Balogun Ibikunle, Popularly known as Kininun Onibudo is one of the heroes of war in Yorubaland, a valiant courageous and passionate warlord was the Balogun of Ibadan who led Ibadan army to many war
During his reign, the wealthy warlord lived on a wide expanse of land with many children and history recorded it that none of the chiefs in Ibadan ever surpassed his record on child bearing and wives
An initiator and reformer of many policies on social justice and fairness to people, Ibikunle’s unprecedented record still remain unbeatable even centuries after his demise
His descendant are not only proud to have been associated with a bravery progenitor and grandfather, they are also ready to go to any length in keeping the memory alive from time to time through periodical celebrations and transforming the compound into a cultural heritage museum
On sunday August 18th 2019, Agbala Ibikunle in Ayeye Area of Ibadan was beehive of activities as thousands of descendant of Ibikunle lineage from all walks of life converged at the compound of the warlord to celebrate “ IBIKUNLE DAY 2019”
The event had in attendance Oyo state commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, Onijado of Ijado, the ancestral home of Ibikunle in Surulere Local government Oba Ahmed Omolegbe, and other prominent indigenes of Ibadan
Led by the Jagun Balogun of Ibadan High Chief Abdulateef Adetokunbo Adem ola , the entire family were adorned in Ankara of the same type and colour which symbolizes unity among the family members
The event featured a palyet on Ibadan with special attention on Ibikunle by Agbala Ogun theatre group and film production and an indigenous music by Alhaji Obadara and his sekere and dundun music band
Speaking on the event, Dr Abass Gbolaha Ibikunle , secretary general Ibikunle family said the annual event is organized to celebrate the good virtues and heroic deed of the late warlord Balogun Ibikunle, “ We was a man of many part though a warrior but also a reformer and social crusader who hates cheating and injustice”
This event is basically to foster unity and expose the younger ones to their ancestral lineage and make them known each other
He maintained that the family want the government take a rightful step in their bid to enlists their family compound as a cultural heritage sites, past administration have done that but it need to be properly done and I am sure with Hon Wasiu Olatubosun as the commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, proper things would be done now because he is one of us
Oyo state commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Wasiu Olatubosun who was honoured at the event commended the organizers for initiating and sustaining such cultural event and disclosed that the state is poised to use culture and tourism to develop economy and create employment
According to him,” Apart from the fact that Oyo state is blessed with a lot of tourism potentials , there are some cultural events just like what we are celebrating today that will be promoted and supported because they will attract local and foreign tourists into the state.
Olatubosun said’ Very soon we will start working on the tourism sites and expose them to the general public so that tourists can visit, we will make information available online and produce documentary about heroes and warrior that are relevant in Ibadan and Oyo state history.
“ Oyo state is a paragon of tourism, we are blessed with a lot of tourism potentials we will work to ensure that some of our sites are enlisted on UNESCO world heritage site and I can assure you that we will utilize this to create wealth and employment as well as boost the economy of the state, we will always have events in that sector and when we do that local and foreign tourists will come, spend their money and our people will benefit.
