10/12/2022
*รPADรBรSรLร EXPLAINED*
Some patriotic Aramoko sons and daughters have asked why Upadabosule and how did we come about it. We are glad to answer this all important question.
It was Professor Gbadegesin who said - โA person whose existence and personality is dependent on a community is expected in turn to contribute his own quota to the continued existence of the community that nurtured him and partakes in his destinyโ. That is simply what we are doing.
Upadabosule is all about reliving our past experiences to bring ourselves back home during the Christmas and end of the year season as it used to be during our early years.
Beyond just coming home, it is to inspire the younger ones to draw inspiration from successful Aramoko sons and daughters who will have opportunity to mingle with their kinsmen and women when they come home for end of year celebrations. That is how it used to be.
It all started on a fateful Saturday morning like this on AraSummit platform, precisely on the 27th of March, 2021 when Mrs Tokunbo Oderinde (nee Awosusi) posted an old music collection to AraSummit platform. The music collection is here attached.
The sensation that the music generated from notable personalities in Aramoko that fateful morning inspired us to build something on that nostalgic experience.
AraSummit, being an eye for any development index in Aramoko, offered to lead a concept around this foundation and rallied support for the concept to have a grand party of the oldies in December of 2021.
The greatest inspiration we got was from Bishop Jide Adebayo who became the undisputed leader around whom we decided to build the concept to convince anyone of the noble objective of the homecoming of Aramoko Kindreds.
Notable among the great motivators that fateful morning are Mr Bayo Ade-Ojo (mni), Mr Peter Odelusi Jnr, Pastor Ade Arowosebe, Pastor Tokunbo Ibikunle, Rt. Hon. Tope Ademiluyi, Mrs Sade Ofi (nee Folayan) and Mrs Folake Olojo (nee Fadeyi) among others.
By faith, we swung to action and declared that a grand party would hold in December 2021. We formed a small committee that we tagged Old Skul Squad comprising Akin Oluwadare Jnr, Tokunbo Oderinde, Folake Olojo, Sunday Kayode, Ade Abon, Bidemi Omotoso (nee Alade), Afiz Abolayo and Ganiyat Ganiyu.
At first, the name that came to mind was The Homecoming of Aramoko Kindreds. We later decided to domesticate the concept by interpreting The Homecoming of Aramoko Kindreds to Upadabosule Omo Ara Isa. This encapsulates it better and makes it more relatable in our local language.
We delivered on promise. The maiden edition held on December 27, 2021 and it was a success. All thanks to all Aramoko sons and daughters who contributed financially to make the first edition a reality.
Our post event analysis stated clearly some shortcomings, particularly poor attendance. We went back to work and declared by faith that the event would be a yearly event. Bishop Jide Adebayo has been relentless to ensure that we donโt drop the ball.
We decided, among other things, that we would have an A*o Ebi for subsequent editions and improve on publicity beyond WhatsApp groups to the local residents to improve on attendance for subsequent editions.
Here we are in 2022, building on the foundation. The A*o Ebi concept has been a great success with the excitement that went with it. Our Ankara drive was enough publicity on its own. Thanks to Folake Olojo and our charismatic Kemisola Akinyemi who took the lead for Ankara drive and to all responders in cash and kind.
Aramoko is about to witness the turn of history as we institutionalise Upadabosule as a yearly event. The second edition of Upadabosule is underway on December 27, 2022 and it promises to be a grand event.
The objective is simple. What we aim for is to bring Aramoko sons and daughters back home in December to socialise and see in what areas we need social, educational and economic development.
This will surely rob off on increased commercial activities and improve the lot of our fatherland. It will not only engender physical development but will foster human capital development which remains top in all our development aspirations.
This is the origin of Upadabosule and we are glad to be part of history. By the grace of God, Upadabosule has come to stay.
God bless the drivers of the dream and God bless Aramoko Kingdom.
~Akin Oluwadare Jnr
