Why 2026 Ojude Oba Festival will hold despite Awujale’s death – Organisers

By Popoola Jamiu, Abeokuta

Organisers of the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival have assured stakeholders that the cultural celebration will continue despite the death of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

The assurance was given during a world press conference held at the Heritage Hall of the Awujale Palace in Ijebu-Ode, where the organising committee officially unveiled plans for the 2026 edition of the annual festival with the theme: “Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona.”

Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the Organising Committee, Fassy Yusuf, said the clarification became necessary following speculation in some quarters that the festival might be suspended due to the monarch’s demise and the ongoing interregnum.

According to him, the 2026 edition is dedicated to celebrating the enduring legacy of the late monarch, whom he described as a committed leader who contributed immensely to the growth and development of Ijebuland.

“The 2026 Ojude Oba Festival is not only a celebration of culture and heritage, but also a solemn tribute to the longest-reigning monarch in the history of Ijebuland, whose legacies remain indelible and whose impact will continue to resonate across generations,” he said.

Yusuf stressed that the festival transcends any individual and remains a cultural institution deeply rooted in the identity, unity and pride of the Ijebu people.

“In recent times, there were insinuations and campaigns, particularly on social and traditional media platforms, suggesting that without the Awujale there would be no Ojude Oba Festival. But history, tradition and the collective will of the Ijebu people have prevailed,” he stated.

He added that suspending the festival because of the royal transition would have undermined decades of cultural preservation, economic advancement and tourism development in Ijebuland.

According to him, the late monarch had clearly instructed that the festival should never be suspended because of his death or during any period of interregnum.

“It is with pride and a deep sense of responsibility that we announce that the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival will hold with all its grandeur and splendour. The festival remains a symbol of unity, religious tolerance, cultural pride and collective identity for the Ijebu people,” he added.

Yusuf explained that although the festival originated as an Islamic celebration, it has evolved into a major cultural event embraced by Muslims, Christians, traditional worshippers and people from different backgrounds.

He further described the festival as a catalyst for economic growth in Ijebuland, noting that commercial activities usually peak before, during and after the celebration.

The committee also announced new incentives for corporate partners and sponsors, including additional exhibition spaces in front of the Awujale’s Palace and a seven-day window for brand displays ahead of the grand finale of the festival.

At the event, Chairman of the Communications Committee, Giwa Osibogun, unveiled the official commemorative medallion logo for the 2026 edition.

Osibogun described the logo as a symbol of prestige, integrity and the enduring cultural identity of the Ijebu people.

The press conference attracted traditional rulers, government officials, corporate organisations, members of the diplomatic community and prominent sons and daughters of Ijebuland.