OGUN STATE REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO CULTURAL HERITAGE AS COMMISSIONER LEADS GOVERNMENT DELEGATION TO THE 2026 AGEMO CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN IMOSAN
....Government Pledges Greater Support for Agemo Festival, Tourism Development, Heritage Preservation and Community Growth
The ancient town of Imosan in Odogbolu Local Government Area came alive in a magnificent display of culture, spirituality, history and tradition as the 2026 Agemo Cultural Festival attracted thousands of adherent worshippers, traditional rulers, government officials, cultural enthusiasts, community leaders, tourists and members of the media from across Ogun State and beyond.
Representing the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, CON, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief (Dr.) Olusesan Fagbayi, led a high-powered delegation comprising Directors and senior officials of the Ministry to the annual celebration, reaffirming the State Government's unwavering commitment to preserving the rich cultural heritage of Ogun State while promoting tourism as a viable driver of socio-economic development.
On arrival, the Commissioner and his entourage received a warm reception from the Vice-Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government, Hon. Princess Victoria Olusola Adeyinka, the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Deacon Stanley Davies Olunogun, and other government officials.
The colourful annual festival witnessed the convergence of the sixteen (16) Olojas and their priests from the Agemo traditional communities, who gathered in Imosan to celebrate one of Ijebuland's most revered cultural and spiritual festivals.
Clad in their usual magnificent traditional related regalia and accompanied by drummers, cultural groups and devoted followers, each Oloja and his adherents gave impressive accounts of themselves through colourful processions, traditional dances and the performance of sacred rites that have been faithfully preserved for generations.
At the heart of the celebration, the revered Olojas offered fervent prayers for peace, unity, security, prosperity and divine guidance for late Awujale,the upcoming Awujale, Ijebuland, their host Communities, Ogun State, Nigeria, administration of HE Prince Dr Dapo Abiodun as a whole.
Delivering Governor Dapo Abiodun's goodwill message to each of the sixteen Olojas, and respective Alagemos Priests, Chief (Dr.) Olusesan Fagbayi reaffirmed the administration's commitment to preserving and promoting Ogun State's rich cultural identity. He described the Agemo Festival as one of the State's most treasured cultural assets deserving continuous government support and global recognition.
Speaking further during an exclusive interview granted at Rontex Hotel and Suites, Imosan, Ijebu, the Commissioner disclosed that the Ogun State Government has already taken deliberate steps to integrate the Agemo Cultural Festival into the State's official cultural calendar and annual budget.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at institutionalizing the Agemo Festival, ensuring inclusiveness, preserving its authenticity, rebranding its image and positioning it as a world-class cultural tourism destination capable of generating employment, attracting investment, tourist and boosting internally generated revenue.
Dr. Fagbayi further revealed that Governor Dapo Abiodun's administration is open to strategic partnerships with individuals, communities, cultural organizations and private investors through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) towards rebuilding and developing the sacred Agemo Groves in Imosan and Ijebu-Ode into internationally recognized tourism destinations.
He noted that such partnerships would preserve the spiritual and historical significance of the sacred groves while stimulating tourism, cultural education, community development and sustainable economic growth.
As a practical demonstration of Governor Dapo Abiodun's goodwill, the Commissioner presented financial support to each of the sixteen Olojas, Priests and extended the Governor's heartfelt greetings and appreciation to all Traditional Rulers, cultural custodians, stakeholders and Ijebu sons and daughters across the globe celebrating the Agemo Festival.
He equally acknowledged and appreciated the hospitality extended to his delegation by the leadership of Odogbolu Local Government, particularly the Vice-Chairman, the Secretary to the Local Government, other officials and Chief Mrs Ronke aka Mama Rontex whose collaborative efforts contributed to the success of the visit.
One of the major highlights of the visit was an extensive interactive question-and-answer interview session between the Commissioner and the Olojas and subsequently the Gentlemen of the Press.
The engagement with the Olojas of Agemo provided the opportunity to present the challenges confronting their priesthood, traditional roles, communities Interrelationships, while outlining their expectations from both the Ogun State Government and their respective Local Government Councils.
Speaking during the session, the Tami of Odogbolu appreciated Governor Dapo Abiodun's renewed interest in preserving the Agemo Festival but appealed for increased intervention in preserving sacred cultural sites, improving access roads to festival locations and strengthening traditional institutions.
