- The Alara of Ilara Kingdom in Epe, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, has announced the complete cancellation of the 2026 Ojude-Oba Alara Festival.
- The decision was made to honour the memory of the Omola of Odomola Kingdom, HRM Oba Adeshina Sulaimon Adebowale, who passed away on May 13, 2026.
- While the massive public cultural festival will no longer hold, citizens are encouraged to celebrate the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir (Ileya) festival peacefully within their homes.
The Alara of Ilara Kingdom in Epe, Lagos State, has formally canceled the 2026 Ojude-Oba Alara Festival.
Eko Hot Blog reports that in an official royal communiqué issued from the palace on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the traditional ruler, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, stated that the annual event, originally scheduled to take place on the second day of the Eid-el-Kabir (Ileya) celebrations, has been entirely set aside.
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The monarch noted that the decision, though difficult given the extensive preparations already put in place by different age grades and community groups, stands as an indispensable mark of traditional respect and cultural solidarity.
The cancellation became necessary following the recent passing of Oba Ogunsanwo’s close contemporary within the Epe Division, the Omola of Odomola Kingdom, HRM Oba Adeshina Sulaimon Adebowale, who joined his ancestors on May 13, 2026.
Following extensive structural consultations with the Alara-in-Council, the palace resolved that proceeding with a massive public carnival would contradict the solemn mood required to mourn a highly respected leader.
The Alara described the late Odomola monarch, Oba Adeshina Sulaimon Adebowale, as an exemplary custodian of Yoruba culture, a true man of peace, and a dedicated brother king whose legacy of humility and community progress would be deeply missed across Lagos State.
The palace has made a passionate appeal to all prominent indigenes, community residents, and international tourists to accept the suspension in good faith.
Acknowledging that many families had already spent significant resources preparing for the cultural showcase, the king encouraged hosts to still receive their traveling guests warmly and enjoy the religious holidays quietly within their respective neighborhoods.
Oba Ogunsanwo stressed that the safety, spiritual reflection, and emotional unity of the larger Epe community must take priority over public fanfare during this period of mourning for Oba Adeshina Sulaimon Adebowale.
Looking forward, the Alara urged the sons and daughters of the kingdom to remain steadfast and deeply committed to the ongoing developmental blueprints being executed across the territory.
He prayed for the continuous peaceful repose of the departed monarch’s soul while wishing the royal family and the citizens of Odomola Kingdom the divine fortitude to weather the great loss.
The monarch assured the public that by the grace of God, the community will gather in much greater joy and grander style for a highly elevated, memorable edition of the festival in 2027.
