100 TWINS BENEFITED AS EMINENTS CELLEBRATE OLORI AKINYEMI ON HER WALIMAT AND LAUNCH OF FIRST BOOK ON IGBOORA TWINNING

Traditional rulers and eminent personalities throng the Methodist Grammar School, Saganun, Igboora play ground as 100 twins were hosted and given prizes by Olori (Alhaja) Amudalat Akinyemi, wife of late Onipako of Pako Igboora, HRH, Oba Lamidi Akinyemi on Saturday, 12th March, 2022 during her Walimat-Quran and official launch of a book she authored since 2002 titled : “ITAN BIBI IBEJI LOPO YANTURU NI ILE IGBOORA” (Reason behind misery of Twin birth in Igboora).
The celebrant in her speech traced the history of the propagation of Igboora Twins to her late husband, late Onipako of Pako :” The first official assignment of my Late Husband on his ascension to the throne as Onipako of Pako was the propagation of the misery behind the multiple births in Igboora Community, he played host to two Journalists from the defunct Punch Newspaper: BISI AKINKUOWO and MOSHOOD ADEBAYO. The News was captioned: “IGBOORA, FACTORY OF TWINS” dated Saturday, February 11, 1989 and “ IGBOORA: THE LAND OF A ‘MILLION’ TWINS” dated Sunday, February 12, 1989. This attracted the attention of the late Ace broadcaster of Nigeria Television Authority, Yinka Craig and Patrick Oke; they came for another interview of my husband and that same week, it was aired on the NTA Newsline. Subsequent interviews has since been granted by BBC World service by its London correspondent, ENIWOKE IBAGERE and so on and on till the World Health Organisation Tagged Igboora as “HOME OF TWINS”

According to the first Academic researcher on Igboora Twin birth in 1989, stated three phenomenom on possible reasons behind the misery :
Here in Igboora, we believe in three phenomenon on possible reasons behind the misery behind multiple births:
1. According to the late Olu of Igboora, Late Oba Oyewole Oyerogba :”Our Ancestors brought the traits from Oyo and it has since been passed down the line of Igboora people”.
2. The major reason behind the misery, according to my husband is probably because we cherished and Celebrate Twins here in Igboora while others crucify them, we have learnt over the years to take care of Twins. It is also in our genes……”
3. The third point is that we in Igboora believe that if one eats Lagidigbi Yam, Amala with Ilasa soup such a person is certain to give birth to Twins.
According to Olori Akinyemi, the book is aimed at documenting not only the high rates of twining in Igboora but also some of the traditions belief surrounding their birth, how they are considered as special blessings of Allah and therefore given special care . My research affirms the fact that multiple birth in Igboora is a blessing from God. In the olden days, it was a taboo to have Twins, thus they persecuted the mother, or killed the twins. Such practice was rampant around Calabar, Benin and Ondo. It was Mary Slessor that stopped the barbaric act in Calabar. Octogarian appreciated the Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Tiloye who lead other traditional rulers across Ibarapa land, Alhaja Ranti Adedigba, special guests and relatives who throng out en-mass to celebrate with her.

The Guest Lecturer, Alhaji Ismail Aremu thank Allah for the unique way of Olori Akinyemi’s zeal of seeking more Islamic knowledge at the age of 80years; he reiterated Allah’s abundant blessings for whoever seeks for HIS Knowledge, especially at old age, just like Olori Akinyemi. The Islamic Cleric urged both Old and young to emulate her and seek for Allah’s doctrines through Islamic knowledge.
The Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Isaaq Folorunsho, (Md. Rasas Integrated Services), thanked Allah on behalf of Mama and prayed for more fulfilled years ahead of her in the service of Allah and humanity.

The book reviewer, Prof. Ayodele Yusuff from the University of Lagos, spelt out each aspect of the book, ranging from the brief histories of Igboora confederate towns (Igbole, Pako, Iberekodo, Saganun,Idofin and Igboora as at 2012 when the book was published). He reviewed the norms of Igboora people on Twins and other major aspect of the first Book on Igboora Twins.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Launcher, Alhaji Moshood Salami (FCA), urged all Sons and Daughters of Igboora to spring up in developmental roles of Igboora as the celebrant and Author, Olori Akinyemi has given them a great challenge.

In her vote of thanks, the first Daughter of the celebrant, Prof. Fatimah Abdulkareem appreciate Allah for the rear privilege given to her precious Mum in seeking Islamic knowledge at almost 80 years. She appreciated everyone who have throng out en-mass to honour Olori Akinyemi and prayed for Allah’s mercy as everyone return back to their various destinations.

Personalities that graced the occasion included the Oyo South Senatorial hopeful, Dr. Sola Ayandele, Dr. Oje Morakinyo (former Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy), Pastor Akinade Alamu (Oyo State Tescom Chairman) Dr. Amos Adepoju, Otunba Ademola Ojo, Prince Titiloye Oseni (TOKAS), Hajia Fatimah Oyefeso, Alhaja Muibat Oniboh, members of Criterion, Hon Remi Ayoade, Hon. Lateef Akorede (Chairman, Ibarapa North Local Government),Hon Olanrele (Great- Mothers), Prince Latayo Adeoye, Mr. Goke Adenrele, Imam Ligali Adebayo (who officiated the Walimat), Imam Kazeem Jinad, Igboora High School Alumnis and various personalities across the Country.

Traditional rulers at the event Included the Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Tiloye with his Olori, Oba Kingsley Aderoju, Onidere of Idere, Rep. of Oluaso of Iberekodo, Oba and Olori Olusanjo Ojo, Oba Fasasi Jinad and Oba Samuel Adeleye.