THE HISTORY OF KEGITES CLUB IN AMERICA
About 36 years ago, Olabode Kazeem the Pioneer Chief of Ilya du Windy brought the rich African culture to diaspora here in America through the Kegites Club. Against all odds, little did he know he was building a castle of commradic avatar. Today, Kegites club is in Europe, Canada, and America. Chief Olabode joined kegites club in the year 1980 at Ijebu-Ode College of Education, called Ilya du Ogun under Chief Agbako. In 1983, Chief Olabode , took a Narrative English course as part of elective class towards his associate degree at Truman College, Chicago. It was a requirement for the student to be able to narrate a great event or cultural activity to the class. As the only African student amongst his peers, he narrated his rich African culture and narrows it down to the usefulness of Palm tree and how kegites club represents revival of African culture and tradition of African ancestors for this purpose.
After the narrative speech, he was contacted by majority of African Americans in his class to teach them some of the African tradition such as music, drums and gods (Sango, Ogun, Obatala). He agreed and used kegites as the climax of his discussion and teaching. The meeting of many members of kegites known as kongosis to celiberate their culture is called gyration and the first gyration took place at Eastwood Building on the north side of Chicago at late Akinrinade’s apartment in April 1983. Majority of the members were African Americans. Activities later slowed down, due to shortage of Palmwine in America. In 2006, Toham Promotions reached out to promote kegites night after promoting shows like Apala, Fela, and Ankara nights. Palmwine and Regalia was made available. Chief Olabode Kazeem and LSF Sina Orijajogun, both coordinated the event, in which many people were transformed (initiated) that night to become a member of kegites club. The kegites member at this occaision decide to form a branch which is called “Ilya” it was then named. Ilya Worldwide, which was later changed to Ilya du Windy.
Olabode Kazeem, was coronated in the year 2015, by Metusela Chief Adedayo Laoye (Ayan 1 of Ilya Tecco Yaba College of Technology). In 2015, the keg of office was issued to Ilya du Windy by World Headquarter (University of Ife), Ile- Ife, Nigeria and was accepted by Chief Olabode Kazeem, as the Pioneer Chief and Adams of Kegites Club in America. Chief Babatunde A Dada was the next chief after Chief Olabode Kazeem, he hosted the first world gyration outside the continent of Africa especially outside Nigeria where the headquarters and the next after Chief Dada was Chief Babatunde Adeyemi. There are many residential Chiefs namely: Chief Gbolahan AKA Smarto of Ilya Potato, Chief Dayo AKA Ayan 1, Chief Bosun AKA Oluigbo, Chief Fakorede AKA Esu, Chief Michael Iyanda AKA Zauzau and many more. Many Patrons and Matrons.the Grandpatron of Ilya du Windy Olawale AKA Hamburger, Ilya du Windy Patron Bola Odedina, Ilya du Windy Matron Obaseki, other patrons from Nigeria who are residential in Chicago Patron Oluwole & Patron Adeolu AKA Osu melody, Yeye Oba of Ilya du Windy Alhaja Surat Apelogun, Iyalode of Windy Queen B, .
The grand councils who made ilya du windy to stay alive without this kongosis there will be no ilya du windy they are; Shrine Commander Olusola Rinola ,Purse 1 Oyewola Oyesina, Feda David Obi, Head Songito Sunday Adesina AKA Oyen Songito Star lomo, Gyration commander Asia Ngowian, Philosofa Olarenwaju Akpan, Provost Mashal Adewale Napoleon, Pourer Bose Oladipupo, Lsf Segun Adesina AKA Orijajogun, Lsf Tunde Oshinmokun Olori Joy Kazeem, Pause 2 Samuel Ainasu, Parrot Wole Duroladipo, Lsf Segun Ojekunle, comrade Rasheed Bello, Comrad Taofeek , Tapper Lanre Olorunfunmi , Lsf Olusola AKA the Law, comrade Lawrence Adeyemi, Sf Kemi, comrade Mobet, comrade Tokunbo Sodimu AKA omo west, Lsf Olobe, Lsf Segun Iluyidun, Mashal Olumide, Sf Toi-toi and others whose name are not mention here but will be introduce in the future.