The week-long activities for the 36th
Lisabi Festival ended on a high octane in Abeokuta at the weekend with veteran
music icon, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, dishing out melodious songs to
serenade participants and fun-seekers at the festival’s grand finale ceremony.
Lisabi Festival is the historic festival
and cultural heritage event celebrated yearly by the Egba people of Ogun State
in honour of the legendary Lisabi, a hero of the Egba liberation struggle from
the dominance of the old Oyo Kingdom.
The festival brings together Egba sons
and daughters at home and from across the universe who converged on the ancient
kingdom to honour their progenitor.
Evangelist Obey-Fabiyi, the celebrated
music legend and prominent Egba son, was in his usual best as he dished out
many of his melodious evergreen oldies to which fun-seekers and entertainment
lovers danced to and sang along with him.
The ‘Chief Commander’ as he was popularly
known on the stage, thrilled his audience for hours, leaving them with an unforgettable
memory of a night of superlative excitement.
Commenting,
the Category Manager, Schnapps, IDL, Mr. ‘Tofunmi Opaleye, said “Eagle Aromatic
Schnapps is associated with cultural celebrations. It’s a brand known for its
uniqueness and ubiquitous status as an ‘authentic prayer drink.’ We are excited
at the opportunity that Lisabi Festival provided for the brand to promote
culture, offer prayers, and create some pleasure for Nigerians,” he said.
Aside from the entertainment, Eagle
Aromatic Schnapps sponsored the traditional brain-engaging game, Ayo Olopon,
which prizes were competed for. The first, second and third prize winners of
the male and female categories of the competition were showered with cash
rewards and gifts by the brand.
Eagle Schnapps also participated actively
in the Libation ceremonies at the historic Lisabi Shrine and Olumo Rock where
the authentic prayer drink – Eagle Aromatic Schnapps was used for the Libation
rites which was witnessed by the Aare-Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani
Adams.
Lisabi Festival provides a memorable
spectacle for many Egba sons and daughters from home and across the continent,
as well as well-wishers from far and near to relish the rich cultural heritage
of Egba people. The key activities for this year’s event included traditional
libation at the Lisabi ancestral shrine, booming of gun at the historic Olumo
Rock, Ayo Olopon competition, local wrestling (Ijakadi) contest, unity seminar,
and music performance by various guest artistes among others.
Oba Gbadebo, expressed appreciation to
Intercontinental Distillers Limited for consistently promoting the cultural
heritage of the Yoruba and supporting Lisabi Festival year-on-year. He prayed
with Eagle Aromatic Schnapps for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria and
Egbaland as well as the prosperity of IDL
“I thank IDL for always being a friend of
the Egba people, which you have always demonstrated as a major partner of
Lisabi Day celebration. Your support over the years is very commendable. On
behalf of all Egba sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora, I seek the
blessings of Almighty God and those of our forefathers on you and your brands.
We shall continue to pray for you”, he stated.
The Alake and Paramount Ruler of
Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, was the
chief host of the Lisabi Festival, also had the Governor of Ogun State, Prince
Dapo Abiodun, the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and the Former
Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, also in attendance were the Agura
of Gbagada, Oba Saburi Babajide Bakre;
the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, the Hon. Commissioner For Culture &
Tourism, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, the former Speaker of the Federal House of
Representatives, ‘Dimeji Bankole, Chairman Planning Committee of Lisabi
Festival, the Asipa of Egbaland, Chief AbdulRasheed Raji, the Ogboye of Egba
Christians, Chief Ayinla Oke, Baagbimo Egba, Chief Akanni Akinwale, Baaroyin of
Egbaland, Chief Lai Labode and other retinue of senior chiefs, other chiefs,
and sons and daughters of the ancient kingdom. The festival drew a large crowd
of fun-seekers including residents, local and international tourists and
culture enthusiasts.
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