Why Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival is bringing indigenes home for five-day celebration – Odebunmi

The need to preserve Ogbomoso’s cultural heritage, strengthen unity among its people and reconnect indigenes living in the diaspora with their ancestral roots will take centre stage at the third edition of the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival, scheduled to hold from December 17 to 21, 2026.

The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Hon. Segun Dokun Odebunmi, disclosed this at a world press conference held at the Palace of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, where he outlined the objectives and programme of activities for the five-day event.

He said the carnival was conceived as part of the 25-year development agenda of the Soun, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, with the aim of using cultural activities to promote a shared sense of identity among Ogbomoso indigenes, irrespective of where they live.

Odebunmi said the event would feature traditional ceremonies, sporting competitions, religious activities, exhibitions and musical performances, providing opportunities for residents, visitors and indigenes abroad to participate in the celebration.

“The beauty of our culture is in our diversity, but the strength of our culture is in our unity,” he said.

According to the programme released by the committee, activities will begin on Thursday, December 17, with the Gran Fondo cycling competition from Iseyin to Ogbomoso.

The opening day will also feature local food and art exhibitions, the official opening ceremony at Soun Ogunlola Arena, traditional hunters’ displays, Bata acrobatic dances and musical performances at the palace.

On Friday, December 18, activities will include special Islamic prayers, installation of chieftaincy titles, Jumat service and the traditional Odun Oole celebration, alongside musical performances.

Saturday, December 19, will feature the Ogbomoso Marathon and Oba Ghandi Golf Tournament at the Ogbomoso Recreation Club.

Indoor competitions in chess, scrabble and Ayo Olopon will also take place, alongside the finals of pre-carnival competitions.

On Sunday, December 20, the programme will include the third anniversary coronation thanksgiving service of Oba Olaoye, a book launch and public presentation, as well as a sensitisation and training programme for persons with autism.

A musical concert and award night are also scheduled for the day.

The five-day event will end on Monday, December 21, with Ajilete Day at the Soun Stadium.

The programme will feature traditional homage-paying by socio-cultural groups, clubs and associations to the Soun, with the Oyo State Governor and other dignitaries expected to attend.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the state government had participated in the planning of the carnival since its inception three years ago.

He said Governor Seyi Makinde had involved officials of the ministries responsible for Culture and Tourism, Information, and Agriculture in the planning process.

“From the onset, three years ago, when the new Oba came to the throne, the Oyo State Government has been actively involved in the planning.“

“The state government, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, literally donated two commissioners, three, indeed.“

“The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, who is an Ijebu man but was a member because of his position; the Commissioner for Information, who is my good self, a true-born of Ogbomoso; and the Commissioner for Agriculture, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olajuyigbe, have all participated all along.“

“The governor has been very inclusive and involving in everything that the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival represents,” he said.

On security, Oyelade said the organisers had constituted between eight and 10 committees, including a security committee comprising serving military officers, retired military personnel and senior police officers.

He said some members of the security team had served in operations in Sierra Leone, Eastern Europe and Liberia, adding that the state government was supporting the security arrangements.

“We have a security committee populated by professional security personalities, and we are not short of them from Ogbomoso. You know we are a land of warriors.

“So you have serving military officers, including generals, retired military officers, including those who have tested battles in places like Sierra Leone, Eastern Europe, Liberia, everywhere, and top-notch police officers.

“We have geared up, and government is supportive. We have assured our people that there is no cause for concern,” he said.

Oyelade also said the number of Ogbomoso indigenes returning from the diaspora for the carnival had tripled, while hotels across the town had been fully booked.

He attributed the reported increase in attendance to growing confidence in the town’s security and development prospects, particularly the 25-year development agenda initiated by Oba Olaoye.

He expressed optimism that at least 50 per cent of the objectives of the development plan could be achieved within its first 10 years.

“The 25-year development agenda set up and initiated by Oba Afolabi Ghandi, the new Oba of Ogbomosoland, Orumogege III, has equally boosted the confidence of so many people, especially smart investors, to see that we have gone a long way in three years.

“It is a 25-year development plan, but in 10 years, we should be able to achieve at least 50 per cent, or be closer to it, of the overall intentions and objectives of the 25-year development agenda,” he said.