The Kwara State Amusement Park, Ilorin, turned into a massive hub of entertainment, culture, and festive joy on Wednesday as the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Culture and Tourism hosted its highly anticipated “Ileya Groove.”
The multi-activity fiesta, strategically designed to coincide with Children’s Day celebrations, drew hundreds of children, parents, and entertainment enthusiasts from across the state’s sixteen local government areas.
Organized under the administrative leadership of veteran Nollywood actor and Special Assistant, Hon. Eyiwumi Aramide Muka Ray, the carnival featured a wide array of activities, including grassroots talent exhibitions, live music and dance competitions, stand-up comedy, adult games, and an expansive children’s playground.
The event kicked off with spiritual solemnity as Imam Sulyman Kayode Labaeka supported by Alhaja Salman Afusat Ajibola took the stage to deliver opening prayers, invoking divine guidance for the state and the safety of the young participants.
Delivering his opening remarks, the host, Hon. Muka Ray, expressed his delight at the massive turnout of families. He emphasized that establishing unified community gatherings during both the Eid and Christmas holiday seasons remains a vital priority for his office to foster social integration.
He urged the attendees to relax and enjoy the carefully curated segments, disclosing that a substantial pool of token gifts and dynamic cash prizes had been set aside to reward outstanding performance metrics across both the adult and children demographics.
The Special Assistant further extended deep praise to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, describing him as a historic, workaholic executive whose administrative backing has consistently revitalized the creative industry, tourism, and youth development infrastructure in Kwara State.
“As you all know, this is how we traditionally bring our people together during both the Ileya and Christmas periods to celebrate unity,” Muka Ray stated.
“I urge you all to sit back, relax, and let the events commence. Many of our parents and children will return home with cash prizes and token gifts. Let us continue to sustain prayers for our performing Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Kwara has never had such a dedicated, working governor who consistently gets things right.” He added.
A major highlight of the cultural carnival was the deliberate celebration of industry icons. Hon. Muka Ray explicitly showered adulation on Alhaji Issa Olorunoje, a veteran theatre practitioner and former Governor of the Ilorin Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP).
Ray described Olorunoje as an exceptional leader, a reliable mentor, and an unyielding pillar of support whose structural contributions continue to guide contemporary filmmakers and cultural actors operating in Nigeria’s movie industry.
“Out there, father, your impact is really showing and guiding us wherever we go. I pray that you live long for us, sir. This is just the beginning; I pray that by the next edition, you will win an even bigger institutional prize.” He said.
The event’s energy surged significantly with the presence of renowned cross-over comedian Habeeb Olatunji popularly known as Babakamo, who thrilled the massive crowd with energetic live and interactive stand-up performances.
As the groove wound down into the evening, interactive prize-giving segments were coordinated on stage by Mrs. Medina Buhari, the Director of Planning at the Ministry of Communication.
Top performers and children who excelled in the dance and creative exhibitions were presented with various gift packages and cash tokens, sealing a highly successful festive outing for the state’s tourism sector.
