Clad in resplendent royal blue, a formidable coalition of women leaders, spearheaded by the First Lady, embodied the grace, influence, and pivotal role of women in sustaining the cultural and developmental fabric of Remo land.
The 2025 Remo Day celebration, a vibrant spectacle themed “One People, Diverse Cultures, One Identity,” offered a multitude of captivating sights. Yet, amidst the colourful parades and pulsating traditional displays, one image emerged with particular resonance: a powerful, unified bloc of women, the ‘Remo Women of Excellence’, standing in dignified solidarity with His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, CFR, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo land.
This was not merely a photo opportunity; it was a visual manifesto of the central, often understated, pillar upon which Remo’s community thrives. The group, a distinguished assembly of matriarchs, entrepreneurs, cultural custodians, and societal leaders, presented a breathtaking tableau of cohesion and purpose. Their choice of attire; elegant, matching royal blue iro and buba with exquisite gold detailing, was a masterstroke of silent symbolism. The colour blue, often associated with depth, stability, and wisdom, reflected their foundational role, while the gold spoke to their invaluable worth and the luminous legacy they cultivate.
Leading this illustrious assembly was the First Lady of Ogun State, Her Excellency Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, whose presence as the group’s guide firmly aligned the state’s progressive vision with the grassroots strength and cultural intelligence of Remo’s women. Her leadership of the contingent underscored a seamless collaboration between governance and traditional societal structures, highlighting how modern development is most effective when it honours and incorporates the existing framework of community influence.
The composition of the group itself told a story of holistic excellence. While the photograph captures their unified front, it represents key facets of Remo’s socio-economic ecosystem. Alongside the First Lady stood prominent market leaders like the Iyaloja of Remo, whose influence steers the commercial heartbeat of the region. Esteemed titles such as the Iyalode and Iyalaje, representing the highest echelons of female chieftaincy and wealth, added layers of traditional authority and philanthropic heritage. Furthermore, the presence of leaders from the Remo Queens Sisters Group and the Remo Women Initiatives pointed to the organised, sisterly networks that drive advocacy, support, and empowerment at the community level.
Presenting themselves before the Akarigbo, the Remo Women of Excellence performed more than a ceremonial greeting. It was an act of profound reciprocity and mutual respect. They came to honour their king, the custodian of their land’s history, and in turn, received his royal acknowledgment of their indispensable contributions. This moment encapsulated the very essence of Remo Day: a celebration of interwoven roles and shared responsibility for the community’s future.
The significance of their standout presence extends beyond the day’s festivities. It served as a powerful statement to younger generations of Remo women and girls, presenting a visible spectrum of achievement and leadership. It demonstrated that excellence wears many crowns; from the gele of a market leader to the formal attire of a development advocate, and that true community progress is championed in concert.
As the echoes of the 2025 Remo Day celebrations fade, the enduring image of the Remo Women of Excellence in their royal blue regalia remains. They stood not on the periphery of the event, but at its very heart, embodying the strength, grace, and collaborative spirit that ensures the rich tapestry of Remo land continues to be woven with resilience and pride for generations to come. Their collective stance was a definitive reminder that in the story of Remo, the chapters written by its women are essential to the narrative of unity, identity, and inexorable progress.
