Faisal Salisu DambattaIt’s no longer news that Ogbomoso hosted the second edition of its Cradles Carnival 2025, attracting indigenes from across Nigeria and the diaspora for a five-day cultural and socio-economic festival in December.
The event, held at the Soun Ogunlola Township Stadium, featured over 100 indigenous socio-cultural associations that paraded in traditional attires to pay homage to the Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III.
Activities began on Thursday, December 19, with cultural rites, exhibitions of local cuisine, masquerades and traditional drumming.
A major highlight of the carnival was the 170-kilometre Grand Fondo cycling tour from Ogbomoso to Iseyin, all in Oyo State, and back, coordinated by a United States–based Ogbomoso’s son, Adebayo Majolagbe, with over 100 cyclists participating. The Ogbomoso Marathon also held during the carnival.
The festival recorded increased economic activities across the town, with hotels fully booked, markets experiencing increased patronage, and transport operators extending operating hours. Food vendors, artisans and entertainers also benefited from the influx of indigenes and visitors.
Traditional games, golf tournaments and youth-focused activities were held alongside royal ceremonies. The Odun Oole Oba festival, which unites the five ruling houses of Ogbomoso, and the installation of new chiefs, including Dr. Saka Balogun as Balogun of Ogbomosoland and Professor Adesola Adepoju as Asiwaju of Ogbomosoland, among others, also took place during the carnival.
Ajilete Day featured street performances, music and cultural displays by the Oyo State Cultural Troupe and contemporary entertainers.
Speaking at the grand finale on Monday, December 22, 2025, Oba Ghandi explained the philosophy behind the festival’s nomenclature, “Cradles”, describing Ogbomoso as a source of art, music, values, bravery, enterprise and creativity.
“This carnival reminds us that we are more than a city. We are a cradle of greatness,” the monarch explained.
“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 a movement for cultural and economic renewal, urging collective responsibility.
“Our forefathers built with less. If they stood tall against challenges, shall we bow to ours?” he asked rhetorically. “Ogbomoso will not rise because we wish it. Ogbomoso will rise because we rise.”
Calling on indigenes at home and in the diaspora to support development efforts, the monarch said unity remained essential.
“When we stand together, we are Ogbomoso, a name that carries honour wherever it is spoken,” he said.
Chairman of the 2025 Ogbomoso Cradles Festival Planning Committee, Hon. Olusegun Dokun Odebunmi, said the festival had already begun driving socio-economic development in Ogbomosoland.
“Without doubt, this festival has brought immense benefits to Ogbomosoland. Our streets, markets, hotels, artisans, transporters and entertainers have all felt the impact,” he said.
He added that the carnival now serves as a platform to attract visitors and investors to Ogbomoso and Oyo State at large, urging investment in agriculture and tourism.
Similarly, the new Asiwaju of Ogbomosoland, Professor Adesola Adepoju, described the carnival as a catalyst for reconnection and renewal, noting unprecedented participation during the second edition.
According to him, the growing scale of the festival calls for expanded facilities and venues, as it has opened new economic opportunities while strengthening unity among Ogbomoso people.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the carnival had grown from a local celebration into an event of national and global relevance.
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, also commended the organisers and reaffirmed the state government’s support for cultural initiatives.
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