The vibrant colours of Ibadan’s heritage took over London at the weekend as the Ibadan Think Tank Group hosted the 4th edition of the Ibadan Cultural Festival UK — a three-day celebration filled with culture, pageantry and nostalgia for sons and daughters of Ibadan living in the diaspora.
Held at the Jo Richardson Community School Hall in Castle Green, Dagenham, the festival brought together prominent figures from Nigeria and the United Kingdom, reaffirming its place as one of the biggest Yoruba cultural gatherings outside Nigeria.
The festival is an initiative of the Ibadan Think Tank Group, comprising three reputable clubs — Ibadanland Development Association, Oluyole Diamond Sisters and Oluyole Progressive Union — all affiliated with the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
Led by Ibadan Tink Tank Group Executive Chairman, Mogaji Abdul Gafar Gbadamosi, this year’s edition delivered everything attendees anticipated: a special Jumuah service, a church thanksgiving, a reception and awards ceremony — all blended with cultural displays, traditional music, club parades, and generous servings of the beloved Ibadan delicacies Amala, Gbegiri and Ewedu.
Alhaji Akeem Akinborode, President of Oluyole Progressive Union UK and Financial Secretary of the Ibadan Think Tank Group, described the festival as a platform created to celebrate Ibadan’s rich history and strengthen cultural bonds among Ibadan indigenes abroad. He noted that the annual gathering has become a hub for networking and unity for the Ibadan community in the UK.
As is tradition, the festival also recognised notable personalities whose contributions have uplifted Ibadanland. HRM Oba Kola Daisi, Asipa Olubadan of Ibadanland; Chief Kola Kareem, Agbaoye of Ibadanland; and Chief Adewale Abass Kadri, Jagun Balogun of Ibadanland, were honoured as the Most Distinguished Ibadan Indigenes.
Alhaji AbdulRafiu Ola Olajide and Alhaji Rasheed Oladimeji Oloruntola received the Outstanding Friends of Ibadan awards, while Princess Loveth Oluwatosin Emmanuel was celebrated as the Most Patriotic Ibadan Indigene.
The event attracted high-profile dignitaries, including Barr. Sulaiman Ajeniyi Ajewole, President-General of CCII; Engr. Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem (Mogaji Adanla), CEO of Afia Group; Ambassador Kazeem Olaniyan, Chairman of the Day; Chief (Mrs.) Yinka Adeniran, Deputy Mayoress of Portsmouth and Dr Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM.
In his remarks, Engr. Karheem (Adanla), one of the initiators of the Think Tank Group, praised the organisers and urged Yoruba indigenes to remain committed to preserving their culture by passing traditions, language and values to the younger generation.
With its blend of heritage, unity and recognition, the Ibadan Cultural Festival UK continues to strengthen the cultural bridge between Ibadan and its diaspora community, leaving attendees already anticipating the next edition.