- Igbogbo indigenes in Houston celebrated the 3rd Igbogbo Day on Saturday
- Oba Semiudeen Kasali led a delegation from Nigeria to the celebration
- The event highlighted culture, unity and community development
Sons and daughters of Igbogbo Kingdom in the United States have celebrated the rich cultural heritage of their community while renewing their commitment to the development of their ancestral home during the third annual Igbogbo Day held in Houston, Texas, on Saturday.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the three-day celebration, organised by Igbogbo indigenes in the diaspora, brought together community leaders, families, friends, traditional representatives, political figures and other well-wishers to celebrate Igbogbo’s culture, strengthen unity and discuss issues affecting the kingdom
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The event was attended by His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Emugoriade and the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, who led a delegation from Nigeria to Houston for the celebration.
The monarch’s participation underscored the growing relationship between Igbogbo and its people living in the diaspora, with discussions focusing on development, investment, education and opportunities to strengthen ties between the kingdom and the United States.
Before the main celebration, the monarch participated in a series of engagements, including a meet-and-greet, a town hall meeting and discussions with potential American investors as part of efforts to promote Igbogbo as a community open to international partnerships.
Speaking during an interview in Houston, Oba Kasali expressed his appreciation to Igbogbo indigenes in the United States for organising the celebration and maintaining a strong connection with their roots.
He encouraged the community to continue promoting the interests of Igbogbo and working together to ensure that the kingdom benefits from the contributions and expertise of its people at home and abroad.
The monarch’s visit also provided an opportunity for members of the diaspora to interact directly with their traditional ruler and discuss issues concerning the future development of the community.
Among those present at the celebration was Hon. Jimmy Benson, Member of the House of Representatives representing the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, who joined other political and community leaders in celebrating with the Igbogbo people.
The event also featured representatives of the Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area and other community stakeholders.
The Executive Secretary of Igbogbo Ambassadors USA, Dr. Rotimi Bakare, said the organisation was established to contribute to the development of Igbogbo and ensure that indigenes living abroad remained actively involved in the progress of their community.
Bakare said the group had undertaken several projects in schools within Igbogbo, particularly legacy primary schools, as part of its contribution to education.
According to him, the organisation had renovated primary schools, replaced classroom doors and provided benches to improve learning conditions and protect educational materials from damage and vandalism.
He also disclosed that the organisation operated a scholarship programme aimed at supporting students and expanding educational opportunities for young people in the community.
Bakare said the projects were made possible through the contributions of members of Igbogbo Ambassadors USA and expressed appreciation to the organisation’s members for their continued support.
He explained that the group’s activities were driven by the belief that community development should not be left to government alone, stressing that citizens and non-governmental organisations also had important roles to play.
“The purpose of this group is to give back to our community,” Bakare said, explaining that members had continued to identify areas where their intervention could make a meaningful difference.
The celebration also highlighted the importance of strengthening the relationship between Igbogbo residents in Nigeria and those scattered across the diaspora.
Organisers said the presence of the traditional ruler and other prominent Igbogbo indigenes demonstrated that geographical distance had not weakened the bond between the kingdom and its people abroad.
Beyond the cultural festivities, the celebration provided a platform for discussions on governance, infrastructure, education, investment and the future of Igbogbo.
Speakers at the event stressed the need for greater collaboration among political leaders, traditional institutions, community organisations and the diaspora to accelerate development in the kingdom.
There were also calls for Igbogbo indigenes to remain united and contribute their expertise and resources to projects that would improve the quality of life in the community.
The gathering further celebrated the achievements of the Adeboruwa, who has spent about a decade on the throne. Speakers at the event commended the monarch for his efforts to attract development initiatives to Igbogbo and for maintaining close relationships with the community’s sons and daughters abroad.
The event also featured cultural displays and social activities showcasing the identity and traditions of Igbogbo, providing an opportunity for younger members of the diaspora to connect with their heritage.
For many participants, the third Igbogbo Day was more than a social gathering. It served as a platform to preserve cultural identity, strengthen community ties and mobilise support for development initiatives in Igbogbo.
The organisers expressed optimism that the growing involvement of Igbogbo indigenes in the diaspora would lead to more partnerships, investment opportunities and community projects in the years ahead.
The three-day programme is expected to further deepen conversations between the Igbogbo community in Nigeria and its diaspora while promoting the kingdom’s culture and development aspirations on the international stage.
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