WHY BURIAL PARTY/FUNERAL CEREMONY WILL CONTINUE TO BE A TABOO IN AYETORO COMMUNITY.

+Short History of Ayetoro Community in Ilaje Land.

Despite all razzmatazz, glamour and sophistication attached to burial event in Yoruba and Ibo land by celebrating their departed ones but many people have become so curious and surprise that these flamboyant parties and ceremonies had remained a strong taboo in Ayetoro, a Christian Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State and a tribe within the Yoruba context.

After over 72 years of its existence the people of Ayetoro Community has blatantly and rigidly hold on to their religious belief by refusing to join the fray of other Nigerians tribes who had since subscribed into the social maladies of huge investments that is associated with  many octane funeral parties.

Till the time of filling these reports, it is still highly regarded as a taboo and abomination that has no remedy but with strong penalties that may resulted into anything for whosoever among members of Ayetoro Community violates the tradition.

But members of Ayetoro Community are free to celebrate naming ceremony, elevation, promotion, chieftaincy, wedding, appointments and sundry worthy or seeing as elevating humanity. 

One of the stern warnings from an Elder in Ayetoro Community to their Descendants on Funeral Parties, “God forbids ! No member of our church will try that. However, if there is, the person will face excommunication, i.e. the person will no longer be a member of the church because the person does not believe in the teachings of the church and we have only one church, i.e. The Holy Apostles Church.

Among the many peculiarities that stand Ayetoro Community out of the pack as a distinct Yoruba Community is the sustenance of their cultural heritage, customs ideology, traditions and religious beliefs foiling all foreign philosophical infiltrations? 

In fact, different literature reviewed by different scholars and media write-ups on the peculiarities, cultural beliefs and the historical perspectives of Ayetoro Community confirms that expensive burial parties is alien to their tradition while members are forbidding from all forms of involvements in funeral ceremonies.

The various leaders of Ayetoro Community at different times and occasions authoritatively reaffirm that funeral ceremonies are taboo in the community and to  an average member of Ayetoro Community expenses on funeral ceremonies are regarded as just as a waste of resources time and energy as the huge expenses will not wake the death but mere frivolities.

THE AYETORO HOLY APOSTLES COMMUNITY CHURCH:                         The fundamental belief of the members of the Holy Apostles Church [HAC] with Spiritual Headquarters at Ayetoro Community is Jesus Christ is the head of the church and also believes in all the things which Jesus has prescribed and laid down for the Apostles in the Bible.

But with regards to burial ceremony, the teachings of the Holy Apostles Church,[HAC] Ayetoro Community  does not subscribe to it. So, members of the Church and Community don’t partake in burial ceremonies and If a member died they prepare the corpse for burial same day at a designated burial ground while a last respect is paid to the soul of the departed.

After that, there is no drinking, eating or dancing whatsoever the Community  deliberately disregard burial ceremony because they perceived the  idea  as wasting  of money while these same fund can be spent on other family members or  relatives are still alive because they believe suffering is not God’s will for the Ayetoro People.

 HRH OBA AKINLUWA,3RD OGELOYINBO OF AYETORO COMMUNITY

Backing their stand with Biblical references; that Jesus Christ even told the Pharisees that they should allow the death to bury themselves which was a reference to today flamboyant burial ceremonies.

Crying or mourning over the death of any body is a natural phenomenon which cannot be avoided. So, it is not forbidden but cursing oneself while crying or mourning is forbidden. You must not curse yourself for any reason in Ayetoro Community.

THE EVOLUTION OF AYETORO COMMUNITY, IN ILAJE:           Digging further into historical facts on Ayetoro Community, it was revealed that at the point of the establishment of the Community in 1946.

This move was instigated by a religious movement refers to as Apostles and their Evangelists who were at the vanguard of championing the abolition of the killing of twins and other harmful traditional practices in Ilajeland.

Though, the native Ilaje People were said to have initially resisted this new movement as the gospellers were confronted with strong oppositions but later courted the displeasures of Ilaje land.

Their preaching was perceived as a way of ridiculing Ilaje traditional practices and so, the Apostles were persecuted and this persecution continued throughout 1943 till 1946.

From the historical perspective, Ayetoro Community finally came into being from after a spiritual occurrence that culminated into a reality to be precise it happened exactly sometimes in December of the preceding year, a spiritual revelation came while the people were holding a conference.

