Stakeholders Seek Support For Entrenchment of Cultural, Traditional Rites As Ode Festival 2026 Presided By Obalodo of Oye Ekiti Kingdom Approaches

Members of the Ejio group from the neighbouring communities in the old Oye Kingdom have promised to support and promote the institution of Obalodo of the Oye Kingdom currently being occupied by High Chief (Hon) Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, in its quest to revamp the cultural ties and values .

They gave this commitment during a meeting hosted by Obalodo,preparing for the celebration of the 2026 edition of the annual Ode Festival.

The well attended meeting was graced by the Iya Abiye of Ilupeju, Chief Arike Ojo ; Aworo Owa of Ilupeju, Chief James Oke; Olu- Ode of Idofin, Oye-Ekiti, Chief Sesan Abe .Also.stvthecmerting were the representative of Obalodo in Ayegbaju-Ekiti, Mr Bayo Bamidele ; and Chairman of Ejio youths in Oye-Ekiti, Chief Ayodele Komolafe.

The Ejio group constitute strong men equipped with traditional and cultural values , knowledge and discipline.

Speaking at joint press briefing , Chief Oguntoyinbo said what binds the communities together is the institution of Obalodo.

He urged the representative of the neighbouring communities to give their full support for the celebration of the Ode festival popularly called Oro Oye.

According to Obalodo the essence of the festival was to pray for unity, peace and security of the community and well being of indigenes.

He explained that the origin of the festival has brought love, peace, security and development to communities that are connected to the old Oye Kingdom before civilization came into existence.

Obalodo said indigenes of communities such as Ayegbaju Ekiti formerly called Arigidi, Ilupeju -Ekiti being called Eseta ikosi, and Ire, Ogbo meta, Irona, Irare, Egbe in the old Oye Kingdom always join Obalodo to celebrate the annual festival.

He explained that all the communities were formerly under the old Oye Kingdom and the chiefs from the towns always bring different gifts for Obalodo to celebrate the festival.

Oguntoyinbo thanked the representatives of Ejio members in Ayegbaju, Ilupeju and Ire-Ekiti and other communities for their support for the institution of Obalodo.

Obalodo, however appealed to the state government to give adequate recognition to Ode festival just like Udiroko, festival being celebrated in Ado-Ekiti by sons and daughters of the town from diaspora.

Oguntoyinbo appealed to the State Government to support Odun Ode popularly called “Oro Oye” festival because of its significance for peace security and unity of the town.

Similarly, the representative of the Ilupeju -Ekiti, Chief James Oke, the Aworo of Owa of Ilupeju, said he was delighted with the commitment of Chief Oguntoyinbo to revive the traditions and culture of Oye Kingdom.

Chief Oke said the forthcoming Ode festival is not a ritual but a festival of celebration of love, peace and security, to promote the development of Oye Kingdom and its neighbouring communities.

He said Obalodo who is the chief priest of the festival, also doubles as the head of Ejio group and Obalatan in Oye Kingdom.

He said the meeting of Ejio group ushers in the preparation of the annual Ode festival on Feb.4 every year.

Chief Oke said the indigenes and chiefs of Ilupeju -Ekiti are fully in support of the institution of Obalodo and are ready to promote the Ode festival.

Also, Chief Olufemi Babalola, Representative of Elemoyin and Apota in Oye Kingdom, urged the state government to support the vigilante group who are members of the Ejio group in Oye Kingdom and its neighbouring communities.

Babalola urged the government to empower them with vehicles and weapons to further strengthen the security of the communities.

In the same vein, Chief Rotimi Awolusi of Ilupeju -Ekiti said the buffalo horns being used by Ejio group are very effective for security of the community.

Chief Awolusi appealed to the state government to promote Ode festival to further strengthen the security of the state against invasion of kidnappers , terrorists and armed robbery.

He urged all the stakeholders of government to give priority to the promotion of traditions and culture of every town in Ekiti.

The 2026 Ode festival will start on Feb.8 and end on Feb.14, in Oye-Ekiti.

Chief Awolusi appealed to the state government to promote Ode festival to further strengthen the security of the state against invasion of kidnappers , terrorists and armed robbery.

He urged all the stakeholders of government to give priority to the promotion of traditions and culture of every town in Ekiti.

The 2026 Ode festival will start on Feb.8 and end on Feb.14, in Oye-Ekiti.

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