Ekiti, Osun Set To Host 2026 Ogedengbe Fiesta

Ekiti and Osun States are ready to host the annual Ogedengbe Festival, with legacy awards to be conferred on prominent individuals.

The three-day heritage and cultural fiesta is being organised in honour of the legendary Yoruba war hero, strategist and statesman, Ogedengbe Agbogungboro, who lived between 1822 and 1910.

The festival director, 2026 Ogedengbe  Annual Fiesta,  Mr Femi Alufa, in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti, said the event is scheduled to hold from 29th July to 31st July, 2026, in Atorin, Atakumosa East local government area, Osun State and Imesi-Ile, Okemesi -Ekiti, Ekiti State and Ilesa, Osun State.

Alufa, who doubles as publisher of an Ekiti-based tabloid, Ekiti Summit Newspaper, added that the award aspect comes up much earlier, on 31st July.

He also announced that the medium will honour a total of 25 distinguished Nigerians whose activities had positive impact on ordinary people in 2025.

According to him, the festival would bring together traditional rulers, top government officials, scholars, cultural enthusiasts, historians, and personalities from across Nigeria and beyond.

He said those who were expedited to witness the event would gather to celebrate the enduring legacy of one of the most celebrated figures of the then Ekiti-Parapo (Kiriji) War and the Yoruba peace settlement era.

The fiesta, themed: “Ogedengbe Agbogungboro Legacy: Leadership, Security, and Statecraft for Modern Governance in Nigeria”, he said, was designed to preserve Yoruba historical memory, promote cultural tourism, and connect indigenous leadership values with contemporary governance and nation-building.

Alufa explained that the opening-day activities would focus on paying homage to the ancestral homeland of Ogedengbe Agbogungboro.

“The event will also feature traditional rites, cultural receptions, heritage storytelling, and historical reflections on the warrior’s origin, identity, and early life.

“Community leaders, historians, and cultural custodians are expected to lead conversations aimed at deepening public understanding of Yoruba heritage and historical continuity.

“The second day will feature a guided heritage excursion to the historic Kiriji War Memorial Peace Treaty Site in Imesi-Ile, Osun State.

“Besides, guests will visit notable historical landmarks, including: Ogedengbe Cave Bunker, Imesi -Ile, Ibu Latoosa Historical Site, Imesi -Ile, Yoruba Peace Treaty Grove, Imesi-Ile, and Afe Babalola Gardens, Okemesi-Ekiti, among others”, he said.

Continuing, Alufa said the grand finale would feature the Ogedengbe Legacy Awards and Hall of Fame Investiture, where distinguished individuals would be honoured for excellence in leadership, culture, public service, and contributions to society.

“A major highlight of the event will be the distinguished personality lecture, in honour of legal icon and elder statesman, Afe Babalola (SAN)”, he said.