Afe Babalola Day

OGEDENGBE FIESTA 2026
Public Lecture
A Celebration of Heritage and Legacy

116th Ogedengbe Memorial Peace Festival

Lecture Theme

"Ogedengbe Agbogungboro Legacy: Leadership, Security, and Statecraft for Modern Governance in Nigeria"

This public lecture is held in honour of Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON, Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), and Arole Fabunmi of Okemesi-Ekiti.

Guest Lecturer

Senator (Dr) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON
Leader of the Senate, 10th National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Event Details

Date: Friday, 31 July 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. Prompt
Venue: University of Ilesa Hall, Ilesa, Osun State

Invitation

You are cordially invited to attend this landmark lecture celebrating the enduring legacy of Ogedengbe Agbogungboro and exploring lessons in leadership, security, and governance for contemporary Nigeria.

RSVP: +234 901 841 4248

OGEDENGBE FIESTA 2026 — Preserving Heritage, Promoting Peace, Inspiring Leadership.

CONGRATULATIONS KABIYESI,ARUJALE

Congratulations to His Royal Majesty, Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II, the Arujale-Ojima of Okeluse Kingdom, Ondo State, on the successful conclusion of his final defense at the Department of Political Science, College of Social and Management Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD)

Your remarkable achievement is a true testament to dedication, resilience, and commitment to both traditional leadership and academic excellence. Balancing the sacred responsibilities of the throne with the pursuit of higher education is highly commendable and inspiring to many.

May this success mark the beginning of greater accomplishments and continued wisdom in your service to humanity and the Okeluse Kingdom.

Congratulations once again, Kabiyesi.

—

Big shout out to my newest top fans! Adegunle Olugbamila

PHOTO NEWS: Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON, Founder/Chancellor of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), displays his Ekiti Summit Lifetime Achievement Award plaque for Leadership, Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy.

Standing with him are Dr. Rotimi Opeyeoluwa and Professor Adeyemi Ademowo, Provost, College of Social and Management Sciences (SMS), ABUAD.

Ekiti Summit Congratulates Reuben Fasoranti at 100 as ABBW Announces Hall of Fame Honour

Mr.Femi Alufa, Publisher /CEO of Ekiti Summit News Media Group has congratulated renowned Nigerian nationalist and leader of the Afenifere, Reuben Fasoranti, on the occasion of his 100th birthday celebration.

Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti was born in Uso on May 11, 1926, and is widely celebrated for his lifelong commitment to Yoruba unity, democratic ideals, and national development.

Meanwhile, Afe Babalola Beneficiaries Worldwide (ABBW) has announced plans to honour Pa Fasoranti at the Afe Babalola Hall of Fame in Okemesi-Ekiti.

According to the announcement, ABBW will enshrine a marble portrait of Pa Reuben Fasoranti at the Hall of Fame in recognition of his distinguished leadership as a respected Yoruba elder statesman and to commemorate his glorious 100th birthday anniversary.

The announcement was made by Morakinyo Ogunniyi, speaking on behalf of Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, Bamofin of Yorubaland and Arole Fabunmi Ekitiparapo Jagunmolu Atuluse of Okemesiland.

The honour reflects Pa Fasoranti’s enduring legacy as one of the foremost voices of Yoruba leadership and socio-political advocacy in Nigeria.

Congratulations and happy 100th birthday to Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

NEWS RELEASE

Professor Ademola Azeez to Speak at Ekiti Summit People of the Year Award Ceremony

Ademola Azeez, a distinguished Nigerian academic renowned for his contributions to Political Science, governance, and development studies, will serve as a guest

speaker at the Ekiti Summit People of the Year Award Ceremony.

The event, themed “Celebrating Excellence, Leadership, and Social Impact in Ekiti State,” is scheduled to hold on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Arowolo Gardens, beside TotalEnergies Filling Station, Fajuyi Area, Ado-Ekiti.

Professor Azeez is widely respected for his outstanding academic career spanning Political Science and development studies. He currently serves as a Professor of Political Science at Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), where he specializes in Governance, Democracy, Comparative Politics, and Development Studies.

