Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
The Ibeshe Kingdom is set to hold second edition of its annual festival, between December 7th and 13th, 2026, with the aim of consolidating on the success of last year’s celebration.
The date and programmes of events for the celebration were unveiled at a press conference held at the Ibeshe Town Hall, Ibeshe on Tuesday.
This year edition of the festival is themed, “One Community, Many Hands, ” emphasising the importance of collectiveness in community development.
At the event, His Royal Majesty, Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya, Bisoro 1, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe Kingdom, unveiled the celebration fabric and declared its sales.
Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, the Asiwaju of Ibeshe presenting the programmes for the 2nd Ibeshe Festival informed the cultural nature of the annual celebration will be expanded.
”The second anniversary will also consolidate existing initiatives through an expanded cultural parade, traditional displays, vocational and entrepreneurial skills exhibitions. Made-in-lbeshe Exhibition, Food Fair, Talent Hunt, Football and Community Games, Free Health Outreach and Community Awards.”
Explaining the significance of the theme, the IKIDAS Chairman, noted that while the maiden edition established the greatness and potential of Ibeshe, the second anniversary is designed to mobilise collective action towards sustaining that progress.
The committee emphasised that no single individual, family, institution or group can independently drive the development of a community.Rather, the collective contributions of traditional rulers, community leaders, professionals, traders, artisans, farmers. women, youths, corporate partners and indigenes in the diaspora are essential to building the Ibeshe of the future.
He called on all stakeholders to embrace the spirit of partnership, participation and shared responsibility, stressing that every contribution, regardless of size, matters in the collective pursuit of progress.
”As Ibeshe looks towards another year of growth, the message remains clear: the future of the community depends on the unity, commitment and collective efforts of its people, ” he said.
Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe Kingdom, in his royal remarks charged the people of Ibeshe, both indigenes or residents to embrace unity and love and live with one another peacefully.
The royal father also urged them to cooperate and support IKIDAS towards another successful edition, and appealed to residents to patronise the association’s Ankara fabric for the celebration.
Oba Ogunsanya also tasked his Baales on mobilising residents in their respective communities to participate fully in the celebration.
While appreciating IKIDAS for their efforts in ensuring success of the first edition and for developmental projects, Olubeshe further charged them to do more this year.
A chieftain of IKIDAS and forner Permanent Secretary with the Lagos State Government, Dr Shamsideen Allison, stressed the importance of the celebration to community development.
*We all understand that what we are doing here today is very important. It is significant to the development of our community. It is important for preserving our culture and promoting the traditions and cultural heritage that we have in community.”
”It is also important because it provides an opportunity to mobilise our youths and encourage them to participate in activities that will contribute to the development of our community.”
He also added that annual community day celebration aids growth of the local economy and promote tourism development.
”Furthermore, the programme is important to the local economy and tourism. Events like this help promote our community and attract visitors from different places who come to see and experience what is happening in Ibese.”
”It also promotes social relationships, togetherness and unity among the people of Ibeshe Kingdom, including residents and traditional stakeholders,” he said.
Programme of events for the celebration of 2nd Ibeshe Kingdom Festival
This year’s edition will kick off with a Boat Regatta (Okosi) on Monday 7th of December, at the Ibeshe Ferry Terminal. Other activities for the opening day are Cultural Display; Worp; Iwure Odun and Card 52 Competition, Draft, Ludo and other games.
On Day two, Wednesday 9th December, CDAs, Market Women, Artisan, Ethnic groups will pay homage to the Olubeshe at the Kith & Kin Sports Complex, Owode-Ibeshe. There will also be horse ride.
Jumat service at the Ibeshe Central Mosque will hold on Friday 11th December, 2026.
The grand finale which is also scheduled for Kith & Kin Sports Complex will feature presentation of Miss Ibeshe 2026; Regberegbe parade; Baales parade; Presentation and reappraisal of Ibeshe kingdom vision “Ibeshe Arise”; Ibeshe pubic schools award and IKIDAS special awards.
Thanksgiving service for the celebration is slated for Sunday 13th December, 2026 at the Methodist Church, Ibeshe.
