The Olugbode family in Ibadan has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is expected in Ibadan at the first Owu Day anniversary with other dignitaries.
The family members spoke in Ibadan, on Thursday during their visit to the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun.
Teslim said the visit was to keep the state government abreast of the preparation by the descendants of Owu, under the umbrella of the ‘Royal Union of Owu People in Ibadan, for the event.
The family, led by Chief Teslim Olugbode, said Ibadan is of interest to the Owu people as no fewer than 300 households of the descendants of the Owu progenitors are domiciled in the city.
He added that Ibadan hosted the ancient warriors of Owu more than Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
He stressed that the Owu people in Abeokuta moved from Ibadan after the old superiority war in the then Yoruba Kingdom, saying , “Owu people spread all over the country and abroad since then.”
According to him, the first Owu Day in Ibadan, billed for October 31, is not fixed to be in contention with the annual Owu celebration held in Abeokuta.
The Ibadan event, he said, would be used to bring together the descendants of the ancient family for the benefit of all.
He said, “The Owu Day in Ibadan is to bring us together. The Oyo State governor and our father, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, will be in attendance alongside other notable Owu descendants and other lovers of Owu people.
“The people often ask that why do we have so many Owu people in Ibadan than Abeokuta, we tell them that our people moved from Ibadan to settle at Owu Abeokuta. The event on the 31st of October this year will help our people, young and old, to know more about their own history and their own people.”
The Commissioner said the state was in support of the family for the success of Owu Day in Ibadan as it would go a long way to attract tourists from all corners of Nigeria and abroad to Ibadan.
He enjoined the family to continue to support the current administration in the state for socio-economic development.
