By Emmanuel Onwusoro, Ado-Ekiti
Saturday, June 6, 2026 will remain indelible in the memories of the Igbo community in Ekiti state. It was a day the people rolled out the drums to celebrate the Igbo Cultural Day, powered by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ekiti State Chapter, under the leadership of the President-General, High Chief (Sir) Alexander Ndubuisi, KSJI.
It was a day the entrepreneurial magnet led the sons and daughters from across the sixteen local government areas of Ekiti state to an occasion that has continued to take place every four years. They were joined by friends, business associates, well-wishers and others from far and wide at the Ekiti parapo pavilion. An event that initially looked as if the venue was too large for the number of those in attendance, but as the day progressed, people trooped in, in their numbers prompting the occupation of every part of the twelve thousand capacity-seat pavilion.
The number one citizen of Ekiti state, governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who was the chief guest attended alongside his counterparts from Imo and Kogi states, the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Alhaji Usman Ododo of Kogi states. Their arrival animated the entire atmosphere and added glamour to the celebration. And since the inception of the celebration of Igbo Cultural Day in the state years ago, the striking feature remains that the 2026 was the first time two sitting governors from outside the state would physically honour the event.
But it should not be ignored that their presence was facilitated or made possible by their colleague, governor Biodun Oyebanji. They did not only attend, but magnanimously promised the donations of handsome amount of money as part of their contributions towards the building of an ultra-modern secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Ekiti state.
The state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, in his address said his government will continue to provide an enabling environment for the businesses of the Igbo to flourish and ensure that the harmonious relationship continues.
Imo state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, appreciated the harmonious relationship the Igbo in the state have maintained with their host communities. He appealed to them to cast their ballots to ensure the re-election of the incumbent governor.
The chief host and the helmsman of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state, High Chief Alexander Ndubuisi, described the occasion as another milestone recorded in the annals of the Igbo in the state. He underscored the prevailing cordial relationship between the people of Ekiti and his subjects in every facet of human endeavour. Adding that the businesses of the Igbo have been thriving and flourishing in a positive enabling environment.
He assured governor Oyebanji that the Igbo known as peace loving people will not compromise being peaceful with their neighbours. The Ohanaeze chief was optimistic that the gestures of the governor to the Igbo community would be reciprocated through the ballots.
Meanwhile, Ndubuisi, says he remains grateful to the Almighty Father who made the day possible and seized the rains till the end of the event. He also appreciates the Igbo across the state who sacrificed attending to their means of livelihood and came to add to the number that made the turnout overwhelming.
