THE FIRST RURAL-COMMUNITY ANTHEM IN NIGERIA COMPOSED BY BAYO ADEBOWALE
IGBO-ELERIN ANTHEM
YORUBA
Igbo- Elerin wa
Ile wa olokiki
K’Oluwa ko bukun wa
K’ani alafia
Osi o ni ta ‘wa
Awa l’ayo a sope
Idunnu ati ‘lera
Ko je ipin ti wa
K’a ni ‘losiwaju
Ife ati ‘sokan
K’a ni ‘tesiwaju
L’okunrin l’obinrin
Imole wa si ma tan
Gege bi ‘rawo sanmo
Igbo-Elerin wa
Ile wa olokiki
K’Oluwa ko bukun wa
K’ani alafia
FIRST VILLAGE-COMMUNITY ANTHEM IN NIGERIA
IGBO-ELERIN ANTHEM
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Igbo-Elerin land
Our land of mark and fame
Blessing of good Lord with us
May we all be at peace
We ‘ ll rise above penury
We are thankful, we praise thee
Happiness, abundant health
Shall become our portion
Let’s have steady progress
Unity and regard
Let’s have advancement
For all men and women
Our fame is going to spread
Like bright stars in the sky
Igbo-Elerin land
Our land of mark and fame
Blessing of good Lord with us
May we all be at peace
Press Release: BAYO ADEBOWALE COMPOSES THE FIRST RURAL-COMMUNITY ANTHEM IN NIGERIA
History was made in an Ibadan District in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria on Saturday 3rd March 2018, when the community people’s anthem ( Igbo-Elerin Wa- Ile Wa Olokiki) was launched, with thousands of enthusiastic rural community people, from about 300 villages and hamlets in attendance. The anthem, which was composed at African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centre, Adeyipo and rendered into song by poet and novelist Bayo Adebowale, turned out to be the First Official Village Community Anthem in Nigeria.
The anthem highlights the fame and popularity of this Ibadan District, and admonishes the community people of the area to always strive to attain peace, unity and advancement for their beloved fatherland, praying that happiness and sound health would be their portion as they continue to shine like bright stars in the sky.
The anthem was presented by the students of Igbo-Elerin Grammar School, and the pupils of Unity School, Adeyipo, with Abraham Olukunmi Agboola conducting it before the audience (of eminent personalities, including His Eminence, DrSunday Ola Makinde, Prelate Emeritus Methodist Church of Nigeria; Professor (Chief) Ezekiel Olukayode Idowu; Professor Harry Taiwo Ladapo; and all 21 Baale’s of Igbo-Elerin land) at Igbo-Elerin Grammar School Ground on 3rd March 2018.
Bayo Adebowale (PhD) (Associate Professor of Creative Writing in English) who composed the anthem, is
a poet, novelist, short story writer,critic, literary scholar, librarian, community leader, and the Director/Founder, African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centre, (AHRLC) Adeyipo Village, Ibadan, Nigeria.
(From: Gbemisola Edun, Secretary, AHRLC)