It was at that point that Lord inspired one of them that they should leave that places for the land chosen by God for them and that was how they commenced their migration in the mid night of 12^th January,1947 to a virgin land now called Ayetoro Community.

It must also be noted the members of the movement spread across the towns and village of Ilaje land but because of that spiritual injunction the movement decided to look for a place of their own where they can practice their new religion without molestation.

The establishment of the Ayetoro Community Church known as the Holy Apostles Church of Ayetoro was not also without resistance from other Ilajes who challenged them of illegal occupation of the virgin land.

History also has it that the native authorities were not pleased with the illegal occupation of the land and so many of the pioneer settlers at Ayetoro Community were arrested and taken to Ilaje Native Court, but in May,1946 there was a meeting at Eruona Community where a treaty was signed by Ilaje Native Authority personified by the duo of Olugbo of Ugbo and Amapetu of Mahin as the overlords of Ilaje land.

This Treaty agreement was signed in the presence of the then District Officer [DO] with Three Apostles representing Ayetoro Community and Church signed the agreement that has the endorsement of  Amapetu and Olugbo who counter signed and that was how Ayetoro Community came into being legally.

Both Oral and Documented History further clarified that Ayetoro became a full-fledged Communal Practice akin to Communist Government a year after the when the first settlers set their foot on that virgin land in 1948.

At the first one year in 1947, the people were still working or doing things on their own independently but in 1948 the leadership decided that they should combined their resources together to have a common purse so that the resources can go round to cater for members of the church.

 It was from that point that all the basic necessities of livelihood were provided for the members by the church like housing, clothing, feeding and accommodation. And that was exactly what gave birth to Ayetoro as the first Community in Africa practicing a system on native government administration akin to the Communism Practice in Russia in 1948.

This practice which was akin to communist way of life was not exactly communist practice like that of Russia but a practice of early  Christian Church where they put their resources together to cater for members of the church and they were providing basic necessities for their members up to 1968- precisely from 1948 to 1968.

MODIFICATION TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF AYETORO COMMUNITY IN 1968:

After the first 20 years of the establishment of Ayetoro Community the administration of the Communal System and ways of life witnessed a slight modification in 1968.

There was a modification where individuals were now allowed to own properties of their own and for a seamless transition from that akin Communism system to something similar to socialism.

 HRH OBA MICAH OLASEENI AJIJO,6TH OGELOYINBO OF AYETORO COMMUNITY,ILAJE

The leaders worked out that a 30percent  income of every member would go to the central purse, 30percent would be the circulating capital and the remaining 40percent would be for your personal running which members are officially given to do personal purchase or spending.

Moreover, there was a specific modification on housing, the community decided that when an individual wanted to build a house of his/her own, the community would be responsible for certain materials as support or contribution.

For instance, corrugated iron sheet, long and short piles that was why Ayetoro Community became the first Ilaje Town where houses were built on piles and tiles called ‘Eghan and Tubele’ in Ilaje language.

The community would provide short piles (Tubele) and long piles (Eghan) and the cross bars, then the roofing and from the persons own and that was the exact practice up to 1978.

FINAL LIBERALISATION IN AYETORO COMMUNITY IN 1978

After another 10years of the slight modification of the administrative system, Ayetoro Community witnessed the final face of the total liberalization starting in 1978.

At this points individuals were now allowed to provide everything they need to build up their houses but the community will still provide land free of charge after the person might have applied for it while members are allowed to owned any properties of their choice.

The only requirement that is very compulsory for members to own a land is just to put up an Application to the Palace but before you can apply, you must have certified certain conditions like having or procure some specific materials for verifications like roofing sheet, short and long piles.

 And whoever that has certified these requirements that will convinced the community that the applicant is ready to build a house and so a land will be allocated to him/her and that is the system that is still in operation till date.

The Ayetoro Community can today still boast to have been the first community to have independent power generation over 50years ago, first Community Technical College, a Community Primary and Secondary School, Free Bakery, Laundry Services, Tailoring, Carpentry, Building and other Technical Training Courses for members.

Ayetoro Community also invested in Boats, Trawlers, Fishing Boats, Ships, Properties outside the shore of Ilaje, Expose the Community Members to Qualitative Urban Life, Well Secured Community and other amenities.  

 

  

 

 

 

 

SEE WHAT THIS ILAJE HONOURABALE,AKINJO PROMISED AND SEE WHAT HE’S DOING NOW.

