Iyin Day 2023: Oluyin, Central Organizing Committee Set Stage For Celebrations

Addressing the pressmen in a press conference held on Thursday at the Palace of the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti Kingdom, the Chairman of the Iyin Ekiti Day 2023 Central Organizing Committee, Pastor Jide Akinleye rolled out the week long programmes thereby marking the commencement of day celebrations. 

According to Akinleye, he said, “the main events will start from Wednesday, November 1st and end on Sunday, November 5th, 2023.

“Akinleye listed the activities to include an Environmental Sanitation on Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 and taking place in schools, markets, public and residential areas between the hours of 8am to 9am in the morning. On the same day, an interdenominational service will hold at the Oluyin Palace Chapel from 10am to 11am; a Visit by the Kabiyesi Oluyin to the vulnerables at the Erelu Adebayo Children Home from 12am to 2pm; an inter-school debate competition preliminaries at the community hall from 3pm to 5pm as well as the Iyin Day 2023 Competitions such as games, Iyin indigenous cuisine cooking Competitions (abari, epipa) for youths and young adult categories all on the first day at different locations in the community.

On the second day, which is Thursday, November 2nd, 2023, the Ekiti State retired Permanent Secretary said, there would be a Medical Outreach from between 9am to 11am at the Oluyin Palace Hall; an inter-school debate competition Semi Finals will also hold at the community hall from 10am to 12pm; the semi finals of the cooking and games competitions will hold from 12pm to 2pm; by 3pm to 5pm, there would be a youth forum, symposium and discussions on the ‘Iyin of My Dream’ at the community hall while by 4pm of the same day, clubbing activities will take place at different locations in the community. 

He revealed further, that, “on Friday, November 3rd, 2023, there would be a scaling of Esa Cave and Okuta Abanijorin from 7:30am to 10:30am and the take off is the Oluyin’s Palace by 7:00am. From 10am to 12pm, the medical Outreach will continue at the Oluyin’s Palace; the finals of the Iyin Day 2023 competitions, inter-school debates and Iyin indigenous cuisine competitions will hold and by, 1pm to 2pm, the Jumat Services will take place at the Iyin Ekiti Central Mosque; from 3pm to 5pm, the finals of the football match will hold at the Saint Michael’s Primary School playground. Also, the Oluyin’s Town Hall Meeting with the Iyin Ekiti Sons and Daughters will hold between the hours of 6pm and 8pm at the community hall. 

Akinleye added that, for Saturday, November 4th, 2023; there would be a blowing of the Upe for awareness creation across the town by the town crier; by 7:30am to 9:30am, there would be a conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles by the Oluyin of Iyin at the palace ground.

“On the last day, which is Sunday, November 5th, 2023, a Thanksgiving Service will hold by 10am at the Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Iyin Ekiti”.

Meanwhile, speaking at the press conference, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti Kingdom, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaye added that there would also be a carnival where raffle draws will be done with lots of gifts to be giving out to Iyin community such as Deep Freezer, Iron, Grinding Machines, Phones and Plasma TV among others. 

“Oba Ajakaiye said that during the ceremony, there will be carnivals and we will have raffle draws. We have a lot of gifts that people are going to win. And fortunately, there are so many things people have contributed like Deep Freezer, Iron, Grinding Machines, Phones, airlines, plasma tvs . 

“During the carnivals, there are some of the things that we are going to give out. And then, the educational competition 6among the students.