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To Celebrate The 2025 Akesan Day
Iperu remo in Ogun State came alive on Saturday 29th November, 2025 when the Iperu Akesan Development Association organised the 39th Akesan Day celebration.
It was a week-long event, which had the theme: Building A Stronger & United Iperu Akesanland.
The celebration began on Wednesday 26th November, 2025 with Quiz/Debates @ Akesan Iperu Club 1954 Hall. There was also Baby Show and Free Medical Outreach at Alaperu’s Palace. What followed was Artisans Outreach.
On Day 2, Thursday 27th November, 2025 there was Table Tennis Tournament, Football Final & Beauty Pageant/Youth Night/Empowerment Programme.
On Day 3: Friday 28th November, 2025, there was IDA Projects Dedication at various location, cultural display at Oja Ale Square, Jumat Service at Iperu Central Mosque, Local/Indigenous Games and Ebiripo Night.
On Day 4: Saturday 29th November, 2025 there was the Grand Finale, as Clubs/Associations paid Homage to Royal Fathers, there was also Anniversary Launching/Fund Raising. This was followed by General Reception/Entertainment at Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu-Remo.
And on Day 5: Sunday, 30th November, 2025, there was Thanksgiving Service @ St. James Anglican Church, Iperu Remo.
The Grand Finale was well attended by dignitaries from in and outside Ogun State. Prince Dapo Abiodun was in attendance Otunba Wale Abdul, the Chairman, Akesan Day Celebration Committee gave the Welcome Address. There was Goodwill Message from Ikenne LG Chairman, Hon. Jamiu Asimi Mohammed. There were Royal Greetings from the Iperu Regency Council, Address by the Iperu Akesan Development Association President Otunba Taiwo Oyebanjo. There was Goodwill Messages by the Akarigbo, Chairman & Mother Of The Day, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, the first female Accountant General of Nigeria.
There was Solidarity Message from Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ogun State, Fund Raising/Donations.
The governor gave his Keynote Address and Vote Of Thanks was done by the Vice Chairman, Akesan Day Celebration Committee, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluremi Runsewe.
Hon. Asimi Mohammed Jamiu, Ikenne LG boss said the celebration of Akesan Day is a rallying point for all sons and daughters of Iperu to bring about positive impact to the communities in Iperu/Akesan Land. It is not a gainsay that Iperu land is blessed with influencer personalities who have brought about positive impact at the State and Federal government levels. A living example is the current Chief Executive of Ogun State in person of Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, CON, who is an illustrious son of the soil, his works are transforming the State in all the senatorial districts. Very recently, the Gateway International Airport has been commissioned and commenced flight operations under his able administration.
It should also be mentioned, the influence of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, Accountant General of the Federation (rtd) impact in the nation of Nigeria generally, there are many more but time will not permit me to mention.
Meanwhile, as we celebrate Akesan Day, let us renew our commitment to unity, progress and development of our land. May our cultural heritage drive growth, inspire future generations, and foster a brighter future for all. I commend our commnity leaders, organizers and participants for their efforts in preserving our heritage.
Otunba Wale Abdul, the Chairman, 2025 Akesan Day, Planning Committee revealed how annually the contribution of Sir (Dr) Adebukonla Kessignton Adebutu (CON), Baba Oba and Balogun of peru and Odole Oodua of the Source, our renowned father, continues to be a huge blessing to the entire peru Akesan land. His benevolence in constantly caring for the community is well recognized and applauded. It is therefore no wonder that our Baba has always been undisputed choice as the Father of the Day along side our cherished daughter, the first female Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) (Rtd.), Dr (Mrs) Oluwatoyin Shakirat Madein as the Mother of the Day, whose contribution to lperu land has continued to witness consistent leap over the years.
We also acknowledge the crucial role played by the Executives of Iperu Development Association (IDA) ably led by Otunba Alhaji Taiwo Oyebanjo (Avalon) in setting up the Planning Committee and providing necessary guidance to ensure a successful outcome. I pray that Iperu community will never lack worthy sons and daughters with great leadership traits to lead the community whenever they are called upon to do so.
