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By: Sesan Rufus Awobiye

The Owu indigenes in the diaspora celebrated the second edition of the Odun Omo Olowu in Diaspora in grand style with a series of colourful cultural and royal activities held in London, United Kingdom.

The two-day celebration commenced on Friday, May 8, with a cultural welcome procession at Terminal Two of Heathrow Airport, where Owu sons and daughters, accompanied by drummers and dancers, gathered to receive and pay homage to His Royal Majesty, Oba Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola, Oluyalo Otileta VII, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta.

The first official event of the festival was a town hall meeting held at the All Saints Community Centre, 105 New Cross Road, London SE14 5DJ. The well-attended gathering was formally declared open by the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, alongside the Balogun of Owu Kingdom and former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, who delivered the keynote address.

The event attracted several distinguished personalities and royal fathers, including Chief Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, the Yeye Moremi Oodua; His Royal Majesty Oba Nelson Obayomi, the Olowu of Owu Ikosi Kingdom, Lagos State; His Royal Majesty Oba Gabriel Olateju Adewoye, JP, the Olowu of Owu Isin, Kwara State; His Royal Majesty Oba Wasiu Adeleke Aremu Koleoso, the Olu of Abule Owu Kingdom, Ogun State; His Royal Majesty Oba Abdulwaheed Ayoade Iyanda, the Oluroko of Erunmu Owu Kingdom, Ogun State; and His Royal Majesty Oba Oluwasesan James Ogunmuyiwa, the Elejio of Ejio Kingdom. Also present was the Asipa of Egbaland, High Chief Rasheed Raji.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Omo Olowu Oduru in Diaspora, Engr. Oluyemi Ogundele, appreciated attendees for their presence and encouraged participants to pay close attention to the discussions, especially the historical presentation on the Owu Kingdom delivered by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Speaking during the event, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom commended the organising committee and urged all Owu indigenes across the world to remain united and committed to the progress of the kingdom. He emphasised that all Owu descendants, regardless of their place of residence, remain one family under one kingdom.

Chief Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, speaking on behalf of her husband, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was unavoidably absent, encouraged members of the diaspora community to continue promoting Yoruba cultural heritage and to remain worthy ambassadors of Nigeria.

The event was also graced by the presence of prominent Oloris of Owu Kingdom, including Olori Adijat Matemilola, Olori Ameenah Matemilola, and Olori Florence Adewoye.

The first day concluded with cultural performances by Owu children and an interactive question-and-answer session.

The second day of the festival took place on Saturday, May 9, at the Oasis Banqueting Hall, Barking, London. The venue reached full capacity shortly after guests began arriving, reflecting the growing popularity of the cultural celebration.

Additional royal fathers joined the event, including the guest royal father, His Royal Majesty Oba Prof. Adeyemi Abdulkabur Obalanlege, the Olota of Ota Awori Kingdom, alongside his wife, as well as His Royal Majesty Oba Hameed Adekunle Makama, the Olowu of Owu Kuta, and Olori Jummai Makama.

In his opening remarks, Engr. Oluyemi Ogundele thanked God for the success of the second edition of the festival and expressed appreciation to the Olowu of Owu Kingdom for approving the hosting of the cultural celebration outside Nigeria. He clarified that the diaspora edition was not intended to replace the annual festival held in Abeokuta, but rather to showcase Owu culture and traditions to the international community while encouraging indigenes abroad to remain connected to their roots.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, also addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of preserving cultural heritage, promoting unity, and representing the Owu Kingdom positively across the world.

In his remarks, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom praised the organising committee, the Central Coordinating Body (CCB), and members of Omo Olowu Oduru in Diaspora for their commitment and dedication. He also appealed for support towards ongoing developmental projects in Orile Owu, including the construction of a befitting secretariat and conference hall expected to host the 2026 Owu Convention.

A goodwill message from Senator Ibikunle Amosun, FCA, delivered by Chief Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, congratulated Owu indigenes and friends of Owu worldwide while reiterating the importance of preserving cultural values and maintaining strong ties with their homeland.

One of the major highlights of the event was the performance of traditional cultural rites, beginning with the “Ilasu,” the symbolic cutting of the new yam, which traditionally signifies the commencement of new yam consumption within the kingdom. This was followed by “Abo Oko,” during which subjects presented portions of their harvests to the king as a mark of loyalty and appreciation.

Guests were also entertained with traditional masquerade performances and the “Igbasan” rites, during which canes symbolising the number of years spent by the monarch on the throne were presented to the king.

The celebration was further enlivened by musical performances from Bobby Key and his band.

The event was anchored by Mr. Biodun Ogundipe of Ben TV UK, Mr. Seun Adejare, Princess Moradeun Dada, and Prince Muhad Adetilo.

The successful hosting of the second Odun Omo Olowu in Diaspora once again highlighted the commitment of Owu indigenes abroad to preserving and promoting their rich cultural heritage while strengthening unity among members of the kingdom across the globe.