Preparations are in full swing for the 2025 edition of the Okeho Day Celebration, a week-long cultural, educational, and developmental fiesta set 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 times.
In his royal message, the Onjo of Okeho, Oba Dr. Rafiu Osuolale Mustapha, Adeiitan II, expressed delight at the level of preparation, assuring that the ancient town is ready to welcome indigenes and guests from across the globe.
> “We are ready to welcome our sons and daughters from all over the world as we mark another historic celebration in our hometown with pomp and pageantry,” the monarch said. “It is always a joyous occasion—an opportunity to celebrate our achievers, inspire our youth, and showcase the beauty of our community to the world.”
The Chairman of Egbe Omo Ibile Okeho, Dr. Kasali Alarape Salawu, urged all Okeho indigenes, both at home and in the diaspora, to support the celebration and contribute to the town’s continuous development. He described this year’s edition as a platform to project Okeho’s cultural and intellectual excellence on the global stage.
Giving insights into the lineup of activities, Captain Ade Olopoenia, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, noted that the 2025 celebration will blend tradition, education, and entertainment.
The event will open with a church service on Sunday, November 23, followed by a Heritage Rally in the evening. Monday, November 24, has been designated as Community Sanitation Day, reflecting Okeho’s commitment to a clean and healthy environment.
On Tuesday, November 25, the town will host a debate and essay competition for junior secondary school students on the topic “The Okeho of My Dreams,” alongside a beauty contest in the afternoon and evening. The next day, Wednesday, November 26, will feature a visit to Okeho Ahoro in the morning and a stage play, “The Okeho Exodus” by playwright Olutayo Irantiola, at the Town Hall.
An Educational Summit on Thursday, November 27 will bring together stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving education in Okeho. The same day will also host the Okeholympics at the FUNATO Temporary Site, featuring various indoor and outdoor sporting events.
Friday, November 28, will feature a medical outreach at the Onjo’s Palace, followed by a Jumaat service and an award ceremony in the evening. The grand finale on Saturday, November 29, will feature fundraising for the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho (FUNATO) at L.A. Primary School, Olele, marking the climax of the celebration.
The Iyalode of Okeho land, Chief (Mrs.) Haulat Adewumi Lawal, encouraged visitors to take part in the festivities, promising an unforgettable experience of Okeho’s famed warmth and hospitality.
This year’s celebration is expected to attract traditional rulers, political figures, business leaders, and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond.
Notably, Okeho has continued to gain national prominence, following the presidential assent earlier this year for the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho (FUNATO). With its governing board and principal officers already inaugurated, the town is poised to emerge as a major educational and cultural hub in Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