  

Beyond electioneering party or ethnic boundaries this Ilaje Honourable has passed his boundary for standing by his electioneering promises by making life more meaningful for the masses of the oil rich NigerDelta Communities of Ilaje/EseOdo in Ondo State.

After spending more than four years at the National Assembly,[NASS] HONOURABLE KOLADE VICTOR AKINJO,MEMBER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPRESENTNG ILAJE/ESEODO FEDERAL CONSTITUECY stands in a towering height above some of his compatriots in area of delivering on his mandate of office.

Hon.Akinjo made many pledges and which he has delivered many and on several occasions he has demonstrated his caring heart and humane nature taking risk to make life more fulfilling to the good people of Ilaje/EseOdo and even to citizen of other lands with his people oriented bills he has been sponsoring and intellectual contributions to discussions at the floor of the House. 

For avoidance of doubt ILAJESTAR247 here document HON.AKINJO’S sacred pledges to the people of his Constituency and some picture highlighting his communal activities…

AKINJO PLEDGE THAT HIS PEOPLE WILL HAVE UNHINDERED ACCEESS TO HIM

I will open my doors without restriction to the people. I will not allow an artificial political Berlin wall between myself and my constituents. I will bring government and good governance to the doorsteps of our people. 

I will devote the best of my time to fighting for the weak and dialoging with the strong. I will see my mandate as a Divine Mission that must yield greater opportunities and prosperity for our people and our land.

 I will be fully committed to the philosophy and principles of our party. I will showcase and obey their supremacy continually by regularly conducting Town Hall meetings for all stakeholders to discuss the way forward for Ilaje/Ese-Odo. 

I will vigorously pursue and implement the concept of our people being the pillars and bastions of our democracy.

HON.AKINJO ADDRESSING THE PEOPLE DURING ONE OF HIS USUAL TOWN-HALL MEETINGS

AKINJO  PLEDGE EMPOWERMENT FOR ILAJE/ESEODO PEOPLE

I will invoke and implement empowerment projects with the belief that: ‘men are natural heads’, ‘the woman is the nation’, and ‘the youth are the baronial energy of any thriving nation’. 

Accordingly, I will always insist that the socioeconomic empowerment of men, women and youth are dictates of the divine will of God as well as sacrosanct must-do assignments for all political servant-leaders. 

I will also insist that the fulcrum of these empowerment projects is a ‘do it differently’ mentality. This mentality which advocates the take-off of empowerment projects starting with consultations with the people, so as to oblige them the opportunity of setting-forth their priority needs and directly being involved in the process of creating and implementing sustainable empowerments projects that are capable of successfully tackling poverty. 

My time in the House will witness marathon empowerments characterized by people's choices and maximum benefits devoid of any abracadabra. I will work assiduously to create sufficient political coverage that can help tackle all problem facing our land.

AKINJO  PLEDGE ADVOCACY AT THE PARLIAMENT[NASS]

With the mandate of the people bestowed on me, I will hit the ground running. I will legislate using the pen of truth and etiquette. I will devote myself to legislative research anchored on intellectual thoroughness. 

I will fuel my advocacy spirit at the Parliament 24/7 with the Ilaje/Ese-Odo style of vibrancy, astuteness, eclecticism and indefatigability. 

I will service my legislative authority with stubborn refusal to keep silent on the floor of the House when occasion demands intellectual submissions for our people. 

Through legislative advocacy, dialogue and lobbying, I will tirelessly draw Federal Government’s attention and secure its intervention for the speedy resolution of the infrastructural challenges of deficiencies of our constituency. 

With traditional Ilaje/Ese-Odo courage, I will conduct myself as a legislative lion in the House; and not keep quiet like a timid legislative ant. The hallmark of my legislative model will be courage and intellectualism and this will be reflected in the Bills I will conscientiously sponsor and pursue to tackle our challenges.

AKINJO  PLEDGE DEVELOPMENTAL SYNERGY

I will advocate and work for a new developmental paradigm of effective harmony amongst Federal, State and Local Government development-producing institutions within our constituency. This assisted synergy will guarantee effective consultation, proper budgeting, speedy project delivery, and efficient project monitoring. 

The synergy is indeed a contemporary strategy of development that is widely known and it is supported by the limpid maxim that “life begins to die in us when we keep our eyes off the things that matter to our people”. No doubt, our people and our land need development. No doubt that no amount of time or resources expended in this course is wasted.

