Alake Urges Egba Indigenes to Support Cultural Heritage, Traditional Crafts at 39th Lisabi Day 

The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has called on Egba sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to actively support initiatives promoting Egba cultural heritage, education, and traditional craftsmanship during this year’s Lisabi Day celebrations.

The monarch made the appeal during the pre-event press briefing for the 39th edition of Lisabi Day, held at Ake Palace, Abeokuta. This year’s theme is “Integrating Apprenticeship Training into Education: Opportunities and Challenges.”

Oba Gbadebo described the Lisabi Day festival as a powerful symbol of the unity, resilience, and progressive spirit of the Egba people.

“Let it be sounded and richly re-echoed from the four corners of the universe that our season of genuine celebration has arrived with its pomp and pageantry,” the Alake declared.

He stressed that the festival serves as a platform to showcase Egbaland’s rich cultural heritage while inspiring younger generations to uphold the values of courage, hard work, and progress demonstrated by their forebears.

Oba Gbadebo reaffirmed Egbaland’s pride in its enduring heritage, which successive generations have continued to preserve and project on the global stage.

Unveiling the programme for the 39th edition, Chairman of the Lisabi Day Celebration Organising Committee, Chief Raji Rasheed, congratulated Egba indigenes worldwide for witnessing the start of another vibrant celebration.

He announced that the 13-day festivities will commence on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, with the final of the Secondary School Quiz Competition at Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta.

According to Chief Raji, key activities include:

March 18–20: Exhibitions at the Amphitheatre, Ake Palace

March 21 (Saturday): Chieftaincy installations

March 22 (Sunday): Lisabi Day Trade Fair (Ipate Agbongboankala)

March 23 (Monday): Ceremonial gun salute at Olumo Rock, traditional Ayo game at Adire Hall, semi-final of the community football competition at Muda Lawal Stadium, Asero, and final of the wrestling competition at Centenary Hall

March 24–25: Continuation of the trade fair, exhibitions of Egba arts and crafts, charity donations and free eye tests at Oba Gbadebo Memorial Hospital, Isale Ijeun (organised by the Egba Descendants Community Association), a seminar on the theme “Integrating Apprenticeship Training into Education: Opportunities and Challenges” at Adire Hall, and the final of the community football competition at MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Kuto

March 26 (Thursday): Procession of traditional rulers, chiefs, and dignitaries to Igbo Lisabi; medical outreach; visit to Olumo Rock and Itoku Cenotaph; Jumat service at the Central Mosque, Kobiti; dinner and awards ceremony at Adire Hall; commissioning of the Lisabi-Alaje Egbaliganza Drum; and recognition of diplomats

March 28 (Saturday): Grand finale at the Amphitheatre, Ake Palace

March 29 (Sunday): Anniversary thanksgiving service at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta

Chief Raji assured residents and visitors of adequate security arrangements throughout the duration of the festival.