The Asiwaju of Ibeshe Kingdom and Chairman of the Ibeshe Kingdom Development Association (IKIDASS), Chief Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya, has called on indigenes of Ibeshe living in the diaspora to return home and actively contribute to the development of their ancestral community.
Chief Olusanya made the call in an exclusive interview with AKAB Media Communications Concept on the first day of the ongoing Ibeshe Carnival, noting that the annual festival was conceived to reconnect Ibeshe sons and daughters with their roots and promote unity and sustainable development.
According to him, the carnival, which holds every December, has been strategically fixed for the second and third weeks of the month to align with the holiday period, making it easier for those abroad to plan their return. “With the opportunity of technology, they can see what is happening now. They should come home,” he said.
The IKIDASS chairman expressed concern over the state of some parts of the community, describing them as dilapidated due to years of neglect. He urged indigenes to channel their resources toward rebuilding Ibeshe rather than investing solely abroad.
“America is not their home. Europe is not their home. This is their home. You have to labour and invest in your home to make it a better place,” Olusanya stated.
He explained that what began as a one-day cultural idea quickly expanded into a full-scale festival because of the overwhelming support from community stakeholders.
“When the idea was written, first it was a day. They were all very happy. Instantly, they all rose up. And in the grand finale, you will see wonders,” he said, stressing that unity and shared vision are key to the kingdom’s progress.
Chief Olusanya added that the festival is deeply rooted in culture and identity, describing heritage as the foundation of any people. “This is our identity, this is our tradition, this is who we are. If we lose our identity, then we lose who we are as a people,” he said, noting that the celebration does not conflict with any religious belief.
He further revealed that the carnival is being used as a tool to promote tourism, expose children in the diaspora to their roots, and showcase ongoing transformation in commerce, institutions and infrastructure within Ibeshe Kingdom.
Highlighting youth engagement as a major focus, the IKIDASS chairman said special programmes have been designed to harness the energy of young people and rewrite negative narratives about the area. He noted that peace, unity and youth inclusion are critical for attracting investment and ensuring sustainable growth in the community.
