Enimere Àkànbí
The fourth edition of Iyake International Festival was a resounding success, as dignitaries, including Indigenes of Adó-Àwáyè from home and abroad, people from Ìsẹ́yìn and Òkè Ògùn zone of the pace setter state gathered at the foot of Ado mountain, Ado-Awaye, Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo state, celebrating the natural wonder of Iyake Suspended Lake with grandeur and excitement.
In his remark, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, said that the enabling environment his government provided for investors to thrive is already yielding positive results.
Governor Makinde, represented by Commissioner for culture and tourism, Wasiu Olatunbosun, expressed readiness to partner investors that have financial capacity to propagate the state’s tourist sites to the world.
In his speech, member representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju state constituency, Honourable Bamidele Adeola, charged the state government to continue to come up with policies to attract more investors.
In their separate goodwill messages, Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Oyebola and Alado of Ado-Awaye, Oba Ademola Folakanmi, described Iyake festival as a major source of revenue for Oke-ogun zone, therefore charged indigenes to complement government’s efforts.
Earlier In his welcome address the Chairman Planning Committee, Bola Olaleye, expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde for prioritizing Tourism in his agenda and specifically endorsing Iyake lake as an international festival.
Highlights of the festival included ancestors message(Iwure), decoration of newly crowned Omidan Iyake by Olori Titilola Folakanmi and cultural dance.
According to natives mythology, a barren woman migrated to the ancient Old Oyó Empire from Ota, Ogun State, despite been loved by many, her barrenness was mocked by some of the locals.
The woman who cried profusely could not handle the mockery, she committed suicide by falling into the lake.
Hence the name ‘Iyake lake’ “the Woman Cried”
Among other wonders a tourist could sighted on the hill were, Ìṣàgè rock, Agbọ́mọfúnyáké pit, Elephant Tree, Verge of dead and living rock.
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