Preparations are in top gear for the 2025 edition of Okeho Day Celebration, a week-long cultural, educational, and developmental festival scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 23, and climax with a grand finale on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
This year’s celebration, themed “Rooted in Heritage, United for Education: A Grand Reunion for Okeho’s Future,” promises to be one of the most memorable in recent years, as the town gears up to host indigenes and guests from across the world.
In a royal message, the Onjo of Okeho, Oba Dr. Rafiu Osuolale Mustapha, Adeitan II, expressed excitement over the level of preparedness, assuring that the ancient community is ready to receive visitors in grand style.
“We are set to welcome our sons and daughters from all over the world as we mark another historic celebration in Okeho,” the monarch said. “It is a time of joy and pride—an opportunity to celebrate our achievers, inspire our youth, and showcase the uniqueness of our heritage to the world.”
The Chairman of Egbe Omo Ibile Okeho, Dr. Kasali Alarape Salawu, called on all Okeho indigenes at home and abroad to support the event and contribute to the town’s continuous growth. He described the 2025 edition as a vital platform to project Okeho’s cultural and intellectual excellence to a global audience.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Captain Ade Olopoenia, said this year’s celebration will blend tradition, education, and entertainment, with a series of well-curated activities designed to promote unity and development.
The celebration will open with a church service on Sunday, November 23, followed by a Heritage Rally in the evening. Monday, November 24, has been declared Community Sanitation Day, reflecting the community’s commitment to environmental cleanliness.
On Tuesday, November 25, a debate and essay competition themed “The Okeho of My Dreams” will be held for junior secondary school students, followed by a beauty pageant in the evening. The next day, Wednesday, November 26, will feature a visit to Okeho Ahoro in the morning and a stage play titled “The Okeho Exodus” by playwright Olutayo Irantiola at the Town Hall.
An Educational Summit will take place on Thursday, November 27, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing education in Okeho. The same day will also feature the Okeholympics at the FUNATO Temporary Site, where various indoor and outdoor sporting activities will be held.
On Friday, November 28, there will be a medical outreach at the Onjo’s Palace, followed by a Jumaat Service and an award ceremony later in the evening. The grand finale on Saturday, November 29, will focus on fundraising for the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho (FUNATO), marking the climax of the week-long festival.
The Iyalode of Okeho Land, Chief (Mrs.) Haulat Adewumi Lawal, also urged both indigenes and visitors to participate fully, assuring them of a warm and memorable experience of Okeho’s rich hospitality.
This year’s event is expected to attract traditional rulers, political leaders, business executives, and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond.
Okeho has recently gained national recognition following the presidential approval for the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology (FUNATO), whose governing board and principal officers have already been inaugurated. With this development, the town is poised to become a major educational and cultural hub in Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
