It was a great spectacle to behold when members (sons and daughters of Owo kingdom) and their invited guests adorning their beautiful "aso ebi" specially chosen for the event in different styles started arriving for the Owo Kingdom 2015 annual get-together which was held at the Claire View Gardens, an upscale social event centre located at Isheri Olofin, Idimu,Lagos state. 

The event was declared opened by the chairman of the organizing committee, Mr. Niran Samuel Abegunde who announced the take-off with prayers and a welcome address with a subsequent invitation of Chief Henry Oladipupo Ogwatoghose, the Ogwatoghose of Iwo who represented the Olowo of Owo, HRM, Oba David Victor Folagbade  Olateru Olagbegi III, JP, CFR and delivered the good will message from His Majesty and other royal fathers. 

The main central idea behind the event was to foster unity and bring all sons and daughters of Owo kingdom together annually as one big family, to thank God for the year end and discuss developmental issues concerning Owo kingdom. 

The Owo Kingdom comprises all the towns, villages and hamlets in the Owo Local Government of Ondo State, South West Nigeria extending to other Owo speaking communities in the present day Ose Local Government and beyond. The mission of the organizers is to replicate and extend the same in all 36 States of Nigeria and overseas to boost the manpower needs for the development of the kingdom and her people. 

Owo musicians and other entertainers made the day a fantastic day as they entertained the people with their wonderful music dishing out sonorous and melodious tunes while beautiful Owo daughters and handsome sons, their spouses and guests danced freely exhibiting their dancing skills with both the new and old styles to the admiration of all. Musicians/ bands of the night include, indigenous musician Chief Segun Bayode, The Yeye Abobatolu of Owo, who recently returned from a musical tour of the USA, Kunle Orlando Owoh, the son of the legendary Dr. Orlando Owoh of blessed memory, and two prominent female cultural musicians, Mrs Sikirat Eniba Lomo, Mrs. Rita Bosede Abiodun-Aribisala and an upcoming Owo born Hip-Pop Artist with the stage name Holyboy. 

During the quiz time, different gifts were won, chiefly among was the first indigenous Ogho (Owo) dictionary by Chief (Mrs) FAMA Aina Adewale-Somadhi popularly known as Iyalaje Fama around the globe who sent copies and goodwill messages through Mr. Tunde Onibode and was presented to the winners by Mr. Niran Samuel Abegunde, while Chie Segun Bayode and other elders set the questions.

As posited by Mr. Tunde Onibode, the event is not all about drinking, eating and dancing alone, but more of a developmental objective as members moved around freely to introduce themselves, businesses and shared business complimentary cards to each other for future patronage which is one of the cardinal objectives of the annual gathering as he urged for cooperation rather than competition among all and be our brothers’ keepers. Owo kingdom is moving forward and in no time will match up with the big cities.  The sons and daughters of Owo Kingdom are kindhearted, loving and ready to develop Owo Kingdom hence the need for solid co-operation amongst ourselves.

The organizing committee headed by its chairman, Mr. Niran Samuel Abegunde which consists of two subcommittees in collaboration with members of The OwoMade Success Club, Lagos worked assiduously in unison to ensure the success of the event.  Members of the committee are: Mr. Niran Samuel Abegunde (Chairman), Tunde Onibode, Mr. Williams Gbadebo (Gbanson), Mrs. Bola Alade a.k.a Yeyeluwa, Olawale Adeleye, Olumide Obey, Dayo Adetula,Kehinde Obasekonla and Elerewe Tunde Ilori.

The Venue of the event was well lit, arranged and beautifully decorated, The Claire View Gardens, located at Isheri Olofin, by Pipeline Bus Stop, Idimu, Lagos state is owned by an Owo indigene, Abiodun Adebayo Adafin, the newly installed Sobaloju of Iyere Owo who offered the facility free of charge and supported the refreshment arrangement of the committee with a live cow. The environment was well secured with the men of the Nigeria Police Force while members of the Odua People Congress (OPC) kept watch of the parking lots all night with no report of a single pin missing by attendees.  Refreshment (eating and drinking), dancing, business networking and taking of photographs and other activities made the day a day worth remembering. 

Elerewe Tunde Ilori in his statement urged sons and daughters of the kingdom, to rebuild their town. He enjoined them to be united and be patient, noting that the Almighty God will bless their efforts. 

Mr. Adewale Olatubosun Doherty Adegbaye in his own remark called for unity among all and sundry and always thinking of giving back to the community. 

In his closing remarks and vote of thanks/appreciation, the chairman of the planning committee, Mr. Niran Samuel Abegunde flanked by his amiable wife, Idowu Abegunde a.k.a Idowu Ore Body thanked all that contributed one way or the other to the success of the event and commended the way and manner the attendees conducted themselves throughout the event without any issues. He prayed to God to bless Owo Kingdom. 

In attendance were:- Chief Henry Oladipupo Ogwatoghose, Chief Dupe Osurowo, Princess Adedoyin Ogunjobi Soares, Mrs. Ajibike Akinlelu Amobonye aka Aafin Ewa, Mrs. Idowu Abegunde, Mrs. Bukola Onibode,Mr. Adewale Olatubosun Doherty Adegbaye, Mr. & Mrs Tunde Ilori Elerewe, Barrister. Olufemi Idowu Falana -Baamofin of Arepoland, Alex Sikiru Onibode, Mrs. Titilayo Akeredolu- Adekunle (Fabric Marchant),Princess Omoloja, Princess Adetoun Amaka Ojomo, Dare Oluseye, Bode and Ademola Obasekola, Adewale Okogala, Mrs Ajala, Prof Oyibisi, Major Banji Falemu, Adeyeri Brown, Oladapo Atitebi (Chancery Hotel Owo), Wunmi Ogunwusi, Abayomi Seye, Prince Adams, Ogogo Sunday, Adsoji Tele, Ali Obalokun, Olaiya Olikoko, Dealer Adifagbola, Alale Abiodun, Omoba Wale and numerous others... 

See you all in 2016, aseyi sumodon o. Ase

Admin.