High Chief (Prince) AbdulGaniu Ajibola Arowolo, Authentic Baale, leads historic maiden celebration with masquerade performances, traditional music, and ancestral homage
Written By Rashidat O. Okunlade, Lagos
The New Oko-Oba Town in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State witnessed an unprecedented turnout on Saturday, August 22, 2026, as the community celebrated its maiden Isese Day under the leadership of High Chief Prince AbdulGaniu Ajibola Arowolo, the Authentic Baale of New Oko-Oba Town and Olori Ebi of the Olarokun Chieftaincy Family.
The highly anticipated cultural and spiritual celebration received maximum attention from family members, indigenes, residents, and visitors alike, drawing a large crowd that included traditional rulers, chiefs, and high-net-worth personalities from across Lagos State and beyond.
The event commenced with solemn ancestral homage at the Olarokun Chieftaincy family house, where traditional worshippers, adorned in white apparel and traditional regalia, offered prayers to the ancestors. The spiritual atmosphere was electrified as the revered Ajibola Arowolo masquerade, the Ibuowo masquerade, and other masquerade groups performed and danced through the entire town, accompanied by the rhythmic singing of traditional songs by worshippers and enthusiastic residents. The vibrant procession, steeped in centuries-old Yoruba tradition, captivated onlookers and set the tone for the day’s festivities.
The celebration later moved to the town’s field, where the large crowd was treated to an unforgettable musical experience. Agunla Traditional Singer thrilled the gathering with soul-stirring traditional songs that resonated with the cultural essence of the occasion, while Sulaimon Adeyemi Cochito (Owo Aje Oganla1) and his Fuji music band delivered an electrifying performance that kept the celebratory spirit alive and the audience dancing well into the evening.
The event witnessed the gracious presence of esteemed traditional rulers, chiefs, and distinguished personalities, underscoring the unity and camaraderie among traditional institutions in Lagos State. Their attendance lent royal prestige to the occasion and demonstrated the collective commitment to preserving and promoting Yoruba cultural heritage.
High Chief Lukmon Sulaimon Oduntan Enimakure Adekola1 Baale Ikola Odunsi Kingdom Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, Hon. Sakiru Akindele Enimakure APC Candidate for House of Assembly Agege Constituency 02, Baale Odan Itele High Chief Kehinde, Iya Agan of Ota Aworiland, Baada of Itele Land, Oje Parapo in Orile Agege and Ota Aworiland, Baale Agbado Oke-Odo, amongst others.
In his address, High Chief (Prince) AbdulGaniu Ajibola Arowolo expressed profound gratitude to all indigenes, non-indigenes, residents, and well-wishers for their massive support and participation in the historic celebration. The revered Baale emphasized the significance of Isese Day as a cornerstone of Yoruba identity, urging the younger generation to embrace and uphold their ancestral traditions.
The event, which lasted till late evening, stood as a resounding success, a testament to the enduring strength of Yoruba tradition, the resilience of its people, and the collective commitment to preserving a rich cultural heritage for generations to come.
Event Highlights:
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Venue: New Oko-Oba Town, Ojokoro LCDA, Lagos State
Host: High Chief Prince AbdulGaniu Ajibola Arowolo, Authentic Baale of New Oko-Oba Town & Olori Ebi, Olarokun Chieftaincy Family
Masquerade Performances: Ajibola Arowolo Masquerade, Ibuowo Masquerade, and others
Musical Performances by: Agunla Traditional Singer and Sulaimon Adeyemi Cochito (Owo Aje Oganla1) and his Fuji Music Band
The New Oko-Oba Isese Day celebration has firmly established itself as a significant cultural event in Lagos State, promising to become an annual tradition that unites the community in faith, unity, and cultural pride.
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Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
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