ODO-APE 2026: COMMUNITY MARKS ANNUAL DAY FESTIVAL WITH CALL FOR UNITY, DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY

The Odo-Ape community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area came alive on Saturday as indigenes at home and abroad gathered for the 2026 Annual Day Festival, a celebration themed “A Celebration of Heritage and Progress.”
The event drew a mix of traditional rulers, political leaders, and community members, alongside Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade, Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, who represented Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
In his welcome address, Mr. Jethro Kehinde Ologbonyo, National President of the Odo-Ape Development Association, described the day as both a cultural showcase and a fundraising platform for community development. He highlighted the community’s rich heritage, pointing to traditions such as the Egungun festival, the Amoja song, the Egunda festival, and the traditional marriage system.
Ologbonyo stressed the need to safeguard institutions like Iyeolofosi and Iyeolughonle, which he said embody Odo-Ape’s core values of unity and mutual respect. While commending Governor Ododo for his support through donations and infrastructure projects, he also urged the government to tackle pressing socio-economic challenges, including poor roads, limited healthcare and education access, and persistent insecurity.
He reaffirmed the community’s backing for the APC’s _“Renewed Hope”_ agenda and called on attendees to contribute generously to the fundraising drive aimed at driving local development.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, Mrs. Ayoade praised Odo-Ape for its resilience despite security challenges in Kogi West. She noted that the Ododo administration is working deliberately to eliminate insecurity and restore peace across the state.

She urged the people to continue supporting government initiatives and to rally behind Hon. Durosinmi Meseko, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC and a son of Odo-Ape, describing him as a proud representative of the state at the national level. “Your support for him is support for the party and for Kogi State’s success,” she said, while promising sustained government backing for the community.

In his keynote address, Hon. Durosinmi Meseko emphasized that cultural preservation must go hand in hand with progress. He described the festival as proof of Odo-Ape’s resilience, wisdom, and potential, and called on the people to embrace unity, hard work, and collective responsibility.

“The event is a call to action,” Meseko said. “We must pool our resources to drive development, equip our children with modern tools, and support one another in the pursuit of progress.” He urged the community to be ambassadors of peace and to keep the flame of culture burning for future generations.

The traditional ruler, Oba Meseko, also expressed gratitude for the peace and unity within the community, praying that the celebration would inspire stronger collective efforts toward a brighter future.

*Solidarity from Okunland*

Asiwaju Prince Dr. Olatunji Olusoji, the Asiwaju of Ayere Kingdom and Chief Launcher of the event, was represented by veteran journalist Chief Olugbemi Femi. He emphasized that unity and collective effort remain the foundation for positive change, and commended Odo-Ape for showcasing the rich cultural identity of Okunland.

The celebration featured vibrant cultural displays, traditional music, and colorful attire that reflected the heritage and pride of the Odo-Ape people — a reminder that while the community looks forward to development, it remains firmly rooted in its history.

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