The journey through Iseyin Oro festival: A celebration of culture, unity and community-Dare Adesope

Globalquestmagazine

The journey through Iseyin Oro festival: A celebration of culture, unity and community-Dare Adesope

My journey through the Oro Ebedi 2026 Festival in Iseyin was not merely a participation in an age-long cultural celebration; it was an opportunity to connect with traditional rulers, community leaders, cultural custodians and stakeholders on issues that are central to the peace, security and development of Iseyinland.

My first port of call was the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola,Adeyeri lll, the Aseyin of Iseyin, where I paid a formal courtesy visit. The palace courtyard was vibrant with the presence of high chiefs, royal drummers, community leaders and other dignitaries.

In the presence of Kabiyesi, I extended my warm felicitations on the successful commencement of the Oro Ebedi 2026 celebrations, while also acknowledging the significance of the festival as an important part of Iseyin's cultural heritage.

Our discussion, however, went beyond the festival. We engaged in a fruitful conversation on the growth, peace and wellbeing of Iseyinland, particularly the need to strengthen local security arrangements.

We explored ways of improving collaboration among traditional vigilante groups, local hunters and statutory security agencies, with the objective of creating a safer environment for residents, visitors and participants during cultural events and beyond.

We also discussed the enormous potential of Oro Ebedi as a cultural tourism attraction. We considered the importance of better event packaging, stronger media visibility, improved infrastructure and wider promotion to attract visitors from across Nigeria and the diaspora, while preserving the sacredness and authenticity of the festival.

From the palace, I proceeded to pay homage to Chief Aaba, the Chief Priest of Oro, whose spiritual leadership remains significant to the preservation of the tradition. Our interaction centred on the cultural sanctity of the Oro rites, the responsibility of custodians to protect the heritage, and the need to pass traditional values to the younger generation.

The journey of respect and consultation continued with visits to Baale Osuru Alamo and Baale Omojoda, alongside other eminent community leaders and stakeholders.

I also paid a courtesy visit to the Agbaakin, who graciously accompanied me to the Area Commander’s office, where we further engaged with the security authorities on matters relating to peace, security and the successful celebration of the festival.

Across these engagements, one message remained clear: Iseyinland desires unity, peace, mutual respect and sustainable development.

Participating in Oro Ebedi 2026 was therefore much more than witnessing or celebrating an ancient festival. It was a powerful reminder that our cultural heritage can serve as a bridge for unity and community development when traditional institutions, community leaders, security stakeholders and the people come together with a shared vision.

The experience reinforced my conviction that preserving our heritage, promoting peace and advancing community development must go hand in hand.

As we celebrate our culture, we must also continue to build the bridges that unite us, protect our communities and create a better future for generations yet unborn.