By Olayinka Tunde Olufemi
CITIZENS COMPASS— The ancient city of Abeokuta came alive with culture, colours, and community spirit as Egba sons and daughters from around the world gathered for Lisabi Festival 2025. This year’s celebration, themed “Ègbáliganza 2025”, merged deep-rooted traditions with contemporary flair, rekindling pride in Egba heritage while embracing the future.
The week-long festival reached its climax on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the forecourt of the Ake Palace, with a dazzling grand finale featuring glamorous fashion displays of traditional Ofi, Adire, and Afrocentric designs.
At the heart of the celebration was a tribute to Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, the legendary warrior whose bravery and strategic brilliance led the Egba people to freedom in the 18th century. Through dramatic egungun (masquerade) parades, ancestral war dances, and electrifying performances by traditional warriors, his enduring legacy was brought to life, capturing the imagination of all in attendance.
Gracing the occasion were notable dignitaries, including Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr.) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, CFR. Also present were top monarchs such as the Osile of Oke-Ona, Agura of Gbagura, and Olowu of Owu, alongside high chiefs and white-cap chiefs from Lagos and beyond. Cultural icons like Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ladi Adebutu, a 2023 governorship candidate, also joined the celebration.
In his keynote address, Oba Gbadebo emphasized the importance of Lisabi Day as a platform for Egba unity and cultural diplomacy:
“Lisabi represents not only our past but our collective identity and future. We must harness the strength of our heritage to drive progress in education, enterprise, and innovation.”
The festival also honoured distinguished Egba indigenes with awards for excellence in fields such as medicine, academia, business, public service, and the creative arts.
Earlier in the week, the Lisabi Youth Summit united students, entrepreneurs, and community leaders under the theme “Harnessing Culture for Economic Empowerment.” It was a call for the youth to explore opportunities in tourism, agriculture, and digital innovation as tools for development.
Another major highlight was Egba Women’s Day, where women from the five Egba divisions—Ake, Oke-Ona, Owu, Gbagura, and Oke-Egba—paraded in traditional attire, showcasing culinary skills, beadwork, textile art, and healing practices. Their display was a vibrant celebration of feminine creativity and cultural wealth.
Spiritual elements were not left out, with interdenominational services, Jumat prayers, and sacred rites at Lisabi Forest in Oba, seeking divine favour for peace and prosperity across Egbaland.
In a significant move towards development, the Lisabi Development Fund was launched to support scholarships, youth empowerment, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Egba indigenes in the diaspora were encouraged to reconnect with and reinvest in their homeland.
As the celebration drew to a close with fireworks and a grand reception at the palace, the message was clear: Egba unity is alive and unshakable. Lisabi Festival 2025 was more than a commemoration—it was a rallying cry for pride, purpose, and progress among all Egba sons and daughters.
