Ajilala Oso Festival Not Just A Celebration But To Revive Ede Cultural Heritage, Traditions – Prince Laoye

The display of traditional and colorful attires marked with rhythmic drum performances that caught the attention of lovers of Yoruba culture across the world by participants of the Ajilala Oso Festival 2025 has been described as a move to revive Ede cultural heritage and create opportunities for its people.

Blaze Newz recalls that the Ajilala Oso Festival 2025 held on June 8 at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede pavilion, was attended by prominent dignitaries and cultural enthusiasts.

Delivering his welcome speech, Chairman of the Ajilala Oso Festival 2025 Planning Committee, Prince Adewale Laoye, lauded sons and daughters of Ede for their participation in the event.

Prince Laoye noted that this year’s Ajilala Oso Festival is the fifth of its kind organized by the Ede Descendants Union, EDU, saying the previous editions were held in the Timi of Ede’s palace.

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Speaking on the cultural significance
of Ajilala Oso Festival, Prince Laoye said it is a significant cultural event that celebrates Ede’s past and shapes its future.

The festival features traditional occupations of the people of Ede such as Aso Ofi weaving, Adire dyeing, local soap making, and the production of traditional foods like Eko ati Ila, among others.

According to Prince Laoye major objectives of Ajilala Oso Festival is to revive traditional occupations, provide jobs and income for the local population. To achieve this, the festival committee plans to introduce a ready-to-wear Aso Ofi line with matching caps that young people can wear proudly.

He maintained that the festival committee is committed to empowering young people by partnering with organizations to train and support them in traditional occupations. The committee will also collaborate with higher institutions in Ede to build strong programs that combine cultural skills with academic degrees.

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His welcome speech reads in part “Our goal is clear. We want to put Ede on the world map of tourism. Ede has a rich culture, beautiful traditions, and stories that deserve to be seen and heard across the globe.

“Through this festival, we are creating a platform that showcases our heritage and attracts visitors, investors, and partners from all over the world. We are building a strong foundation and a working plan that will guide the organization of this festival for years to come. We want each year to be better, bigger, and more impactful.

“We are proud to announce that we are bringing back Oje Oje Alaso Ofi, the famous 17-day market. This market will be promoted to the world as a unique cultural and commercial experience. It will serve as a center for trade, networking, and cultural exchange.

“Starting from this year, we will use Aso Ofi and Adire as the official Aso Ebi for the festival every year. The material will remain local, but the colours and patterns can change. Families, clubs, and individuals can even choose whether they want to use Aso Ofi or Adire each year.

“This idea will help our local producers, especially our young people. If everyone buys Aso Ofi and Adire for the festival yearly, our youth will have steady customers, and their businesses will grow.

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“Our youths are very important to us. We want them to embrace these traditional occupations. That is why we have started speaking with partners who are ready to support us in training and empowering our young people.

“We are also going to collaborate with all the higher institutions in Ede. We will work with their entrepreneurship departments to build strong programs that will help students learn cultural skills and combine them with their degrees and exposure. This will reduce unemployment and increase productivity in Ede, Osun, and Nigeria.”

He lauded EDU for the vision, consistency, and dedication they have shown over the years on Ajilala Oso Festival and all donors who supported the festival financially.

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Addressing his subjects, the Timi of Edeland, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawala, Laminisa I, lauded organizers of the Ajilala Oso 2025 just as he appreciated sons and daughters of the town for embracing the event.

The highly elated royal father who could not hide his joy by the turnout of the Ajilala Oso 2025 participants said forthcoming editions, each compound of the town will start participating with their unique identity.

Governor of Osun state, Senator Ademola Adeleke, represented by Chairman of Ede South Local Government Area, Hon Lukman Afolabi, appreciated organizers of the event.

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Governor Adeleke said his administration is committed to supporting traditional events like the Ajilala Oso for the promotion of the production of local materials which will attract foreign investors, increase economy of the state and give job opportunities to the youths.