… Gov. Oyebanji, Senator Bamidele Conferred With Chieftaincy Titles As Kingdom Marks 43rd Anniversary
By Samuel Sunday
Sons and daughters of Efon Kingdom at home and in the diaspora converged on the Efon Alaaye Stadium, Itawure Road, on Saturday, August 23, 2026, for the grand finale of Efon Alaaye Day 2026, themed ‘EFONXTRAORDINAIRE 2026’.
The week-long celebration, which commenced on Thursday, August 20, 2026, is held annually in the last week of August as a thanksgiving to God for His divine protection over the community following the political violence that trailed the 1983 governorship election in the old Ondo State. This year’s edition marked the 43rd anniversary of the celebration.
In his royal address, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare Agunsoye II, the Obalufon Alayemore and Alaaye of Efon Kingdom, welcomed guests and announced the conferment of chieftaincy titles on two distinguished Nigerians.
The monarch named the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as Bashorun Ataiyese of Efon Kingdom, and the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, as Okanlomo Atunluse of Efon Kingdom. He stated that the formal installation ceremony would be held at a later date.
Oba Agunsoye explained that Efon Day began on August 24, 1984, as a thanksgiving service and has evolved into a major cultural and reflective celebration. He commended stakeholders for their contributions to the Palace Renovation Project, which he said has exceeded ₦100 million under the leadership of Chief Patrick Akinboye Ojo.
He emphasized that chieftaincy honours are continuous, noting: “Service is never forgotten; excellence and dedication are always celebrated.”
The President-General of the Efon Alaaye Development League, EDL, Balogun Olumuyiwa Oluwole Aiyegbusi, said Efon is second only to Ijebu-Ode in Yorubaland to institutionalize a period of annual thanksgiving. He recalled that during the 1983 crisis, the community lost only a white goat despite hours of sporadic gunshots.
Aiyegbusi noted that the 2026 edition is the first under his executive, elected on December 27, 2025, and pledged to surpass the achievements of previous administrations.
He urged indigenes to collaborate in advancing the kingdom in governance, education, commerce, and industrialization. He also called on investors to explore opportunities in Efon’s favorable climate, peaceful atmosphere, and scenic mountains for tourism, hospitality, and holiday homes.
He expressed appreciation to Mr. Gbenga Akanni, popularly known as Gentleman of G-Unit Hotels, for single-handedly sponsoring the performance of Fuji maestro, Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere, at the grand finale.
The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and Vice President 1 of EDL, Mr. Wilfred Kolawole Ajumobi, thanked committee members, branch executives, and diaspora members for their sacrifices and donations despite economic challenges.
In his State of the League report, the Secretary-General, Afolabi Ige, Esq., said the EDL rebounded after the festival was moribund for 12 years, from 2012 to 2023. He noted that the celebration was resuscitated in 2023 under Mr. Fagbemiro Thomas and sustained in 2025 under Olajide Olakanmi, Esq., popularly known as PANAF.
Ige announced the inauguration on May 30, 2026, of five standing committees: Finance; Social Services/Special Intervention; Education Development; Efon Inland Security Service; and Economic Development.
He said the Efon Inland Security Service Committee, chaired by Hon. Olamide Oni and a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, remains a priority, and pledged continued support for official security agencies.
He disclosed that the League’s website, http://www.efonalaayeworldwide.com, is now fully functional and urged indigenes to subscribe to branches, noting that 10 families are sufficient to charter a new branch.
The Chairman of Efon Local Government, Hon. Afolabi Segun Ezekiel, commended the prevailing peace and unity within the council, the League, and the traditional institution.
On security, he announced the establishment of a new Vigilante Outfit, with motorcycles and funding donated by the Alaaye and other patriots.
He listed ongoing and completed projects to include: concrete overlay with drainage at Igboegun linking Iloro by the Catholic cemetery; rehabilitation of Erekesan-Ilosi Road; construction of the St. Michael’s Grammar School Road bridge; tarred road with drainage on Bode Fagbemiro Way; farm roads at Olomowewe and Igboaba; line drainage and culvert at Imoba Okesegun; boreholes at Ogbonaro and Imoba; support for electricity and water rerouting; free agricultural inputs; and financial support for the Royal Palace reconstruction.
He said the State Government is encouraging private sector participation in water and power supply, with two investors currently bidding. He urged residents to acquire prepaid meters at the subsidized rate of ₦90,000.
He added that work on Erekesan Market is temporarily suspended but will resume, while the Alaaye Palace reconstruction has reached an advanced stage, courtesy of a take-off grant from Governor Oyebanji.
As part of the celebration, the Planning Committee conferred special honours on distinguished sons and daughters of Efon-Alaaye who have excelled in business, law, community development, and public service:
Industrial Pioneer Award: Chief Amos Bamidele Olowokere, Ologbonla, Founder of Gloria Ventures and Ologbonla Industries, which established the first sawmill in old Ekiti West.
Girl Child Inspiration Icon: Hon. Justice Monisola Oluwatoyin Abodunde, FCIArb, Pioneer President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Ekiti State.
Builder of Future Champions: Mr. Titus Oluwadare Ayodele, CEO, Julius & Julius & Associates LLP and Nigeria Country Coordinator, Professors Without Borders; and Bldr. Dr. Jimoh Ganiyu Olalekan, MD, Gani-Ola Engineering Services Ltd.
Distinguished Community Service Award: Pastor Rufus Oluwafemi Ajayi, retired educationist and President, Rising Stars Club; and Mr. Patrick Olusoji Ekundayo, former President, Efon-Alaaye UK and Europe Association.
Posthumous Distinguished Community Service Awards: Late Pastor Stephen Folorunsho Obisesan, JP, composer of the Efon anthem; and Late Dr. Emmanuel Olufemi Dada, the Basegun of Efon Alaaye, founder of Immanuel Medical Centre, the first private hospital in the town.
This year’s activities featured youth educational and sporting competitions, traditional games, Egungun parade, Jumat service, free medical outreach, Miss Efon Alaaye beauty pageant, and a National Thanksgiving Service organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.
The grand finale featured parades by quarter heads and processions by clubs and associations. The celebration will climax on Sunday, August 24, 2026, with the National Thanksgiving Service.
