It was a vibrant fusion of colours, rhythm and cultural pride as Awori communities from Lagos and Ogun states converged on Nigeria Police College Ground, Ikeja, Lagos, for the second edition of Awori Day 2025, with the theme: “Showcasing Our Culture and Heritage: Inspiring the Future.”
Organised by the Awori Welfare Association of Nigeria (AWAN), the festival drew traditional rulers, cultural troupes, community leaders, youths and guests from within and outside Nigeria.
AWAN National Publicity Secretary, Prince Adeniyi Jafojo, said the event was designed to promote unity and preserve the fast-eroding cultural values of Awori people.
From the opening moments, the arena came alive with the Awori national song, colourful parades and a rich display of indigenous performances, including Egungun, Gelede, Idanku dance, Ajogbo, Ofe, Biriko, Elegba, Oko Aje and other traditional expressions that reflect the spiritual and social identity of the people.
The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Dr. Agbabiaka Adesegun, delivered what many described as the moral anchor of the festival, calling on Awori sons and daughters to set aside divisions and work together for the growth of their communities.
“The future of Aworiland depends on our ability to stand together as one people,” Agbabiaka said. “A community without unity is like a tree without roots. Without unity, development in education, infrastructure and economic empowerment will remain a mirage.”
He stressed that the festival was more than an entertainment gathering, describing it as a moral and cultural moment of reflection on identity, resilience and shared destiny.
According to him, true celebration should not be measured by the beauty of costumes or dances alone, but by tangible progress in the lives of the people.
He urged stronger collaboration among traditional institutions, government and the private sector, saying every part of Aworiland deserved peace, education, infrastructure and economic opportunities.
Agbabiaka also placed strong emphasis on intergenerational responsibility, advising youths to embrace innovation and leadership, calling on elders to continue offering guidance and praising women as the backbone of homes and communities.
He challenged Awori sons and daughters, wherever they lived, to act as ambassadors of peace, unity and development.
In his keynote address titled: “Awori Traditional Values and Culture: Veritable Exportable Tourism Products,” the National President of AWAN, Asiwaju Muhammed Olagbaye, described culture as a powerful tool for unity and economic growth.
Quoting French philosopher Albert Camus, he said society without culture “is but a jungle.”
Olagbaye said Awori cultural heritage had the potential to become a major tourism export, capable of attracting foreign exchange and boosting local economies in Lagos and Ogun states.
He noted that cultural troupes from over 200 Awori communities participated in the event, showcasing the depth of the people’s traditions.
He highlighted the global cultural projection of Awori heritage by Prof. Jelili Atiku, a laureate and cultural ambassador, who has taken Yoruba and Awori culture to international platforms.
He revealed plans to take the Gelede cultural performance on international tours under the theme: “The Eyes That Have Seen Gelede: Stories of Aworiland’s Heritage.”
According to him, ‘’Gelede is a sacred Awori practice that honours the power of women, fertility and social harmony, while reinforcing the spiritual and communal bonds of the people.
He said the proposed global seminar on Gelede would bring together scholars and cultural devotees to deepen understanding of Awori identity through oral traditions, folklore and performance.
Olagbaye also drew attention to the popularity of Egungun festivals in Ota and other Awori communities, describing them as growing attractions for domestic and international tourists.
He highlighted the annual Ejiwa Festival in the riverine communities of Lagos, known for its elegant white costumes, stylised dances and strong appeal to visitors.
Beyond culture, Olagbaye says sport is also a tool of unity, citing the successful debut of the Awori Unity Cup football competition earlier in the year, which featured 32 clubs from across Aworiland and was hosted at the Lagos State University Sports Centre, Ojo.
He said the competition had created a platform for discovering future football stars.
Olagbaye hailed the support of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, as well as several local government chairmen and traditional rulers, for their contributions to the success of the festival.
Deputy Chairman, Ogun State House Committee on Alternative Education, Olatunji Akinosi, described the festival as a reaffirmation of Awori identity and a testament to what a united people could achieve.
“This is more than a celebration. It is a reaffirmation of our collective identity and cultural pride. I commend AWAN for its steadfast commitment to preserving our traditions and projecting Awori name with dignity,” he said.
The Oba of Ado and Olofin Admiral Oodua of Aworiland, Oba Olusola Adebowale, said the festival was a sacred reminder of the resilience and wisdom of Awori ancestors.
He called for greater collaboration between monarchs, leaders and youths to promote education, economic empowerment and sustainable development in Lagos and Ogun states.
The festival attracted a large turnout of traditional rulers from both states, including the Olota of Ota, Prof. Abdulkabir Obalanlege; the Olofin of Isheri-Mole, Sulaimon Bamgbade, an engineer; the Olofin of Ado-Odo, Oba Olusola Adebowale; the Onijanikin of Ijanikin, Oba Mohmodu Ashafa; the Onigando of Igando, Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi; the Alakesan of Akesanland, Oba Nojeemdeen Aberejo, among others.
There are 64 Awori Obas in Lagos State and 46 in Ogun State, a reflection of the widespread influence and deep-rooted traditional structure of Awori people.
As the drums faded and the masqueraders retreated, the central message of Awori Day 2025 resonated clearly across the ground: that unity remains the strongest foundation for development, and that culture is not only a heritage to be celebrated, but also a resource to be harnessed for future.
