…Innovates With Charity Fund and Ethnic Diversity
Ahead of the forthcoming 4th annual Ibile Day celebration in Manchester, United Kingdom, all arrangements have been on top notch towards making the day a successful edition.
Ibile Day has been an annual event renowned for its unique gathering, projection and celebration of the rich socio-cultural heritage of Nigeria by Nigerians in diaspora; especially in the United Kingdom.
According to the Convener, Oluwasegun Akindayo, “Ibile Day is an evolution of my personal and professional passion and commitment to Nigeria’s rich cultural values. It is aimed at fostering unity amongst the multi ethnic groups residing in the United Kingdom”.
“Interestingly”, he stated further, “given my antecedents and professional background, it initially started with a Yoruba perspective but the resounding successes accompanying the last three editions necessitated the planning committee to increase the horizon by introducing unique initiatives to this year’s edition”.
Akindayo explained that plans have been concluded on these initiatives towards enlarging the coast to achieve a wholistic pan Nigeria picture by having representatives and active participation from all major tribes of Nigeria resident in the United Kingdom.
“Besides the usual creative and herbal work on display, the unity in diversity theme would also play active role with a cultural display of ethnic groups in United Kingdom. Each group are expected to exhibit and display their individual heritage while the next edition’s prospectus would be built around the emerged ethnic winner”, he said.
Continuing, Akindayo disclosed that “interestingly and uniquely, this coming edition shall thrive on our passion of charity and humanism. Personally, I have a soft spot and emotional attachment to autism; hence our decision to deploy reasonable chunk of our resources in support of our autistic friends through the Autistic Society in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom”.
To achieve this, Akindayo explained that “we are aiming at raising funds at the event through self – donations and auction sales. To be co-ordinated by one of our special guests and Nollywood diva, Jaiye Kuti, proceeds from this fund raising and other materials will be donated to our autistic friends through the Autistic Society in Greater Manchester. Beyond my personal conviction, it is a reflection of our organisation’s commitment to one of our corporate social responsibilities”.
This and other initiatives, according to Akindayo, is chiefly aimed at expanding the horizon to bridge the gap between Africans through a mutual integration and interaction of their cultural brands and products.
Scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 31, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom, Ibile Day in its usual trait has generated a lot of enthusiasm amongst Nigerians in United Kingdom and in diaspora.
”As an annual summer event, Ibile Day has created a niche for itself as a socio-cultural brand offering a platform of cultural projection, social integration and professional networking; regardless of colour, race, religion or ethnicity”, he said.
In reality of the various excitements being generated on the social media and Nigerian communities, top entertainment stars in Nollywood have confirmed their attendance while Ibile Day Chief promoter, Alhaji Sulaiman Adio Atawewe is set to thrill guests to his reputable brand of Fuji music.
“Given our experience and level of preparation, as well as the various support we are getting from all and major stakeholders, I am confident that this year’s Ibile Day celebration will be nothing short of glitz, glamour and most especially success”, Akindayo hinted.