Check Out Sizzling Pictures of the "Day ILAJE SKY TURNS BLUE” for Oba Odidiomo,Olu of Igbokoda

Follow us to navigate through this Pictorial Presentations of the day “Ilaje Sky Turns Blue” during the OLU OF IGBOKODA, His Royal Highness[HRH],OBA [BARRISTER] AFOLABI OLADIMEJI ODIDIOMO sixth years  coronation anniversary,2017

Though the talk of the town Sixth Years Coronation anniversary of the most ideological, philosophical and culturally inclined ILAJE Monarch of highest repute.








The OLU OF IGBOKODA, His Royal Highness[HRH],OBA [BARRISTER] AFOLABI OLADIMEJI ODIDIOMO has come and gone but the echoes of the echoes generated by the event still reverberated across and beyond the shore of Ilajeland.

 And as a mark of respect to OLU of IGBOKODA, Oba Odididomo ILAJESTAR Star here presents some of the sizzling pictures of the octane event gotten from the Kings archives but was were captured by the lens of the ace photographer,FELA WILLIAMS ADARI.

 In just 6yrs of his remarkable reign Igbokoda and by extension Ilajeland  has benefitted immensely to the courageous, compassionate and committed disposition of Kabiyesi, OBA ODIDIOMO as steady peace, progress, unity, good welfare of the citizens  and development are recorded and clearly noticed across the land.

 OBA ODIDI, has also been stretching his hand of fellowship to other great monarchs in Yoruba Land including nurturing a very cordial relationship with the OONI OF IFE,His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja the first.

 ROYAL HIGHNESSES;OONI OF IFE,OBA ADEYEYE OGUNWUSI &
OBA AFOLABI ODIDIOMO,THE OLU OF IGBOKOKDA,ILAJELAND

As a digitalized and highly urbane social media savvy King, after his first official visit to the Palace of Ooni of Ife, the OLU of IGBOKODA wrote a classical and literarily scripted piece ILAJE STAR copied from his Facebook Page…

“Empty heads think everything is about money. It did not take me time to know that it is the empty barrels that make the loudest noise.

 This is my first time to ever meet this Ooni, gentleman per excellence. A humble man, intelligent and outspoken. 

A man who wants to build a bridge for Yoruba unity and not to pretend to resolve imaginary crises among Yoruba Obas.

 AROLE MA BA ISE RE LO”

All hail our Kabiyesi,

Ki ade ko pe lori,ki bata ko pe lese ase.

Godbless our Oba,

Long Live Olu of Igbokoda,

Long live Ilajeland.

READ AKINBUWA'S EMOTIONAL WRITE UP ON AYETORO COMMUNITY

Tpl.Yomi Hohn Akinbuwa,

IS DISCOVERY OF OIL IN ILAJE
 (AYETORO COMMUNITY) 

A BLESSING OR CURSE?

 Why I asked this question is that,my community that was known as a beautiful city, well designed and from where Ondo State got her layout design and building standard.
The community is in a pathetic situation. In spite the Intervention Agencies set up for the oil producing areas,that is OSOPADEC, NDDC and Ministry of Niger Delta and presence of Multi -National oil companies that carried out exploration and exploitation of oil in the Area, there is no project (s) to show for development from the authority in charge of the area or the multinational oil companies operating in the area.Most of the projects awarded are left uncompleted and abandoned. 
There are no social amenities like electricity, hospital, good schools, market, drinking water etc.In my community, Ayetoro,more than half of our land have been washed away by sea incursion and our houses are being destroyed.Its now, I know that restiveness in Niger Delta is caused by our governments because they fail to do their responsibilities.
The people are neglected and thereby make the people feel not important to government therefore this could make the people not to cooperate with government in whatever form.For government in all levels must be able to carry out their responsibilities.See the pictures of Ayetoro community before and after oil exploration and exploitation in the area. 
Do you know that up till now Ayetoro community is yet to get response from the Intervention agencies mandated to cater for oil producing areas.Goverment must know this, that it is the exploration and exploitation of oil in Ayetoro community that caused us this calamities. 
We implore the authority concern to attend to the plight of Ayetoro community people because our people are suffering.We can not sit down and see our land and houses washing away by sea incursion and flood.

SOURCES:Copied from his Facebook Page 

WHAT IS NEXT FOR OKE AFTER 'CHOPPING' SAN ?