Over the years, he has held several key academic and administrative positions, earning recognition for his contributions to scholarship and institutional development.

He obtained his B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Political Science from University of Ibadan and is also an alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), United States, class of 2011. In addition, he is affiliated with several professional bodies, including the African Association of Political Science (AAPS).

The Ekiti Summit People of the Year Award Ceremony promises to bring together distinguished personalities, community leaders, professionals, and stakeholders committed to celebrating excellence and transformational leadership in Ekiti State.

Members of the public are cordially invited to attend.

PRESS RELEASE

OGEDENGBE FIESTA 2026 HOLDS JULY 29–31

A 3-day heritage and cultural festival in honour of legendary Yoruba war hero and statesman, Ogedengbe Agbogungboro, will hold from July 29–31, 2026 in Osun and Ekiti States.

Theme:
“Ogedengbe Agbogungboro Legacy: Leadership, Security, and Statecraft for Modern Governance in Nigeria.”

The festival will feature:
Traditional homage at Atorin
Heritage excursion to Kiriji War historical sites in Imesi-Ile

Visits to Ogedengbe Cave, Ibu Latoosa Site & Yoruba Peace Treaty Grove

Visits to Afe Babalola Gardens, Okemesi -Ekiti

Legacy Awards & Hall of Fame Investiture in Ilesa

Distinguished Personality Lecture in honour of Aare Afe Babalola,SAN, OFR, CON
Arole Fabunmi of Okemesi -Ekiti.

The event aims to preserve Yoruba history, promote cultural tourism, and inspire conversations on leadership, peacebuilding, and governance.

Daily Time: 11:00 AM Daily
📞 Contact: FEMI ALUFA Esq +2349018414248

HAPPY EASTER!
"We must take time to appreciate people who make a difference in our lives."

Happy Easter to Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON — Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University.
A father figure, a rare benefactor, a builder of lives, and truly a living ancestor.
May this Easter season bring you renewed strength, divine grace, sound health, peace, and continued wisdom to keep blessing humanity.
Long life and prosperity, Aba Afe.

CHANGE OF DATE
EKITI SUMMIT AWARDS 2025

Dear Sir/Madam,

Please be informed that the new date for the programme is Saturday, 9th May, 2026, and NOT 7th March, 2026 as earlier announced.

The event will take place at 11:00 a.m. prompt at the same venue:

Arowolo Gardens
Beside Total Energies Filling Station,
Fajuyi Area, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

FEMI ALUFA Esq.
Publisher/CEO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PROF.BANJI AKINTOYE @91

By Femi Alufa

Professor Banji Akintoye at 91 represents a rare fusion of scholarship, statesmanship, and cultural guardianship. Widely respected as a historian and intellectual, he has spent decades shaping how Yoruba history and identity are understood, both within Nigeria and globally.

His academic work, marked by clarity and depth, helped elevate African historical studies at a time when indigenous perspectives struggled for recognition. Beyond the classroom and the written page, Akintoye became known for insisting that history is not merely about the past but a compass for collective dignity and political consciousness.

Equally defining has been his public life. In national discourse, he emerged as a voice of conviction, unafraid to engage controversial questions about governance, federalism, and self-determination. Admirers view him as a custodian of cultural memory and political principle, someone who frames advocacy not as agitation but as a continuation of historical responsibility. Even critics acknowledge the consistency and intellectual grounding of his positions, traits increasingly scarce in modern political culture.

At 91, Akintoye’s longevity itself carries symbolic weight. It reflects not only personal resilience but the enduring relevance of ideas forged through study, reflection, and experience. His life illustrates how intellectual leadership can transcend generations, reminding younger Africans that rigorous thought, cultural literacy, and civic courage are mutually reinforcing. In this sense, Professor Akintoye’s legacy is still unfolding - not confined to his years, but extended through the conversations and consciousness he continues to inspire.

Happy birthday dear Daddy, may your strength be firm.

- Femi Alufa is the Publisher of Ekiti Summit News Media Group.


Ojudu Babafemi Babafemi Olugbenga Alufa