Long before the vibrant drums rolled and the captivating dancers took the stage, something profound began to unfold in Ogbomoso—a heartfelt return.
The town’s roads buzzed with activity, long-closed homes flung open their doors, hotels brimmed with guests, and familiar faces emerged as sons and daughters of this historic community travelled homeward for the highly anticipated second edition of the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival 2025.
For five exhilarating days, Ogbomoso transformed into more than just a host city; it became a vibrant tapestry woven from memory, identity, and opportunity.
Over 100 indigenous socio-cultural associations from across Nigeria and its diaspora converged at the Soun Ogunlola Township Stadium, adorned in stunning traditional attire, to pay their respects to the esteemed Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III.
The parades were not mere spectacles—they were powerful affirmations of belonging, echoing with celebration and pride.
The carnival kicked off Thursday, December 19, enveloped in rich cultural rites, tantalizing exhibitions of local cuisine, mesmerizing masquerades, and the infectious energy of traditional drumming.
Spiritual reflections led by the esteemed Araba of Osogbo, Chief Yemi Elebuibon, infused the occasion with a contemplative spirit. He extolled the revival of Yoruba cultural consciousness and lauded the monarch’s pivotal role in rejuvenating pride in indigenous heritage.
Among the most poignant moments of reconnection was the remarkable sports segment. Adebayo Majolagbe, a United States-based indigene, returned to spearhead a thrilling 170-kilometre Grand Fondo cycling tour spanning from Ogbomoso to Iseyin and back, guiding over 100 cyclists through landscapes that now gleamed with the promise of tourism.
The Ogbomoso Marathon, held on Saturday, further amplified themes of endurance, unity, and shared purpose.
Throughout the city, the carnival revitalized everyday life. Markets thrummed with energy, hotels reported full occupancy, 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 Saka Balogun as Balogun of Ogbomosoland and Adesola Adepoju as Asiwaju of Ogbomosoland—drew dignitaries and returnees to the majestic palace, bridging governance, tradition, and community.
The emotional zenith arrived on Ajilete Day, as Ogbomoso erupted in a fervor of dance, music, and performance, showcasing the Oyo State Cultural Troupe alongside contemporary entertainers. 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 Professor 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.
In a compelling address during the grand finale held on Monday at the township stadium, Oba Ghandi delved into the philosophy behind the name “Cradles.”
He articulated 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 portrayed 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.”
Oba Ghandi 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 called upon the 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.
Echoing the monarch’s visionary outlook, Chairman of the 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 the collective spirit of a thriving community ready to embrace its future.
Speaking on the second edition and a take home for all and sundry, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, 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.
Sharing her assessment of the carnival, the Iyalode of Ogbomoso explained “Well, we need to appreciate 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 rallying for home comers to engage and unite through the one-week-long Carnival.
