The Ondo Kingdom is marking 20 years of the reign of its paramount ruler, Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, with a series of medical, cultural, educational and community events. Traditional titles will be conferred on two prominent Americans.
The celebrations, organised by the Ondo Development Committee (ODC), will feature a medical intervention tagged the “Festival of Surgeries”, cultural performances, an inter-school debate competition, a public lecture, an art exhibition, a golf tournament and the commissioning of legacy development projects.
The activities are expected to run until December 24, 2026, ahead of the annual Ekimogun Day Festival on December 26. The anniversary is themed “20 Years of Unprecedented Peace and Development in Ondo Kingdom”.
A major highlight will be the conferment of traditional chieftaincy titles on two Americans: media personality Sway Calloway and music industry executive and cultural advocate Leila Steinberg. Other distinguished personalities will also be honoured.
According to a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Monday, the programme is intended to give indigenes, residents and friends of the kingdom a chance to celebrate its cultural heritage. “The ancient Ondo Kingdom in Ondo State is set to celebrate 20 years of the reign of its paramount ruler, the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, with an elaborate programme of cultural, medical, educational and community development activities,” the statement said.
It added that the activities would “culminate in the annual Ekimogun Day Festival on December 26”, and would give the public an opportunity to “reflect on its development trajectory”.
The statement said the former Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Professor Femi Mimiko, who is the High Chief Lisa-elect of Ondo Kingdom, chairs the committee organising the anniversary.
