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OGEDENGBE FIESTA:
YORUBA LEADERS SET TO CELEBRATE ENDURING LEGACY OF SARAIBI OGEDENGBE AGBOGUNGBORO
…Events To Feature Aare Afe Babalola, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, General Olufemi Oluyede, others
The Organising Committee of Ogedengbe Fiesta 2026 cordially invites the general public to the three-day annual celebration held in honour of the legendary 19th-century Yoruba war hero, military strategist, patriot, and statesman, Saraibi Ogedengbe Agbogungboro (1822–29 July ,1910).
This was contained in a statement made public by the Festival Director, Femi Alufa.
The Fiesta is scheduled to hold from Wednesday, 29 July to Friday, 31 July 2026, across historic locations that played significant roles in the Kiriji (Ekiti-Parapo) War and the history of the Yoruba people:
– ATORIN, Atakumosa East Local Government Area, Osun State – the ancestral home of Ogedengbe Agbogungboro.
– IMESI-ILE, Osun State – the historic town where the Kiriji Peace Treaty was signed on 23 September 1886, bringing an end to the sixteen-year Yoruba Civil War.
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– OKEMESI-EKITI, Ekiti State – the birthplace of Prince Fabunmi Isola Adesoye (Oraralada), whose actions ignited the Ekiti-Parapo War of Liberation in 1877.
– ILESA, Osun State – the capital of Ijesaland, home of Ogedengbe Agbogungboro, and venue of the grand finale.
OGEDENGBE HEROES POSTHUMOUS AWARDS 2026
( Ekiti State Indigenes)
Award notification letters have been forwarded to the families of the following distinguished heroes in recognition of their invaluable contributions to the Ekiti-Parapo War and the defence of Yoruba heritage:
1. HRM Oba Oriade Okinbaloye –The Oore of Otun-Ekiti (1860–1890)
2. HRM Oba Olamiloye Oyiyosoye– The Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti (1866–1901)
3. HRM Oba Odundun Olayisade I – The Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti
4 . Prince Fabunmi Isola Adesoye (Oraralada ) – Okemesi-Ekiti
5. Commander Dada – Patriarch of the Osuntokun Family , Aro Ogeregere Compound, Okemesi-Ekiti
6. Commander Itiola Odeyale– Ancestor of the Kayegbo Family, Okemesi-Ekiti
7. Olomofe Otirigijuda –Kiriji War General, Ijero-Ekiti
8 . Olomese Osho Adekuujale – Patriarch of the Otoki, Alufa and Saade Ajayi Osigba Olode Dynasties, Ijero-Ekiti
9. Faboro the Great – Kiriji War General, Ido-Ekiti
10. Aduloju the Great –
Renowned Ekiti War General, Idemo Quarters, Ado-Ekiti
OGEDENGBE LEGACY AWARDS & HALL OF FAME INDUCTION 2026
(Ekiti State Indigenes)
The following eminent Nigerians of Ekiti State origin will be honoured in recognition of their exceptional leadership, distinguished service, and enduring contributions to national development and the preservation of Yoruba heritage:
1. Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON
2. Senator (Dr.) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON
3. Major General (Dr.) Simeon Kayode Oni (Rtd.)
4.Basorun Akin Osuntokun
5.General Olufemi Oluyede
GRAND FINALE CEREMONY
Date: Friday, 31 July 2026
Venue: Owa Obokun Civic Centre, Ereja Square, Ilesa, Osun State
Time: *11:00 a.m.* (All guests are expected to be seated by 10:30 a.m.)
Families of all Posthumous Awardees, Living Honourees, invited dignitaries, traditional rulers, and members of the public are kindly requested to be seated before the commencement of the programme.
DISTINGUISHED PERSONALITY LECTURE
The 2026 edition of Ogedengbe Fiesta is dedicated to Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON , Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), and Arole Fabunmi of Okemesi-Ekiti, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to education, justice, nation-building, and the preservation of Yoruba history and cultural heritage.
The Distinguished Personality Lecture will be delivered by Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON, Leader of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Lecture Theme
“Ogedengbe Agbogungboro’s Legacy: Leadership, Security and Statecraft for Modern Governance in Nigeria.”
The Organising Committee warmly invites traditional rulers, government officials, members of the diplomatic community, scholars, historians, cultural enthusiasts, descendants of the Ekiti-Parapo heroes, the media, and the general public to participate in this historic celebration.
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