UDIROKO 2026: ADO EKITI CELEBRATES CULTURAL RENAISSANCE AS LOCALS HAIL FESTIVAL’S GROWTH
.... "Home is Sweet" - Indigenes Urge Diaspora to Return as Annual Festival Unites Community at Ewi's Palace
By Olugbolade Ogboro-Cole
The ancient city of Ado Ekiti came alive Wednesday as the annual UDiroko Festival unfolded at the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo, drawing massive crowds and emotional testimonies from residents who described the event as a divine gathering that strengthens community bonds.
“It’s a very good proposal with a traditional lifestyle as a result of growth and development,” Arch. Tope Ogunleye declared, capturing the festival’s dual significance as both cultural preservation and community advancement.
Speaking on the festival’s evolution, he added: “This year is even better than that of last year. So I want to advise the other communities around to emulate this better.”
Arch. Tope Ogunleye emphasized that community development requires active participation, stating: “You can’t just sit outside and think that Ekiti state is a miserable place. Everybody goes about their normal job and the government of the state is talking seriously on security of land and everything.”
Hon. Olufemi Aduloju, Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, described the festival as a cherished annual tradition.
“Well, it’s a yearly program, so every year we do enjoy it, and I believe this will be fantastic,” he said with visible excitement.
Explaining the cultural significance, Hon. Aduloju noted: “This is what they call Ojukadun – both young and old will come out to celebrate our cultural year. This is our happy new year in Ado. We celebrate the cultural heritage of Ado through our cabins, we swear majesty.”
Hon. Tade Aluko traced the festival’s origins to ancient times, revealing its historical significance.
“The festival is meant for every adult in the game. It’s a reality festival, a traditional festival that brings everybody together for celebration, for merrymaking, and for felicitating the candidates who have made it,” he explained.
He continued: “It’s a historic festival that tells us a lot about the past – how our forefathers fought a war and they won. But when they were coming back, they continued to sing and that’s why at a particular point they held themselves together under an Iroko tree (Udi- Iroko). That’s how the crowd came to the Udiroko Festival.”
Chief (Mrs) Bimbo Yusuf delivered a heartfelt appeal to Ado Ekiti sons and daughters abroad, urging them to reconnect with their roots.
“My advice for them is that they should be coming home regularly. They should be coming home. Home is sweet. There is no place like home,” she said emotionally.
She added: “We have good sons and daughters abroad. They should be able to come home and celebrate. If they can’t come every month, let’s say every year.”
Describing the festival as an “emotional activity,” Chief (Mrs) Bimbo Yusuf expressed confidence that when diaspora indigene see the celebration showcased around the world, “they will be convinced that they want to be part of the festival.”
Despite the festive atmosphere, respondents praised the state government’s commitment to security, noting that development continues alongside cultural preservation.
The overriding sentiment was one of collective responsibility. “My advice is for people to continue to contribute their own quota towards the development of their community,” participants urged.
As the festival continues to gain global recognition, organisers expressed confidence that more indigene would be inspired to return and participate in what has become a unifying force for Ado Ekiti’s cultural identity.
