UDIROKO 2026: ARCH. TOPE OGUNLEYE TEAM CELEBRATE ADO-EKITI CULTURAL HERITAGE.

UDIROKO 2026: ARCH. TOPE OGUNLEYE TEAM CELEBRATE ADO-EKITI CULTURAL HERITAGE.

An All Progressives Congress chieftain and industrious son of the soil, Arch. Tope Ogunleye (RST), has joined other prominent sons and daughters of Ado-Ekiti to celebrate the 2026 Udiroko Festival.

Arch. Tope Ogunleye, who participated in the celebration alongside his team, added colour and glamour to the event as members of his team appeared in colourful traditional attires and were entertained by the rhythmic beats of traditional drums.

The festival of which the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba (Dr.) Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III is the main celebrator, attracted government officials, including the Omoluabi of Ekiti, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Deputy Governor Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye,  the deputy speaker, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Egbeyemi-Olagbaju, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, among other dignitaries.

Speaking to journalists during the celebration, Ogunleye congratulated the imperial Majesty, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti and the entire people of Ado-Ekiti, describing Udiroko as an important platform for preserving the cultural identity, unity and heritage of Ado Ekiti people.

He said, “I warmly felicitate with our revered father, Oba (Dr.) Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III , and all sons and daughters of Ado-Ekiti on this year’s Udiroko celebration.

“Udiroko is not just a festival; it is a celebration of our history, culture and identity. We must preserve these values and pass them to future generations.”

The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, in his address, described Udiroko as a significant cultural heritage of Ado-Ekiti and stressed the need for its preservation and promotion.

The monarch also commended the people for sustaining the annual festival, saying it had continued to promote unity, cultural values and peaceful coexistence.

Arc. Tope Ogunleye urged the people of Ado-Ekiti to continue supporting the Oyebanji administration and take advantage of its Shared Prosperity Agenda to promote peace and unity in the State.

He called on sons and daughters of Ado Ekiti to contribute their quota to its development, saying the progress of Ado-Ekiti should be a collective responsibility.

“Ado-Ekiti belongs to all of us. We must support government and contribute meaningfully, according to our capacity, to the development of our town,” he added.

Finally, he prayed for the grace to witness year 2027 Udiroko festival and many more . He declared that Oba (Dr.) Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III reign shall be longer than his forefathers.