It was more than a celebration of 25 years of student unionism. It was a reunion of generations, a homecoming of culture, and a passionate call for Igbomina sons and daughters to reconnect with their roots.
The atmosphere at the University of Ilorin came alive on Saturday as the Igbomina National Students’ Union (INSU), University of Ilorin Chapter, marked its 25th Anniversary and Igbomina Day with colourful cultural displays, inspiring speeches, awards, and renewed commitments to the future of Igbomina land.
The event drew traditional rulers, community leaders, academics, government officials, alumni, students, and prominent Igbomina personalities united by one message: the future of Igbomina rests in the hands of its people, especially its youth.
Delivering his address, the National President of Omo Ibile Igbomina, Sir Bisi Fakayode, congratulated the Union for sustaining the Igbomina identity over the past two and a half decades, describing the anniversary as “a celebration of unity, excellence and selfless service.”
However, he reminded the gathering that celebrations should also inspire action.
According to him, insecurity, youth unemployment and developmental challenges confronting many Igbomina communities require collective responsibility.
He disclosed that Omo Ibile Igbomina had declared a state of emergency on security across Igbomina land and was promoting a community-based security compact involving traditional rulers, local hunters, vigilantes and conventional security agencies.
Fakayode also reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to the peaceful and constitutional campaign for the creation of an Igbomina State, describing the aspiration as a quest for equitable development, administrative cohesion and fair representation.
Perhaps his strongest appeal was directed at the younger generation.
He urged students to become ambassadors who would encourage successful Igbomina sons and daughters living outside their ancestral communities to return home regularly, invest in local economies, support schools and healthcare facilities, create jobs and actively participate in community development.
“A community that remains connected to its people naturally becomes safer, stronger and more prosperous. Regular human presence and economic activities are effective tools against insecurity”, he said.
The Guest Speaker, Dr. Tayo Simeon Arinde, built on the same theme, urging the youth to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Igbomina while embracing innovation and technology.
Speaking on the theme, “Celebrating Our Legacies, Embracing Our Future,” Arinde described the celebration as a timely reminder that communities thrive when they honour their history without becoming imprisoned by it.
He painted nostalgic pictures of the communal life that once defined Igbomina communities, from shared meals and communal farming to traditional festivals and conflict resolution mechanisms, calling on the younger generation to preserve those enduring values.
According to him, embracing the future means transforming the wisdom of the elders into modern solutions through mechanised agriculture, technology, entrepreneurship and innovative approaches to tackling insecurity.
Arinde also commended the leadership of Sir Bisi Fakayode for introducing initiatives aimed at strengthening unity among Igbomina people across different communities.
Earlier, the Executive President of INSU, Comrade Ajibaye Moshood Olanrewaju (Sen. Alaremu), expressed gratitude to members of the Union, alumni, sponsors and supporters for standing by his administration throughout its tenure.
Describing the opportunity to serve as one of the greatest honours of his life, he said the anniversary represented not only the celebration of the Union’s history but also a moment to appreciate everyone who contributed to its growth.
He urged the incoming leadership to sustain the ideals of unity, integrity, academic excellence and selfless service while building on the achievements of previous administrations.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities who have made notable contributions to education, public service, media, community development and the advancement of Igbomina land.
Among those honoured were former Chief Press Secretary to governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Dr. Rafiu Ajakaye; Director, Cooperate Affair, Unilorin, Alhaji Chief Kunle Akogun; the Staff Adviser, INSU, Unilorin, Dr. T. S. Arinde; Protocol Officer, Unilorin, Mr. Oluwasegun Alabi; Deputy Registrar, Academic Support Services, Unilorin, Mrs. Toyin Temitope Adeoti; Mall. Mustafa Muhammad Abubakar of Cooperate Affair, Unilorin, and Vice Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof. Abdullateef Oladimeji, among others.
Beyond the speeches and awards, the Silver Jubilee became a celebration of identity and purpose.
From repeated calls for unity to passionate appeals for investment in ancestral communities, the gathering sent a clear message that the future of Igbomina will depend not only on government interventions but also on the willingness of its people to reconnect with home, preserve their heritage and work together for lasting peace and development.
