The Egbas have concluded plans for the 39th Lisabi Festival with the theme,” Integrating Apprenticeship Training into Education: Opportunities and Challenges”, aimed to again exhibit the rich tradition and culture of the ancient town.
Penpushing reports that Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, made this known on Monday at a press conference held at Alake Palace, Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.
The first-class traditional ruler accompanied by his chiefs and the members of the planning committee at the press conference boasted that the celebration has berthed with its pomp and pageantry
‘Let it be sounded and richly re-echoed from the four corners of the universe that our season of genuine in-depth celebration has berthed with its pomp, pageantry and above all, its rich stock of transfomatory agents which has constantly ignited and kept aglow, the remarkable achievements of Egbaland till date and the ever forward looking, resilient, hardworking progressive heroic spirit in every true EGBA Sons and Daughters’, he stated.
Penpushing further reports that Gbadebo disclosed that as usual all sons and daughters of the ancient town, including those in Diaspora would be active participants at the ceremony with line up number of programmes
‘It is no gainsaying that we are richly endowed with an enviable heritage which we have kept very dear to our hearts with every generation from Inception till date, adding qualitative inputs to make it globally attractive, stronger, formidable, acceptable and effectively contributing immensely to the building of Egbaland’, Gbadebo added.
‘This year, in tune with the progressive, nation-building and emancipatory spirit of our forebears, especially Lisabi Agbongboakala, the theme of the festival is ” Integrating Apprenticeship Training into Education: opportunities and challenges”,.
‘This couldn’t have been more appropriate when we consider the current counter – progressive trends occasioned by a massive shift of our youths away from hard work, professional callings, and technical vocations, which serve as core pillars and drivers of sustainable, enduring development’.
‘In this vein, I salute and appreciate the constant timely interventions of the organising committee for always rising up to these marauding challenges to uphold and continuously nurture the real constituents of Egbaland development in the present and in the near future. A maa ju yin se o’, Gbadebo said
‘Lisabi Festival this year in its usual grand characteristics, has been rejigged, revitalised and infused with great innovative ingredients yet unconditionally upholding its unique primary essential basis to offer our people and guests a holistic experience befitting the status of our revered Lisabi Festival’.
Penpushing also reports that the monarch reeled out activities for the ceremony which include Exhibition of LUXAIR at the Amphitheatre, Ake, on Wednesday March 18,2026, – Chieftaincy Installations on Saturday March 21,2026 and Ipate Agbongboakala (Lisabi Trade fair) on Sunday March 22, 2026.
The other events are the booming of Guns at Olumo Rock on Monday, March 23 ,2026, rolling of the 2026 Lisabi Drum of Nations by Gbadebo at the Amphitheatre, Ake Palace, Abeokuta, as well as public mobilisation by women and youths in a carnival-like procession with floats.
Penpushing reports that Alake added that other activities include traditional Ayo Game at Adire Hall, Ake Palace, Community Football Competition (Semi Finals) at St. Peters College, Olomore, Abeokuta and final wrestling competition with rendition of Kete traditional music at the Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta.
The programmes include another round of Ipate Agbongboakala (Lisabi Trade Fair) on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, exhibition of Egbaland Indigenous Arts and Crafts at the Amphitheatre, Ake Palace, Abeokuta
Penpushing further reports that the final Secondary School Quiz Competition will hold at Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta, final Secondary School Debate Competition at the Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta and the Charity Initiative (Donation of Beds and Beddings at Oba Gbadebo Memorial Hospital at Isale Ijeun, Abeokuta and provision of Food Stuffs to the vulnerable by EGBA United Society (EUS) Manchester.
The Wednesday, March 25, 2026, includes Ipate Agbongboakala (Lisabi Trade Fair), a free eye test by Egba Descendants Community Association (EDCA) at the Centenary Hall, Ake Abeokuta, seminar on integrating apprenticeship
Penpushing also reports that others are training into education: opportunities and challenges, at Hall, Ake, Abeokuta, to be handled by Princess Seun Food bank Charity Foundation, as well as Lisabi Community Football Competition (3rd place and final matches) and distribution of Medals at Moshood Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto, Abeokuta.
The programmes outlined for Thursday, March 26,2026 include Ipate Agbongboakala (Lisabi Trade Fair), procession to Igbo Lisabi by Obas, Chiefs, Baales, eminent personalities, youths and others.
Penpushing reports that there will be medical outreach, Dames Hub Initiative at Adire Hall Ake Palace, Abeokuta, Princess Seun Food bank Charity Foundation continues at the Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta and visit to 2026 Hero of the Year: The Oyekan Royal Family on Friday, March 27, 2026
The programmes explained that visit to Olumo Rock with a stopover at Itoku Cenotaph and at Sodeke’s graveside by Alake and his entourage, as well as traditional prayers at Olumo Rock and cultural entertainment by different cultural troupes at Olumo Rock open ground in collaboration with Oodua People’s Congress led by Iba Are Onakakanfo of Yorubaland.
Penpushing further reports that Princess Seun Food bank Charity Foundation continues at the Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta, Juma’at Service at the Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta, Dinner/ Award at Adire Hall, Ake Palace, Abeokuta, with music entertainment by Sir Shina Peters.
The programmes added that cultural ophrah/ by Bereola and crowning of Mr and Mrs Adire Egba at the Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta on Friday, March 28, 2026, and grand finale at Amphitheatre, Ake Palace, Abeokuta, with Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun as Special Guest of Honour
Penpushing also reports that additional events are work dance and horse riding beginning from the four sections amid funfair, royal brothers’ parade, parade of nations by Egbaliganza, fashion Club Procession by Egbaliganza, display by Egbaliganza band, Irin Akikanju and Aro Merin display by Egbaliganza.
There will be homage by the Egba Chiefs, Baales, Associations, Club/Societies, Youths and the Lisabi Festival Committee members, Nigeria Distillers Limited (Seamans), Presentation of Cash Award to Adire Bonanza Winner by Alake and presentation of Scholarship by Egba National Association, USA/Canada
Penpushing reports these include musical interlude by Chief (Evangelist) Ebenezer Obey- Fabiyi Amuludun Egba and Sakara Orchestra, congratulatory and goodwill messages, youths’ musical concert/ Lafun Night at the Amphitheatre, Ake Palace, Abeokuta.
The Thanksgiving service at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta is scheduled to hold on Sunday, March 29, 2026, followed by a reception by Egba Chiefs at Ake Palace, Abeokuta, and at 12:00 midnight there will be a display of Oro.
