By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews
Sons and daughters of Efon Kingdom at home and in the diaspora on Saturday converged on the Efon Alaaye Stadium, Itawure Road, for the grand finale of the 2026 Efon Alaaye Day celebration, with the traditional ruler announcing the adoption of Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, as chiefs of the kingdom.
The week-long celebration, themed “EFONXTRAORDINAIRE 2026”, began on Thursday, August 20, and is held annually in the last week of August as an expression of thanksgiving to God for His protection over the community following the political violence that accompanied the 1983 governorship election in the old Ondo State. This year’s celebration marks the 43rd anniversary of the tradition.
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 that Governor Oyebanji had been adopted as Bashorun Ataiyese of Efon Kingdom, while Senator Bamidele was adopted as Okanlomo Atunluse of Efon Kingdom.
The monarch said the titles would be formally conferred on the two distinguished Nigerians at a later date.
Oba Agunsoye explained that Efon Day began on August 24, 1984, as a thanksgiving service and had since evolved into an annual celebration of the community’s culture, unity and achievements.
He commended individuals and organisations that had contributed to the renovation of the royal palace, disclosing that the project had attracted more than N100 million under the leadership of Chief Patrick Akinboye Ojo.
The monarch stressed that recognition through honours and chieftaincy titles was a continuing tradition in the kingdom, noting that service, excellence and dedication to the community would always be remembered and celebrated.
Earlier, the President-General of the Efon Alaaye Development League (EDL), Balogun Olumuyiwa Oluwole Aiyegbusi, said Efon was second only to Ijebu-Ode in Yorubaland in setting aside a dedicated period for thanksgiving.
He recalled that following hours of sporadic police gunshots during the political crisis of August 1983, the community emerged relatively unscathed, with only a white goat lost in the incident.
Aiyegbusi said the 2026 celebration was the first Efon Day organised under his executive, which was elected on December 27, 2025, adding that the leadership was determined to build on the achievements of previous administrations.
He urged indigenes of Efon at home and abroad to unite in developing the kingdom, particularly in good governance, education, commerce and industrialisation.
The EDL president-general also called on investors to explore the investment opportunities available in Efon, citing its favourable climate, peaceful environment and mountainous landscape as suitable for tourism, hotels and holiday homes.
He expressed appreciation to an Efon patriot, Mr Gbenga Akanni, popularly known as the Gentleman of G-Unit Hotels, for single-handedly sponsoring the appearance of Fuji musician, Abass Akande Obesere, who thrilled the audience at the grand finale.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and Vice President 1 of the League, Mr Wilfred Kolawole Ajumobi, thanked members of the committee, branch executives and members of the Efon community in the diaspora for their sacrifices, contributions and donations towards the successful celebration despite prevailing economic challenges.
The programme featured several activities, including youth educational and sporting events, traditional games, Egungun parade, Jumat service, free medical outreach, Miss Efon Alaaye beauty pageant and a National Thanksgiving Service organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The grand finale also featured colourful parades by quarter heads and processions by various clubs and associations.
Presenting the State of the League report, the Secretary-General of the EDL, Afolabi Ige, Esq., said the annual celebration had been successfully revived after becoming inactive for 12 years between 2012 and 2023.
According to him, Efon Day was resuscitated in 2023 under the leadership of Mr Fagbemiro Thomas and sustained in 2025 under Olajide Olakanmi, Esq., popularly known as PANAF.
Ige disclosed that five standing committees were inaugurated on May 30, 2026, to strengthen the League’s activities and development programmes. They are the Finance Committee, Social Services/Special Intervention Committee, Education Development Committee, Efon Inland Security Service Committee and Economic Development Committee.
He identified security as a major priority, saying the Efon Inland Security Service Committee, chaired by Hon. Olamide Oni, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, would continue to work with and support official security agencies.
The Secretary-General also announced that the League’s website, www.efonalaayeworldwide.com, was now fully functional, urging indigenes to subscribe to the League’s branches. He added that as few as 10 families could come together to establish a new branch.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Efon Local Government, Hon. Afolabi Segun Ezekiel, commended the peace and unity prevailing in the local government, the EDL and the traditional institution.
On security, Ezekiel disclosed that the council was establishing a new vigilante outfit, with motorcycles and funds already donated by the Alaaye and other patriots.
He also listed several ongoing and completed projects across the community, including the concrete overlay and drainage construction at Igboegun linking Iloro by the Catholic cemetery; rehabilitation of the Erekesan-Ilosi Road; construction of the bridge on St. Michael’s Grammar School Road; and construction of a tarred road with drainage along Bode Fagbemiro Way.
Other projects, according to him, include farm roads at Olomowewe and Igboaba, line drainage and culvert at Imoba Okesegun, boreholes at Ogbonaro and Imoba, support for electricity and water rerouting, distribution of free agricultural inputs and financial support for the reconstruction of the royal palace.
The council chairman said the State Government was encouraging private-sector participation in water and power supply, adding that two investors were currently bidding for opportunities in the sector.
He urged residents to take advantage of the subsidised prepaid meter programme, with meters available at N90,000.
Ezekiel further disclosed that work on Erekesan Market had been temporarily suspended but would resume, while reconstruction of the Alaaye Palace had reached an advanced stage following a take-off grant provided by Governor Oyebanji.
As part of the celebration, the Central Planning Committee honoured distinguished sons and daughters of Efon who had made notable contributions to business, law, community development and public service.
Among the award recipients was Chief Amos Bamidele Olowokere, popularly known as Ologbonla, founder of Gloria Ventures and Ologbonla Industries, who received the Industrial Pioneer Award for establishing the first sawmill in old Ekiti West.
Hon. Justice Monisola Oluwatoyin Abodunde, FCIArb, pioneer President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Ekiti State, received the Girl Child Inspiration Icon Award.
The Builder of Future Champions Award went to Mr Titus Oluwadare Ayodele, Chief Executive Officer of Julius and Julius and Associates LLP and Nigeria Country Coordinator for Professors Without Borders, as well as Bldr. (Dr.) Jimoh Ganiyu Olalekan, Managing Director of Gani-Ola Engineering Services Limited.
The Distinguished Community Service Award was presented to Pastor Rufus Oluwafemi Ajayi, a retired educationist and President of the Rising Stars Club, and Mr Patrick Olusoji Ekundayo, former President of the Efon-Alaaye United Kingdom and Europe Association.
Posthumous Distinguished Community Service Awards were also presented to the late Pastor Stephen Folorunsho Obisesan (JP), composer of the Efon anthem, and the late Dr Emmanuel Olufemi Dada, the Basegun of Efon Alaaye and founder of Immanuel Medical Centre, the first private hospital in the town.
The 2026 Efon Alaaye Day celebration will climax on Sunday with the National Thanksgiving Service.
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