The Posa of Imosan expressed gratitude for the Commissioner's visit and passionately appealed for the rehabilitation and redevelopment of the sacred Agemo Grove in Imosan, describing it as a priceless spiritual heritage and tourism asset capable of attracting both local and international tourist visitors from across the world if properly developed.
The Ija Oloko of Ago-Iwoye advocated stronger collaboration between government and traditional institutions in promoting indigenous culture among younger generations. He called for improved funding for cultural festivals, cultural education and greater recognition of traditional rulers as partners in community development.
Similarly, the Magodo of Aiyepe commended the Governor's commitment to cultural development but urged the government to complement its policies with visible infrastructural projects, tourism facilities, environmental beautification, youth empowerment programmes and improved security during cultural festivals.
Responding to the various requests, Chief (Dr.) Olusesan Fagbayi thanked the Agemo Oloja fathers for their frank observations and assured them that every concern raised would be communicated to Governor Dapo Abiodun. He reiterated the government's commitment to working closely with traditional institutions in preserving Ogun State's cultural heritage and promoting sustainable tourism development.
The Commissioner emphasized that traditional and cultural stakeholders remain indispensable partners in community development and assured them that the formal inclusion of the Agemo Festival in the State's cultural and tourism calendar, backed by budgetary provisions, would guarantee improved organization, sustainability and wider international visibility.
Beyond his engagement with the Olojas, the Commissioner also met with the Olorishas, Agemo priests and other traditional custodians at the sacred Agemo Grove in Imosan, acknowledging their vital role in preserving one of Ijebuland's oldest spiritual institutions. Ijebu Ode groove was equally included in each discussion accordingly.
The sacred grove became the spiritual focal point of the festival as thousands of worshippers, cultural enthusiasts, visitors and tourists witnessed the rich traditional ceremonies. The atmosphere resonated with chants, rhythmic drumming, symbolic processions and sacred rituals that reflected the enduring values of the Agemo institution.
In keeping with centuries-old custom, Onigbeden, alongside other revered Agemo priests, performed the sacred rites and ceremonial obligations traditionally carried out on behalf of the Awujale of Ijebuland. With the revered stool currently in an interregnum, these rites were conducted under the authority and supervision of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, ensuring the uninterrupted observance of customs and traditions that have guided the Agemo Festival for generations.
The Commissioner's interaction with the Olorishas and traditional priests further demonstrated the Ogun State Government's respect for indigenous institutions and its recognition that traditional religion and culture remain integral to preserving the identity, history and unity of the Ijebu people.
Present at the reception were Hon. Princess Victoria Olusola Adeyinka (Vice-Chairman, Odogbolu Local Government); Hon. Deacon Stanley Davies Olunogun (BabaPress/Onigege-Ara), Secretary to the Local Government; Hon. Chief Mrs. Ronke Carew (Rontex), Special Adviser to the Governor and Iyalode of Imodi; Hon. Olajide Balogun, Supervisor for Culture and Chieftaincy Matters; Mr. Femi Onileagbon, Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to the Executive Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Oyetola Diya; Prince Adewale, Chairman of NULGE, Odogbolu Branch, who led members of the Community Development Department; Hon. Shuaib Ladejobi; Rt. Hon. Adeniji; Sr. Samuel A. Adetoye, alongside numerous traditional chiefs, community leaders and invited guests.
Chief (Dr.) Olusesan Fagbayi was accompanied throughout the visit by Directors and senior officials of the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The event also enjoyed extensive media coverage by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and several Media organizations, including Ijebu Today Magazine, Today RadioTV Online Station, Igboro Lawa, National Globe Magazine, Bold Africa, Companion Newspaper, ANBROAD and FIBAN members, and other independent Journalists, Media practitioners and bloggers.
Beyond its colourful pageantry, the 2026 Agemo Cultural Festival stood as a powerful testimony to the resilience of Ijebu cultural heritage, the enduring relevance of traditional institutions and the collective determination of government and stakeholders to preserve the customs handed down through generations.
With the Ogun State Government reaffirming its commitment through policy support, budgetary inclusion, strategic partnerships and infrastructural development, stakeholders expressed optimism that the Agemo Festival is steadily evolving into a globally recognized cultural tourism destination—one capable of preserving Ijebu heritage, attracting international visitors, generating sustainable revenue, creating employment opportunities and strengthening the socio-economic development of Odogbolu, Ijebuland and Ogun State as a whole.
Report byFemi Mebude
Publisher/Editor for
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