This year’s Ogbomoso Cradle Carnival held between December 19 and 22, at the Soun Ogunlola Township Stadium, Ogbomoso attracted hundreds of indigenous socio-cultural associations from home and the Diaspora. The carnival, which was in its second edition, was more than a cultural celebration, as the various activities were in synch with themes of endurance, unity and shared purpose, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.
For four days, the university town of Ogbomoso, Oyo state wore a new look. It ransformed not only into a carnival ground, but also a vibrant tapestry woven from memory, identity and opportunity. And no fewer than 100 indigenous socio-cultural associations from across Nigeria and the diaspora converged on the Soun Ogunlola Township Stadium, Ogbomoso ardoned in stunning and colourful traditional attire. Their mission was to pay respects to the reverred Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III. The event was the second Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival 2025 held last month. The parades were not mere spectacles—they were powerful affirmations of belonging, echoing with celebration and pride.
The carnival, which kicked off Thursday, December 19, showcased rich cultural rites, tantalising exhibitions of local cuisine, mesmerizing masquerades, and the infectious energy of traditional drumming. Spiritual reflections led by Araba of Osogbo, Chief Yemi Elebuibon, spiced the occasion with a contemplative spirituality. He extolled the revival of Yoruba cultural consciousness while lauding the monarch’s pivotal role in rejuvenating pride in indigenous heritage.
Providing recreational opportunities for participants, a US-based indigene, Adebayo Majolagbe, organised a 170-kilometre Grand Fondo Cycling Tour beginning from Ogbomoso to Iseyin and back, featuring over 100 cyclists through landscapes that now gleamed with the promise of tourism. The Ogbomoso Marathon, held on Saturday, also amplified themes of endurance, unity and shared purpose.
All through the city, the carnival literarily revitalised everyday life. Markets thrummed with energy, hotels reported full occupancy and transport operators extended their routes and hours, while food vendors, artisans and entertainers basked in heightened patronage. This celebration turned culture into currency, directly infusing vitality into the local economy.
Traditional games, golf tournaments, and youth-centered activities intertwined seamlessly with regal ceremonies. The grand celebration of Odun Oole Oba, uniting the five ruling houses, and the installation of new chiefs—including Dr. Saka Balogun as Balogun of Ogbomosoland and Prof Adesola Adepoju as Asiwaju of Ogbomosoland—drew dignitaries and returnees to the palace, bridging governance, tradition and community.
Adding verve to the entire celebration was the Oyo State Cultural Troupe, which thrilled the residents with scintilating dance, music, and performances on Ajilete Day. These were presented alongside contemporary entertainers. And the streets morphed into vibrant communal spaces filled with laughter, rhythm and shared pride.
Political and community leaders echoed this prevailing exuberance. Senator Buhari Abdulfatai hailed the carnival as a living manifestation of unity and cultural confidence, while Prof Adepoju reflected on the heartfelt returns of many indigenes who had been away for years, all moved by the scale and organization of the event.
In its second year, the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival accomplished something rare—it made culture profoundly personal again, turning roads into routes of return, festivals into family reunions, and heritage into a dynamic, thriving economy.
Speaking on the occasion, Oba Ghandi recalled the philosophy behind the name ‘cradle’ articulating how it encapsulates Ogbomoso’s identity as a wellspring of art, music, values, bravery, enterprise, and creativity—elements that continuously give birth to greatness.
“This carnival reminds us that we are more than a city. We are a cradle of greatness,” the monarch declared passionately. “A cradle of music, art, dance, innovation, enterprise, values, dreams and limitless potential. From these cradles, greatness was born, and from these same cradles, greatness shall rise again.”
He described the carnival as both a jubilant celebration and a transformative movement—one capable of sparking a cultural and economic renaissance in Ogbomoso. Recalling the sacrifices of the town’s forebears, the monarch urged the present generation to maximize the opportunities at their fingertips.
“Our forefathers built with less. If they stood tall against challenges, shall we bow to ours?” he inquired rhetorically. “Ogbomoso will not rise because we wish it. Ogbomoso will rise because we rise.”
The monarch underscored unity, diligence, and collective responsibility as the indispensable paths to rediscovering Ogbomoso’s greatness, encouraging youths, professionals, traders, artisans, and farmers alike to see themselves as architects of a new era.
He urged sons and daughters of Ogbomoso residing in Lagos, Abuja, Accra, London, Houston, and beyond to return home, invest, and support cultural initiatives.
“When we stand together, we are Ogbomoso—a name that carries honour wherever it is spoken,” he affirmed, viewing the carnival as an urgent call to transform heritage into prosperity.
Chairman Planning Committee, Hon. Olusegun Dokun Odebunmi, confirmed that the carnival has already begun to catalyze significant socio-economic development in the city. “Without question, this festival has brought immense benefits to Ogbomoso,” he stated, reflecting on the collective spirit of a thriving community ready to embrace its future.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade said: “Well, I think the event has galvanized the importance of this particular event, with regard to the festival going on right now. If you look at the trajectory of events that started last year, in so many respects, it has grown tremendously because the event has galvanized so many interests.
“The people there, the number of people there and the number of representatives of interest which this Carnival has gathered globally. And one of the take homes is that the event is not only a local affair but it has graduated and gravitated from a local affair to a regional affair because we had meetings shown from far-flung areas like Australia, the America, United States of America, all of Europe.
Oyelade explained that the event is going to engender a better framework for next year’s outing.
According to him “we have assurances from what we have seen that the whole edition is going to be better for the cultural evolution of Ogbomoso and the marketing of the potential of our culture and tradition to the entire world. We are very pleased with this event and we are sure that even those that have started before us in Nigeria will have something to emulate from the outing of Ogbomoso Cradle Carnival.”
Commenting on the carnival, the Iyalode of Ogbomoso said: “Well, we need to appreciate His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, who initiated this. So we have done 2024 and this is the second edition, 2025.
We pray it will continue this way.
The Ogbomoso Cradle Carnival came with lot of merriment; on one hand, this is the period of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. And at the same time, it has been listed as part of the Oyo State Vibing December fiesta, which makes the event a gathering for home comers to engage and unite through the one-week-long Carnival.”
