Abeokuta—The ancient city of rocks came alive once again as the Egba people from across the globe converged under the watchful presence of Olumo Rock for the 2025 edition of the Lisabi Festival. This year’s celebration, themed Ègbáliganza 2025, blended rich tradition with contemporary flair, honoring the legacy of the revered hero, Lisabi Agbongbo Akala.
Lisabi, a farmer by trade and warrior by fate, is remembered for his quiet but daring resistance against the oppressive rule of Oyo’s Ajeles. He mobilized his fellow farmers, turning agricultural tools into instruments of liberation. Through strategy, discipline, and silent preparation, he led a revolution that broke the chains of external domination and restored Egba dignity. Though his end remains shrouded in myth, his memory lives on—as both legend and symbol of Egba unity.
The 2025 festival opened with cultural performances, ancestral rites, and a procession of Egba indigenes clad in vibrant Ofi, Adire, and Afrocentric attire. The celebration reached its crescendo at the grand finale, which sparkled with a dazzling display of fashion rooted in heritage. From luxurious aso-oke to elaborate gele, guests transformed the event into a moving runway of identity and pride.
Present at the festival was the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, who, adorned in regal attire and coral beads, welcomed dignitaries and guests with royal grace. Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State also graced the occasion, expressing admiration for the enduring unity and cultural resilience of the Egba people.
The event attracted a host of prominent personalities including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who arrived dressed in the symbolic style of Òsóòsi, a gesture of honor toward Lisabi’s warrior spirit. Also in attendance were Ladi Adebutu, the 2023 PDP gubernatorial candidate; celebrated Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD); and business mogul Lai Labode, all of whom posed for photos and mingled among the people.
High chiefs, cultural troupes, and traditional rulers from across Yorùbáland added further splendor to the gathering, reinforcing the spiritual and historical importance of the festival. The songs, dances, and colorful regalia reminded all present that Lisabi’s story is not only one of rebellion—it is one of dignity, leadership, and the unbroken thread of Egba identity.
The Lisabi Festival 2025 was not merely a commemoration of the past—it was a powerful statement of continuity, a celebration of culture that binds generations, and a beacon calling Egba sons and daughters home.
As the sun set over Abeokuta, the spirit of Lisabi—unseen, but deeply felt—stood tall once more, watching over a people forever proud of their roots.
