Oyewumi Adebisi & Usman Aroyewun (Trainees)
The organisers of the 38th Igbogbo Day Celebration have unveiled the Ankara fabric for this year’s festival, and also announced series of activities scheduled to be held between November 26 and December 5, 2026, for the weeklong celebration.
The unveiling event took place at the Adeboruwa Palace, Igbogbo, on Saturday, shortly after the community’s Walk for Life, an exercise organised to promote fitness and create awareness for the forthcoming celebration.
The Ankara fabric, which will be used by residents and participants during the festival, will be sold at ₦10,000 per six yards.
The unveiling of the ankara, its prices and commencement of its sales were handled by the Odofin of Igbogbo Kingdom, High Chief Tajudeen Alade Duduyemi Onasanya who represented the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali Emugoriade I, at the event.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Alhaji Sheriff Jinodu, said the committee has commenced preparations for the celebration. He, however, explained challenges faced in securing sponsorship, but expressed confidence that the celebration would be successful.Oyewumi Adebisi & Usman Aroyewun (Trainees)
The organisers of the 38th Igbogbo Day Celebration have unveiled the Ankara fabric for this year’s festival, and also announced series of activities scheduled to be held between November 26 and December 5, 2026, for the weeklong celebration.
The unveiling event took place at the Adeboruwa Palace, Igbogbo, on Saturday, shortly after the community’s Walk for Life, an exercise organised to promote fitness and create awareness for the forthcoming celebration.
The Ankara fabric, which will be used by residents and participants during the festival, will be sold at ₦10,000 per six yards.
The unveiling of the ankara, its prices and commencement of its sales were handled by the Odofin of Igbogbo Kingdom, High Chief Tajudeen Alade Duduyemi Onasanya who represented the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali Emugoriade I, at the event.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Alhaji Sheriff Jinodu, said the committee has commenced preparations for the celebration. He, however, explained challenges faced in securing sponsorship, but expressed confidence that the celebration would be successful.
Alhaji Jinadu announced that the programme for the celebration would begin on Thursday, November 26, with Iwure, followed by a Special Jumat Service on Friday, November 27. There will also be Adeboruwa concert later on the same day.
Saturday, November 28, will feature another fitness walk and Fanti Carnival, while there will be Health Programme on November 30th. Cultural Display and Indoor Games are scheduled for Tuesday, December 1.
Educational Programmes and the Final of the Adeboruwa Football Championship will take place on Wednesday, December 2, follow by Market Men and Women/CDC Day and Career Counselling, on Thursday, December 3.
Civil Service Day and Youth Gala Night will hold on Friday, December 4, while the celebration will climax with the Grand Finale on Saturday, December 5, at the Adeboruwa Palace.
Alhaji Jinadu said this year’s grand finale would be different, and assured that the committee would maintain the standard of the annual celebration.
On the Ankara fabric for the celebration, he explained that its unveiling was delayed because the committee wanted to ensure that the material was affordable without compromising its quality.
“The cloth we picked for this year was delayed a bit because we were ensuring it was cost-effective while still maintaining quality. Six yards will go for 10,000 naira, and God will provide for us all to be able to purchase it”, he said.
He added that the palace would serve as the sales point, with the secretary coordinating its distribution through two designated vendors.
Speaking earlier, the representative of the Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA), Mr Babatunde Afuwape, described the two activities held on Saturday, as important steps towards the success of the 38th Igbogbo Day celebration.
He said the Walk for Life and the Ankara unveiling were deliberately organised to publicise the festival and ensure that residents were aware of the forthcoming activities.
“We have done two programmes today, and they are very germane. We have done the launch of the cloth for the event and the walk for fitness to make known the event to everyone, which we called ‘Walk for Life”, he said.
Mr Afuwape noted that the walk passed through strategic parts of Igbogbo, making it an effective way of reaching residents and creating awareness about the celebration.
He also urged the media to sustain publicity for the remaining activities, commending journalists and media platforms for their contributions to the turnout at the walk.
The Odofin of Igbogbo Kingdom, High Chief Tajudeen Alade Duduyemi Onasanya, said the traditional institution and relevant stakeholders have been making efforts to ensure a successful celebration.
He acknowledged the contributions of the IDEA leadership, particularly the development work being undertaken towards the construction of a new town hall, but called for explanation on the state of the proposed project which was flagged off about two years ago.
“People have been asking us about it, and we have been telling them to be patient. Since the road has been tarred, we can just set up our tents there for the event. We can just clear the place and use it for that day”, High Chief Onasanya suggested.
He expressed hope that the IDEA would respond to the request, noting that the community had expected the town hall would serve as the venue for this year’s celebration.
Also speaking, the Balogun of Igbogbo, Chief Jelili Oduntan, offered prayers for the success of the activities and the well-being of residents who participated in the fitness walk.
Chief Oduntan said the Adeboruwa has entrusted the traditional chiefs with the responsibilities of ensuring a successful celebration, adding that the publicity activities have commenced towards bringing the festival to the attention of the wider community.
The 38th Igbogbo Day Celebration is expected to bring together indigenes, residents and visitors for series of religious, cultural, sporting and social activities, with the grand finale scheduled for December 5.
