ABEOKUTA— The organizing committee for the 39th Lisabi Festival has rolled out activities marking the celebration of the 2026 festival.
Themed “Integrating Apprenticeship Training Into Education: Opportunities And Challenges”, the festival which is in honour of the legendary Egba hero, Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, is to equally recognize his bravery, leadership, and sacrifice in defending the independence and dignity of the Egba people.
Addressing the newsmen on Monday at the press conference held at Alake Palace to kickstart the 13 days event, the chairman of organizing committee, Chief Rasheed Raji noted that, Tuesday 17th of March, 2026 is for the final secondary school Quiz and debate competition at Centenary Hall, while Wednesday 18th of March to Friday 20th of March , 2026 is for Exhibition at the Amphitheater, Ake Palace, and Saturday 21st of March, 2026 is for Chieftaincy Installation.
Sunday 22nd of March, 2026 is for Ipate Agbongboakala (Lisabi Trade Fair) at Amphitheater, Ake Palace, while Monday 23rd of March, 2026 is for booming of Guns at Olumo Rock; Public mobilization by women and youths at Ake Palace; Traditional Ayo Game at Adire Hall; Community Football competition (Semi final) at Muda Lawal stadium, Asero; and final wrestling competition at Centenary Hall.
Tuesday 24th of March, 2026 is for continuation of Ipate Agbongboakala (Lisabi Trade Fair) at Amphitheater, Ake; Exhibition of Arts and Crafts at Ake Palace; Exhibition of Egba indigenous Arts and Crafts at Amphitheater, Ake; Charity initiative (Donation of Beds and Beddings) at Oba Gbadebo Memorial hospital, Isale Ijeun.
Wednesday 25th of March, 2026 is for the continuation of Ipate Agbongboakala (Lisabi Trade Fair) at Amphitheater, Ake; Exhibition of Arts and Crafts; Free Eye test by Egba descendants community Association at Palace Royal clinic, Ake; Seminar on Integrating Apprenticeship Training Into Education: Opportunities And Challenges at Adire Hall; Lisabi community football competition (3rd place and final matches) and distribution of medals and trophies at MKO Abiola sports complex, Kuto.
Thursday 26th of March, 2026 is for continuation of Ipate Agbongboakala (Lisabi Trade Fair) at Amphitheater, Ake; Procession to Igbo Lisabi by Obas, Chiefs, Baales, Eminent personalities, youths and others; Medical Outreach at Adire Hall; while Friday 27th of March, 2026 is for Visit to Olumo Rock with stop-over at Itoku Cenotaph; Jumuat Service at Egba central Mosque, Kobiti; Dinner/Award at Adire Hall; Unveiling of the Lisabi-Alaje-Egbaliganza Drum and recognition of diplomats.
The grand finale would hold at Amphitheater, Ake Palace on Saturday 28th of March, 2026 and Sunday 29th of March, 2026 is for the Thanksgiving service at the cathedral of St.Peter, Ake, Abeokuta.
The committee chairman however, assured of maximum security for the safety of the guests and all participants of the festival through out the celebration.
Speaking, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo stated that “Let it be sounded and richly re-echoed from the four corners of the universe that our season of genuine in-depth celebration has berthed with its pomp, pageantry and above all, its rich stock of transfomatory agents which has constantly ignited and kept aglow, the remarkable achievements of Egbaland till date and the ever forward looking, resilient, hardworking progressive heroic spirit in every true EGBA Sons and Daughters”.
“It is no gainsaying that we are richly endowed with an enviable heritage which we have kept very dear to our hearts with every generation from Inception till date, adding qualitative inputs to make it globally attractive, stronger, formidable, acceptable and effectively contributing immensely to the building of Egbaland.
“This year, in tune with the progressive, nation building and emancipatory spirit of our Forebears especially Lisabi Agbongboakala”, he added.