 …As He Vows to Remain In AD. 

CHIEF OLUSOLA OKE,SAN,AD GUBER CANDIDATE IN ONDO GUBER 2016

What is next for CHIEF OLUSOLA OKE ?, the 2016  Alliance For Democracy, AD guber Flagbearer has become the common rhetorical questions on the lips of many political watchers of Ondo State Politics following his last week declaration that has no plan to dump the party that gave him the governorship ticket.

An uneasy calm was witnessed among some of his followers and across all the other political camps that has sympathy and very loyal to the Ilaje frontline politician that recently got elevated at the bench into the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, cadre, Oke’s political ambitions and interest.

ILAJESTARS POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT who monitored the latest development and was opportune to speak with some political leaders of AD in Okes camp report that majority of the followers left the meeting venue dejected with mixed feeling following Oke declaration that he has no plan to leave the AD Party despite losing the last election.

Oke who clears the air over the rumour milling around over his purported defection plan back to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as being peddled following a media report that he held a meeting with former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in company of some other PDP Leaders in South West.

He told hundreds of his political followers and supporters from across the 18 Local Government in the state who were present at the meeting held in his palatial mansion inside the Ijapo, GRA, Akure, the State Capital.

Oke reaffirmed his commitment and total loyalty to his party, AD saying, “I have no intention of dumping AD, or planning to cross carpet to any other party, this is still the best place wher my political future and those of my followers can best be guarantee”    

With that declaration political watchers and analyst of the Ondo State politics have started different postulation on what might be the major reason why Oke still want to remain in AD Party.

Avery popular, Ilaje-Born but Akure based Political Analyst and Commentator who speak under condition of anonymity confined in ILAJESTAR 247 Correspondent that Oke may be banking on the whopping vote he pool from the Southern Senatorial District during the last November, 2016 Ondo State guber election to wanted to translate it into political advantage in te nearest future.

The IIaje Political Analysts who also claimed to have a very deep insight and knowledge in to Oke’s trajectory having worked with him said Oke’s political  calculation is tending towards as if he is nursing another political agenda which the next 2019 Senate and National Assembly remains the best opportunity.

The man further explained that as one of Oke’s foot-soldier and die hard follower having journeyed with Oke through those critical stages of his political trajectories in the past can attest to the fact that Oke is a very ambitious person who has an unquenchable thirst to serve his people at any capacity.

He concluded within his mind and voice out that the only way Oke can sustained his political integrity and maintain his political rating is to take advantage of his current popularity to struggle for the Southern Senatorial Ticket come 2019.

“I am not jumping to a quick conclusion but just forecasting what is expected from Oke in the nearest future because the coast is a bit clears for him as those who might give him stress in the contest are either engaged, in disarray or in political self-exile”

It would be recalled that Oke different political ambitions has suffered all manners of mis-adventures, untold hardship and repression from the moment he launched out for the Ilaje/EseOdo Federal Constituency seat,his Senatorial aspiration in 2007,his first guber ambition in 2013 and 2016respectively.

OKE POLITICAL TRAJECTORY & EXPLOITS:

Oke started out as very popular youth activist in the rank of Ilaje Progressive Front (IPF), a front line youth pressure group in late 80's. that later metamorphosed into a political group.

In spite of the pressure of the group on him to join active politics, he stayed in the course of his Law Practice until 1991 when he was made the Local Government Legal Adviser of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

From 1991 to 1992, he was a member of Board of Internal Revenue in Ondo State and thereafter Oke have combined politics with his legal practice without necessarily leaving one for the other.

He was elected as a member, Federal House of Representatives Representing Ilaje / Ese-odo Federal

Constituency in 1992.

By year 2000, he was appointed into the pioneer board of the Niger Delta Development Commission [NDDC] and what we did in the board of NDDC and the experience garnered facilitated my appointment as the Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), another intervention agency, in 2004.

In 2005, he was nominated and served in the National Political Reform Conference and in 2007, and also served as a member of the Presidential Technical Committee on Niger Delta.

While also serving on appointment as Chairman of the Board of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida in 2009 he was re-appointed as Chairman, National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency between, 2009 to 2011.

In 2010,Oke was elected as the PDP National Legal Adviser the position he held till 2011.

And he emerged as the gubernatorial standard flagbearer for the PDP in12 and for the AD in 2016 all in  Ondo State gubernatorial elections.