Barrister Sulaiman Ajeniyi Ajewole, President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), and Engr. Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem (Mogaji Adanla), CEO of Afia Group, on Saturday, stormed London to witness the 2025 Ibadan Cultural Festival UK, hosted by the Ibadan Think Tank Group.
Other dignitaries at the colourful event were Dr. Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO, Agidigbo FM; Ambassador Kazeem Olaniyan, CEO Omo-Ola Travels & Tours (Chairman of the Day); and Chief (Mrs.) Yinka Adeniran, Deputy Mayoress of Portsmouth (Mother of the Day), among others.
The event, held at Jo Richardson Community School Hall, Castle Green, Dagenham RM9 4UN, London, United Kingdom, was the 4th edition of the cultural festival.
Aiming to celebrate Ibadan’s rich heritage and Yoruba culture, the Ibadan Cultural Festival UK is an initiative of the Ibadan Think Tank Group, a social and cultural association comprising three reputable clubs: Ibadanland Development Association, Oluyole Diamond Sisters, and Oluyole Progressive Union, all affiliated with the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
The 3-day event was marked with different activities, including an exceptional Jumuah service, a church thanksgiving service, and a reception/awards programme.
Part of the highlights of the iconic event also included cultural displays, music, networking, a constituents’ clubs parade, and the serving of the popular Ibadan indigenous delicacies, Amala and Gbegiri/Ewedu.
The festival, according to Alhaji Akeem Akinborode, the Financial Secretary of the Ibadan Think Tank Group and President of the Oluyole Progressive Union UK, is structured not only to celebrate Ibadan’s rich heritage and Yoruba culture but also to honour some individuals who have contributed immensely to the development of Ibadanland.
Akinborode, a financial expert with Eminent Financial Ltd, noted that the festival has also, yearly, provided Ibadan’s sons and daughters living in the UK with an opportunity to have a good time and get to know one another.
Eminent personalities honoured
Some of the eminent personalities honoured at this year’s edition of the festival as the most distinguished Ibadan Indigenes included HRM Oba Kola Daisi, the Asipa Olubadan of Ibadanland; Chief Kola Kareem, the Agbaoye of Ibadanland, and Chief Adewale Abass Kadri, the Jagun Balogun of Ibadanland.
Additionally, the duo of Alhaji AbdulRafiu Ola Olajide and Alhaji Rasheed Oladimeji Oloruntola both received the Most Outstanding Friends of Ibadan award.
While Princess Loveth Oluwatosin Emmanuel was awarded as the most patriotic Ibadan indigene.
Speaking at the event, Adanla, while commending the efforts of the organisers, admonished all to prioritise the preservation of Yoruba culture by passing down knowledge to the next generation through language, traditions, and cultural practices.