The Planning Committee at its inauguration on May 31st, 2025, was saddled with two main responsibilities: To plan a remarkable 39th anniversary and to source for funds to execute the events. It is with honour that I stand on behalf of the 2025 Akesan day Planning Committee that the tasks were achieved amidst challenges, sleepless nights, late meetings, long discussions, brainstorming sessions, extensive travelling, appealing to donors and above all praying for the success of all the listed programmes.
On behalf of the entire Iperu sons and daughters, I express my heartfelt appreciation to all members of the Committee, especially the Vice Chairman, Chief Dr (Mrs) Oluremi Runsewe, Mrs Oluwakemi Jolaoso (Secretary), Omoba Taiwo Raji (Treasurer), Omoba Adeboye Elepe, Alhaji Sosinmi Kazeem Oluomo, Mrs Olubunmi Odunsi, Mr Tope Oyekan, Alhaji Ganiyu Ahmed, Prince Gbenga Taiwo Owokalade, Prince Wale Bama Oyekoya, Otunba Adebayo Salami, Mrs Folashade Shotomide, and others for their doggedness, zeal, passion, dedication, hard work, can-do attitude especially when we were faced with funding challenges.
This year’s celebration is coincidentally taking place around the time of celebrations of great descendants of our community in persons of our mother, Chief (Mrs) Victoria Olaitan Abiodun and our father, Sir (Dr) Adebukonla Kesignton Adebutu (GCON), Baba Oba and Balogun of Iperu and Odole Oodua of the Source who both clocked 90 years on the 15th and 24th of October 2025 respectively has lived up to its expectations with the attendance recorded at the venues of all the events lined up. On behalf of the Planning Committee, I appreciate all attendees and participants at the various events.
Without your involvement, there would not have been an event worthy of remembrance in years to come.
We have all gathered once again to celebrate ourselves, our community, our co-existence, our beliefs, our heritage and our common lineage, Akesan. To ensure the celebration is all encompassing, the Planning Committee was deliberate in the selection of a theme for this year’s celebration as the need to come together as a formidable family of Akesan and Ajagbe descendants was paramount. Hence, the choice of the Theme “Building a Stronger and United Iperu Akesan land”.
The Quiz/Debate competition was organised for the students through the Iperu Education Trust Scheme Management Board, proudly sponsored by Barr.
Shotiminu to further enhance their academic prowess while we ensured our babies within the age bracket of 1 month to 6 years were showcased by their parents with varied gifts presented to them by the Planning Committee. The medical outreach, sponsored by Olowo-Oloye Foundation saw our people benefitting from free medical treatment by qualified medical personnels led by Dr. Kayode Oyefule of the Iperu Health Trust Scheme Management Board while all Iperu artisans in their usual character, attended at no cost to attendees who sought for their services. To ensure the youths were adequately involved in the celebrations, the Iperu Akesan Club 1954 played host to the table tennis competition sponsored by Pa David Oyebanjo Osilaja with players taking turns to outplay each other while the final of the football competition organised by the leadership of the youths under their President, Comrade Alhaji Ganiyu Ahmed thrilled the spectators with the skilful flow of football.
The youth empowerment initiative, the beauty pageant and youth night events, which was partly sponsored by our dear brother, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, always steal the show among the youths, and this year was not an exception. The Ebiripo Night (a celebration of the Iperu food delicacy), the Jumat service and the opportunity for everyone to witness the various players of the local games demonstrate their mastery greatly contributed to the excitement of the annual event.
Today being the grand finale of the 39th edition of the Akesan Day is the climax of the annual celebration as it will feature various activities curated for the enjoyment of all friends and well wishers who have come to celebrate with us. We expect all clubs/associations/ families to be part of the parade to pay homage to the Regency Council members, Royal Fathers and other dignitaries while proudly displaying their outfits. The grand arrival of our son and number one citizen of the state, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun (CON), is expected to kick start the second session of today’s event. The last part of the day is designed to allow all clubs/associations/families to enjoy themselves with the music from the guest artist of the day, Alhaji Sulaimon Adio Atawewe.
Before I end my speech, I want us to take a moment to remember our late Kabiyesi, Oba Adeleke Adelekan Idowu Basibo (Odoru V) who joined his ancestors on Thursday, February 6th, 2025, after reigning for 23 years.
His reign witnessed unprecedented development and growth in the socio-economy of Iperu with the significant construction of the Gateway International Airport, Iperu.
