Ogedengbe Fiesta 2026 to Honour Aare Afe Babalola with Distinguished Lecture and Hall of Fame Award
Ogedengbe Fiesta 2026 will honour Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON, during a special Distinguished Personality Lecture and Hall of Fame Investiture in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education, leadership, nation-building, and the preservation of Yoruba heritage.
Aare Afe Babalola is the Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), the Bamofin of Yorubaland, and the Arole Fabunmi Ekitiparapo Jagunmolu Atuluse of Okemesiland.
The three-day fiesta, organised in honour of the legendary Yoruba war hero and statesman Ogedengbe Agbogungboro (1822–1910), is scheduled to hold from Wednesday, July 29 to Friday, July 31, 2026, across:
Atorin
Imesi-Ile
Okemesi-Ekiti
Ilesa
The 2026 edition is themed:
“Ogedengbe Agbogungboro Legacy: Leadership, Security, and Statecraft for Modern Governance in Nigeria.”
According to the organisers, the festival is designed to preserve Yoruba historical heritage, promote cultural tourism, and connect indigenous leadership values with contemporary governance and nation-building.
The fiesta is expected to attract traditional rulers, government officials, scholars, historians, cultural enthusiasts, and distinguished personalities from within and outside Nigeria, all gathering to celebrate the enduring legacy of one of the most revered heroes of the Ekiti-Parapo War and the Yoruba peace settlement era.
Activities for the Fiesta
Planned activities include:
Traditional rites and homage at the ancestral homeland of Ogedengbe Agbogungboro
Cultural receptions and heritage storytelling sessions
Historical reflections on Yoruba identity and continuity
Guided heritage excursions to the historic Kiriji War Memorial Peace Treaty Site
Visits to notable landmarks including:
Ogedengbe Cave Bunker
Ibu Latoosa Historical Site
Yoruba Peace Treaty Grove
Afe Babalola Gardens
The grand finale featuring the Ogedengbe Legacy Awards and Hall of Fame Investiture for distinguished Nigerians making remarkable societal impact.
A major highlight of the fiesta will be the Distinguished Personality Lecture in honour of Aare Afe Babalola, whose achievements in education, philanthropy, leadership, and cultural preservation continue to inspire generations.
The organisers noted that his role as Founder and Chancellor of ABUAD, as well as Arole Fabunmi of Okemesi-Ekiti (Kiriji Fame), aligns closely with the ideals and vision of the Ogedengbe Fiesta.
The honour, according to the committee, recognises Afe Babalola’s exemplary leadership as an elder statesman and celebrates his lifelong contributions to humanity.
E-signed:
Arole Tayo Ogedengbe
Founder/President, Ogedengbe Legacy Foundation
Femi Alufa
Festival Director, Ogedengbe Fiesta 2026 Committee.