The 2022 annual Okebadan festival in Ibadan is set to take place on the 9th of March at Mapo Hall. The festival serves as a strong unifying factor for the indigenes and residents of Ibadanland, during which irrespective of the different social, economic, religious, and political convictions of the people, they all come together annually to celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of the ancient city.
According to the Festival Consultant, Seun Oluwajana in a statement said that the festival which celebrates the establishment of Ibadanland from the Lagelu descendants has been in its rebranding stage since 2017 where drastic changes have been observed because the festival has been long overdue to be on the global Map while the custodian of the festival, Aboke of Ibadan land, Chief Ifasola Ifamapowa is doing everything necessary to make our plans come to reality. The goal is to ensure that the festival is enlisted in the UNESCO calendar so as to make it a tourist attractive project and serve as an income generator for the state government and nation at large. He added.
The events for this year’s edition of the festival includes indigenous music and performances, cultural dance competition, and award presentation.
“All plans are in place to ensure the programs for this year’s edition go on smoothly and that everyone who attends the festival enjoys what has been put together for them,” said Olaolu Akinloye, Project Manager for the 2022 edition of Okebadan Festival in another statement.
The award category has been refined to reward indigenes and residents of Ibadan who have contributed positively to the growth of the ancient city.
