The 2026 Udiroko Festival concluded on a peaceful note on Sunday as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe led indigenes in a thanksgiving service to appreciate God for a hitch-free celebration.
The monarch, who spoke at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Ado-Ekiti, said the annual festival recorded no incident and thanked sons and daughters of Ado Kingdom for their unity and support.
Oba Adejugbe appreciated sons and daughters of the kingdom for their love and commitment throughout the celebration, and prayed for continued blessings, protection and prosperity for them.
“I give glory to God for the successful end of this year’s festival, 2026. There was peace throughout, from the beginning to the end,” the monarch said.
“I also thank Ado-Ekiti sons and daughters for their love and support. I pray that God will continue to bless them, replenish their purses, and guard them until we celebrate again next year, 2027, by God’s grace.”
The service was attended by members of the Ewi-in-Council, religious leaders, indigenes and political stakeholders who joined the monarch to celebrate the successful conclusion of the annual festival.
Call for Godly Leadership Ahead of 2027
In his sermon, the Dean of the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Venerable Dr. Simeon Olaoluwa Olajobi, urged Christians to remain thankful to God in all circumstances and to embrace Jesus Christ as the source of true liberation.
Speaking with journalists after the service, he called on Nigerians, especially politicians, to allow the fear of God to guide their conduct ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Olajobi urged political actors to shun electoral malpractice, fraud and excessive ambition, and to put the interest of the nation above personal gain.
“The solution to Nigeria’s challenges will come from God, not from abroad. We have the human and intellectual resources to overcome our difficulties. We should look unto God,” he said.
2026 Udiroko Described as ‘Exceptional’
The Chairman of the 2026 Udiroko Festival Planning Committee, *Prof. Sunday Akindele described this year’s edition as exceptional and an improvement on previous ones.
He said the festival provided a platform to project the history and cultural heritage of the Ado Kingdom to the world, and commended the media and other stakeholders for their contributions.
Akindele praised Oba Adejugbe’s leadership, describing him as a divinely enthroned king whose reign has elevated the Udiroko Festival beyond local boundaries. He also called for sustained support for the traditional institution.
The thanksgiving service formally marked the end of the 2026 Udiroko Festival, one of the major annual cultural celebrations in the Ado-Ekiti Kingdom.
