The Organising Committee of Iyamoye Day 2026 has called on all indigenes of Iyamoye-Ijumu Kingdom (Ọmọ Arọdẹ Dinrin Po’mo, home and abroad,) in Kogi, at home and in the diaspora, to return home for the annual celebration holding on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The Chairman of the Planning and Organising Committee, Alhaji Sheriff Bello, made the call in a press statement issued on Wednesday.
Bello said the event would begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Model Primary School, Iyamoye, in Ijumu Local Government Area of the state.
He described Iyamoye Day as more than an annual festival, saying it was a homecoming, a reunion of families and a celebration of the people’s identity.
“It is that special occasion when farmers and professors, traders and captains of industry, young and old, leaders and followers, and our people from far and near come together,” he said.
According to him, this year’s edition is expected to be “colourful, memorable and impactful”.
The chairman listed unity, culture and community development as the three main reasons indigenes should attend.
On unity, Bello said the celebration offered an opportunity for people to reconnect, reconcile, renew friendships and strengthen family ties.
“A united Iyamoye is a stronger Iyamoye,” he said.
On culture, he said the event would showcase the traditions, values and heritage of the Ọmọ Arọdẹ through cultural displays and community interactions.
He added that this would help educate children and introduce the kingdom’s heritage to visitors and well-wishers across the world.
On development, Bello disclosed that organisers were targeting N500 million for the construction of an ultramodern Skill Acquisition Centre and other community development projects.
He said the project would create opportunities for youths, equip young people with practical skills and empower women and widows.
It would also promote entrepreneurship and strengthen the local economy, he added.
“The future of Iyamoye cannot be left to chance. It requires our collective commitment, sacrifice and support,” he said.
The chairman urged indigenes to make necessary arrangements to attend, reschedule other engagements where possible and mobilise family and friends.
He noted that distance should not erase the people’s roots, whether they live in Abuja, Lagos, other parts of Nigeria or abroad.
Bello made the appeal on behalf of the Regent of Iyamoye-Ijumu, High Chief Iliasu Babatunde Aminu, the Obadofin of Iyamoye-Ijumu Kingdom, and members of the Traditional Council.
He also spoke for the National Executives of the Iyamoye-Ijumu Development Union (IDU), led by Alhaji Adeyemi Abubakar Shittu, and the entire planning committee.
He concluded the statement with the kingdom’s rallying call: “Ire Iyamoye A s’oju gha gbogbo. Iyamoye Agbe gha O!”
