In what was the 6th edition of its annual Ileya party, the Ibrahim Dende Foundation, aka IBD Foundation, a non-profit organisation, NGO, championing humanitarian causes, went all out to ensure that the people of Ebute-Igbooro, a community in Yewa Land, Ogun State, had the best Ileya party during the just concluded Eid-El-Kabir celebrations. After five years of putting smiles on the faces of people in Ebute-Igbooro, especially during the Sallah celebration, the IBD Foundation showed no signs of slowing down as the foundation, led by its chairman, a philanthropist businessman, stormed Ebute-Igbooro with truckloads of goodies to celebrate Eid-El-Kabir with the people of Dende’s ancestral home. IBD Dende, arguably the biggest promoter of philanthropic gestures in Ogun State, has always identified with his people. For the compassionate businessman, charity begins at home. And through his foundation, he has repeatedly shown that he’s deeply committed to the betterment of his community and the people of Yewa in general. This year’s Ileya party is proof of that commitment—tough economic realities or not, IBD Dende will always be there for his people.
Recognised for its many acts of kindness, the IBD Foundation showed its charitable side again during the Ileya party. The 3-day event featured a line-up of exciting events such as games, dance competitions, promotion of Yewa cultural heritage, and most importantly, financial support for hundreds of Ebute-Igbooro people. Day one was dedicated to the kids. And it was a thing of joy to see the children in their thousands enjoying life to the fullest. Apart from games and dance competitions, the children had more than enough to eat and drink. And even smiled home with various gifts. The highlight was when a kid found a missing phone and returned it. Of course, the kid was rewarded for being honest with a bag of rice and other items. The fun continued on the second day. And this time, it was the turn of the family, friends, associates, and community members. That was the real groove. It was a kind of reunion for the sons and daughters of Ebute-Igbooro. Everyone puts on their best behaviour. And it was a glorious day. The highlight of the day was when IBD Dende, Chairman of the Foundation, took to the dance floor and showed his native Bolojo dance steps to the admiration of those who were present at the colourful Ileya party. IBD Dende’s presence added colour to the event. And it was nice to see how genuinely he was being in the company of his people. Again, there was more than enough to chew and drink. It was also an opportunity for people to reconnect and strengthen community bonds.
And that’s not all; no IBD Foundation event is complete without reaching out to the less privileged in society. IBD Dende’s philanthropic heart was on full display on the third day and the grand finale of the Ileya party. It was dedicated to an all-out charity. In a show of genuine compassion, IBD Dende personally took the time to listen to the concerns of his people. And from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., he was attending to hundreds of people. He doled out cash for the payment of fees, educational scholarships, and so on. Everybody who showed up received their share of the largesse. Of course, the success story of the Ileya Party won’t be complete without mentioning Omolara Dende, Chief Executive Officer and CEO of the IBD Foundation. Recognised for her overflowing milk of human kindness, Omolara Dende led from the front, and alongside her iconic team, they covered themselves in glory with a beautiful show that will go down in history as one of the most colourful parties in Yewa. The top dignitaries who graced the party included top royal fathers, businessmen, and celebrities, including top Nollywood actor Damola Olatunji.
