- Olori Aribike Adewale sustained her 16-year tradition of celebrating children despite last year’s break and challenges surrounding this year’s event.
- Community leaders urged parents to pass on good character, discipline, and cultural values to the younger generation.
- The annual Children’s Party promoted unity, cultural preservation, and the welfare of children as part of the 175th Kayokayo Festival.
Joy and excitement filled the Marina Waterfront, Epe, as Olori Aribike Adewale hosted her annual Children’s Party as part of activities commemorating the 175th edition of the Kayokayo Festival.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the event brought together hundreds of children from across Epe Kingdom for a memorable day of games, entertainment, music, dancing, gifts, and refreshments, reinforcing the importance of nurturing the younger generation while preserving the cultural and religious heritage of the kingdom.
Speaking at the event, Olori Aribike Adewale revealed that the annual children’s celebration has been a tradition she has sustained for 16 years. She explained that last year’s edition could not hold because she was in mourning, while the organising committee was also unable to prepare for the event.
She disclosed that despite suggestions that this year’s celebration should also be suspended, she insisted on keeping the tradition alive because of the children.
“This programme has been part of my life for 16 years because I have great love for our children. We could not hold it last year because I was mourning, and the committee was not prepared. Some people suggested we should also suspend it this year, but I insisted that the children must not be disappointed. I decided to bear the entire responsibility myself because seeing the joy on their faces is worth every sacrifice,” she said.
Olori Aribike Adewale added that investing in children is one of the greatest legacies anyone can leave behind, urging parents and guardians to instill good morals, discipline, and respect in their children so they can become responsible leaders in the future.
Alhaja Alade Raji commended Olori Aribike Adewale for her unwavering commitment to children over the years, describing the initiative as a priceless investment in the future of Epe Kingdom.
She urged parents to consciously pass on values of honesty, compassion, humility, and the fear of God to their children, noting that the strength of any community lies in the character of its young people.
“The greatest inheritance we can leave for our children is not wealth but good character. When we raise children with strong moral values, we secure a brighter future for our families and our community,” she said.
Also speaking, High Chief Muyideen Shobaloju emphasized that every generation has a responsibility to prepare the next for leadership.
He encouraged the children to embrace education, remain respectful to their parents and elders, and preserve the traditions of Epe Kingdom, stressing that they are the future custodians of the community’s heritage.
“The future of Epe is in the hands of these children. Let us guide them with wisdom, encourage them to pursue education, and teach them to uphold the values that have kept our community united for generations,” he said.
The President of Oke-Balogun Descendants noted that preserving culture begins with teaching children to appreciate their roots. He described the annual children’s gathering as an avenue for strengthening family bonds while introducing younger generations to the traditions and values that define Epe Kingdom.
He urged families to remain intentional in raising children who will be proud ambassadors of their heritage and contributors to the growth of their community.
In her goodwill message, Alhaja Onibo encouraged parents to be deliberate in nurturing children with love, discipline, and sincerity, saying that a child who grows up with good values becomes a blessing to society.
She prayed for divine protection, wisdom, and success for every child present, asking God to guide them throughout their lives.
Similarly, Alhaja Nurat Abass stressed that children should be raised in an atmosphere of love, peace, and faith. She encouraged parents to lead by example, reminding them that children often learn more from what they see than from what they are told.
She offered prayers for the children, asking Allah to grant them sound health, knowledge, long life, and bright futures, while also praying for lasting peace, unity, and continued progress in Epe Kingdom.
The event featured exciting games, cultural performances, music, dancing, gift presentations, and interactive activities, leaving the children with memorable experiences as they joined in celebrating the 175th Kayokayo Festival.
