By: Oyedele Sunday.

Ijesaland is gradually becoming an internationally recognized kingdom in Nigeria, with the just-concluded 2025 Iwude Ijesa Festival and Ijesa Unity Carnival that took place in Ilesa, Osun State. His Imperial Majesty Owa Dr. Clement Adesuyi Haastrup Ajimoko 111, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, who has brought his administrative prowess and his worldwide connection to bear, made this year’s 2025 Iwude Ijesa Annual celebration not just a carnival but a celebration of Culture, Tradition, Love, and Unity among the people of Ijesaland.

The occasion that brought who’s who across Nigeria and beyond was adjudged to be an International cultural and traditional event that brings people together in Unity, and it can be a source of revenue generation and add value to the economic development of Osun State and Nigeria at large.

Some of the dignitaries who spoke to journalists during the event were Oba Ibitoye Akinniyi, the Obaala of Ijesaland, Oba Olayinka Dagunduro, Chief Ibitoye Oluwadamilare Adedire (Dare Gold), and some other prominent personalities.

In his own part, Oba Olayinka Dagunduro, the Oba of Yoruba Nasarawa LG in Kano State, who also doubled as the President of IJESA Progressive Union (IPU) Kano Branch, who was at the occasion with his people from Kano State, expressed his joy of being part of such a wonderful event.

He reiterated the fact that IWUDE IJESA Festival brought people together in Unity and said they were very happy to be part of this year’s celebration. “We are happy to be home for IWUDE IJESA FESTIVAL and to be part of Unity Carnival 2025. We thank Owa Dr. Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, for extending the invitation to all and unifying all IJESA people home and abroad together in oneness”. He concluded.

Giving the comprehensive meaning of IWUDE IJESA FESTIVAL, Oba Ibitoye Akinniyi, the Obaala of Ijesaland, said, the annual event allows the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland to come out once a year to visit some important places and some personalities within Ilesa and its environs and end the journey back to the palace. Oba Obaala said this is necessary as tradition demands once a year, and this also brings all the sons and daughters of Ijesaland together in Unity of purpose for the progress and development of Ijesaland.

One of the High Chiefs and son of the soil, Chief Ibitoye Oluwadamilare Adedire a.k.a DARE GOLD, the Akile of the Source, during the media chats at the event, said the 2025 IWUDE IJESA FESTIVAL is one of its kind that has never happened before in the history of Ijesaland. He stressed further that the spirit behind this year’s celebration was very high, and lots of people from far and near attended the celebration in the spirit of oneness. He disclosed that IWUDE IJESA FESTIVAL can never be compared with any other Cultural and Traditional festival in the World.

Dare Gold, the Akile of the Source, praised the efforts of His Imperial Majesty Owa Dr. Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, for bringing all the Sons and Daughters of Ijesaland together in Unity.