Oba-Ile Stands Still As Sons, Daughters Celebrate Agbon Festival In Grand Style
The rich cultural values and norms of Oba- Ile, an ancient community in the heart of Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Friday, July 30th came alive as sons and daughters of the community trooped out in celebration of this year’s Agbon Festival.
The celebration which is one of the major festival widely celebrated in the area is an annual event that must be done to celebrate with the monarch, Oloba of Oba-Ile as he offers prayers for the land to commemorate the victory of Agba- Akin over ‘Agbon”.

Speaking on the significance of the celebration, the Oloba of Oba-Ile, His Royal Highness, Oba Joseph Agunbiade (JP), Otutubiosun (III) said he was very happy to witness this year’s celebration saying the celebration which continues late into the night will afford him the opportunity to offer special prayers for all his subjects both home and abroad.

Oba Agunbiade while thanking all those who came to celebrate with him from far and wide, used the opportunity to charge government on the need to provide job opportunities, good road network, uninterrupted power supply and as well for well meaning Oba-Ile sons and daughters to invest in renovation of the palace.

The grand event also featured rich cultural display by the Ayeba’s and the beating of Apapara led by Agba-Akin.
In a chat with newsmen, Oba Agunbiade Adesina, the Olu of Eleyeowo said his community is an integral part of Oba-Ile historically and that he had come to felicitate with the people of Oba- Ile as they celebrate Agbon Festival.

The Olu of Eleyeowo who said the festival is very significant as the celebration affords Oloba of Oba, the opportunity to dance. “The king dances only twice in a year and this is one of such times. Historically, the first born of Oloba of Oba at that time became the Deji the Kabiyesi will have to take Agbon to every of the community it has a prince throughout the land”, he added saying the festival does not in any way involve human sacrifice.
Also speaking, Olori Siliat Agunbiade while congratulating residents of Oba-Ile most especially the sons and daughters of the area said she was very impressed at the turn out of women and was very proud of their involvement just as she prayed for peace to continue to reign in the area.
An ex-officio of the Youth Group, Ojo Ayodele Olumode, popularly known as Kakaki, while also congratulating all Oba-Ile youths on the special celebration, thanked them for comporting themselves saying as the custodian of the community’s culture, they must get involved so that the culture of the area does not fade away.
…Oba- Ile Chiefs Speak On The Significance Of The Festival

High Chief Rufus Oluwatimileyin Gbemisayo – Elemo of Oba-Ile
Agbon Festival is an ancient festival and it is something we usually celebrate every year and that explains why Oba-Ile as a community witnesses so much peace. This celebration is very important to us and for all of us – both home and abroad, it is significant. During this celebration, special prayers are offered for the community.

Chief Mrs. Bosede Abidakun – Iyaloja of Oba-Ile
Agbon Festival is a very special festival celebrated annually in Oba-Ile and as you can see, different groups are well represented here to commemorate the occasion. We have the Chiefs, the Ayeba among others playing their part to make the celebration a great success. Let me use this opportunity to appreciate women most especially for coming out to join in the celebration. They have done exceedingly well. I would also like to use this opportunity to charge women most especially to train up their children well. We must not allow our culture to die. Oba-Ile is our own home and our own paradise, we must do all in our power to preserve our culture by getting out children involved.

Chief Dare Alo – Ejemikin of Oba-Ile
Agbon Festival is a very significant festival to all sons and daughters of Oba-Ile irrespective of where they find themselves. I am based in Baltimore, USA and I have come home to represent the interest of other sons and daughters who could not physically be here but of course, they sent me here. I am most especially happy to be a part of this year’s celebration and I can assure you that those who could not make it here this year would be available by the time we celebrate next year. Let me use this opportunity to congratulate our Kabiyesi and all the chiefs on the success of this year’s celebration.
Chief Yemisi Aladesaye, the Ojaniyi of Oba Ile
We are all very happy to witness this festival and I pray that we will celebrate more of it. Agbon Festival is unique and it is one of the widely celebrated festival in Oba- Ile. It is my prayer that we will all be alive to witness more of it. I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate all sons and daughters of Oba-Ile, I wish them happy celebrations!

The custodian -High Chief Olugbogi Olusola, the Agba – Akin of Oba ile.
Agbon Festival is a very significant celebration to Oba- Ile community. It is unlike any other festival because it is in celebration of an actual event that happened to us as a people during the dark era. In essence, we did not start this celebration just because we felt the need to just do a festival. As the history was handed down to us, Agbon Kepupu was an enemy that was victoriously conquered by Agba- Akin and in commemoration of that victory, we yearly mark the event with Ipagbon Festival.
We have been celebrating this festival from time immemorial and this year’s celebration will not be different. I, as the Agba- Akin will again defeat Agbon and as a community, that is a reassurance of our victory and this gives us much joy.