By Funsho Arogundade
Ada, a bucolic community in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria is one town imbued with passion for trade and commerce. The town is also renowned for her rich traditions, cultural heritage and historic sites including MicCom Golf Hotel and Resort —the first private golf resort in Osun State established by the proud son of the town and pioneer indigenous cable manufacturer in Nigeria, Prince Michael Ayantunde Ponle. Ada is also home to Karamba FC, a promising soccer club playing in the third tier of the Nigeria league, NLO Division One League founded and managed by successful attorney, Chief Olusegun Alalade. These two illustrious sons, alongside other members of the Adaland Community Development Association at home and in the Diaspora, are set to host hundreds of dignitaries expected at the 2024 Ada Festival. These Ada indigenes and their friends will converge at the Ada Secondary Commercial Grammar School to celebrate their pristine culture that unites the old and the young and links the past with the present.
Held annually in November, the ancestral celebration —which holds a significant pride of place among the indigenes— is also a vibrant avenue to pay homage to their beloved monarch, Oba (Dr.) Oyetunde Olumuyiwa Ojo, Ogunbodun 1, the Olona of Ada. However, this year edition was a shift from the previous one-day event but a week-long activity by the planning committee. It actually started Wednesday 27 November and ends today Saturday 30 November when the grand finale will be held. The celebration will be preceded by cultural display and homage to Oba Oyetunde Ojo in his palace by different societies and traditional chiefs of the community. The significant parade and procession of Olona Traditional Council of Chiefs and other dignitaries present will also feature the cutting of anniversary cake by the monarch supported by his High Chief (Baale) and members of Ada Elders Council led by Prince Ponle.
Prince Ponle, the business magnate who holds the double national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), is at the forefront of making this year’s festival a memorable one as he has extended invitations to many business and corporate titans. He also hopes the festival will further boost the tourism potential and brand destination experience of visitors who will explore Ada’s sanctuaries, particularly MicCom Golf Resorts.
