Isokan Yoruba Magazine, Fall 1996/Winter 1997 , Volume III No. I, Page 23.
Egbe Isokan Yoruba: Milestones 1996, By Ganiat Enifeni.

The 2nd Annual Yoruba month activities, of Egbe Isokan Yoruba, concluded this August on a high note. Yoruba month activities, most of which took place in July , is Egbe Isokan's way of highlighting the richness of Yoruba culture for the American people.

Our first activity took place on Thursday July 4th, 1996 as part of the Fourth of July Parade in Washington, D.C. The Isokan contingent featured Igunnu and Agere all of which attracted the attention of American spectators. In addition, the gaily dressed Isokan members caused onlookers to pay attention to the uniqueness of Yoruba fashions.

Saturday July 6th brought with it the premiere showing of Igbeyawo, a Yoruba play extolling the virtues of our engagement and marriage customs. The low turnout did not have much impact on the high volume of chit-chat that took place during the live performance! The actors and actresses garnered applause from many of those that attended the event. The play's point: Marriage in Yorubaland is all about uniting families, via delicate diplomacy was well received.

Yoruba Culture in the Diaspora took place on Saturday July 13th. There was a lecture on the influence of Yoruba culture on religions and philosophical tradittions in the Africa and Diaspora by Professor Ropo Sekoni. Representatives of Brazillian, Cuba and Trinidadian communities spoke on the need for cooperation between the Yoruba in the homeland and their descendants in the Diaspora.

The Yoruba Excellence Awards and Fundraising Dinner, held on Friday July 19th, was a momentous evening. Granted, our room setup ran excruciatingly close to start up time, but you had to admire how elegant and welcoming the decor looked after we had finished. And the turnout was encoraging, as Howard University's ballroom was packed! Although Chief Adekunle Ajasin, one of the awardees was unable to be with us, we were quite pleased to be graced with the presence of Chief Anthony Enahoro, CFR, who was the keynote speaker and the receiver of the award for heroic sacrifice for the cause of democracy in Nigeria. His remarks that evening provided food for thought for the audience. It was however the articulate remarks of Ms. Hafsat Abiola, daughter of the late Kudirat Abiola who received a post humous award on behalf of her mother, further enriched the ocassion. Ms. Abiola, was present to receive Egbe Isokan Yoruba's Excellence Award posthumously on behalf of her mother. Ms. Abiola provided a picture of reserved stoicism in the face of very daunting odds. She touched the very soul of those present with her gracious acceptance speech. The standing ovation she received afterwards bore testimony to that fact. Chief M.A. Ajasin's award was received on his behalf by the president of Egbe Omo Owo, Dr. Joel Ademisoye.

A flurry of activities at the International Mall, Langley Park, Maryland, on Saturday July 20th heralded the Yoruba Fashion Show. About 25 young people graced the mall and our culture, as they stepped along the mall aisles, with the latest in Yoruba couture. With about 100 outfits showcasing business, ceremonial, and casual wears, the young models showed a refreshing 'Yoruba face' to mall shoppers, and guests alike.

The 1st Yoruba Picnic was our last Yoruba month activity. The picnic was attended by members of Egbe Isokan Yoruba and members of all Yoruba sub-ethnic associations in the Washington metropolitan area. It was a day of fun and pageantry, as Folly Peperempeand Agere and Igunnu performers provided excitement for both adults and children.

Ganiat Enifeni is the Social Secretary of Egbe Isokan Yoruba and one of the Coordinators of Yoruba Month Planning Committee.