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By ‘Deola Adeyemi
The countdown has begun to what promises to be one of the most significant gatherings in the history of Yewaland, as organizers officially unveiled plans for Yewa Festival 2026, scheduled to hold from September 7 to 12. More than a cultural celebration, this year's festival is being positioned as a strategic platform for promoting Yewa's rich heritage, strengthening unity among its people, attracting investment, stimulating tourism, and advancing a bold agenda for regional development.
The announcement was made by Otunba Pharm. Lekan Asunni, Chairman of the Culture and Tourism Board of Yewaland (CATABY), an organ of the Yewa People's Development Council (YPDC), during a Sponsors and Media Parley held yesterday, Thursday 18th June 2026, at Amber Residence, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, Otunba Asunni described the festival as a strategic platform for promoting Yewa's rich cultural identity, tourism assets, economic opportunities, and developmental aspirations. He noted that preparations are already in top gear to deliver an unforgettable edition that will unite sons, daughters, friends, and partners of Yewaland from across Nigeria and the diaspora.
Otunba Asunni therefore called on corporate organizations, development partners, government institutions, and well-meaning individuals to support the festival through sponsorship and active participation, stressing that collective efforts are required to accelerate the growth and prosperity of Yewaland.
A major highlight of the parley was an insightful historical presentation by Professor Emeritus Anthony Ijaola Asiwaju, renowned historian and foremost authority on Yewa history, who took participants on an intellectual journey through the evolution of the Yewa people in a session titled "Irin Ajo Yewa". The presentation offered deep reflections on the origins, struggles, achievements, and future prospects of Yewaland, inspiring renewed commitment to the collective destiny of the people.
Joining the event virtually, His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, called on all sons and daughters of Yewaland, both at home and abroad, to embrace the festival as a collective project and participate actively in the various activities lined up for the week-long celebration.
The revered monarch particularly announced the maiden Yewa Investment Summit, scheduled for September 11, 2026, as one of the flagship events of the festival. According to Kabiyesi, the summit is designed to showcase the vast investment opportunities available across Yewaland in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals, tourism, logistics, education, technology, housing, and infrastructure.
The Paramount Ruler noted that the summit represents a bold and visionary step towards repositioning Yewaland as a preferred destination for investment and enterprise. He expressed confidence that the initiative would attract investors, foster strategic partnerships, stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and accelerate development across the region.
The summit will be chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State, Hon. Abayomi Oluyomi, and is expected to attract government officials, captains of industry, investors, development partners, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria.
Adding a royal touch to the gathering were prominent traditional rulers from across Yewaland, including Oba Benjamin Olanite, the Onimeko of Imeko-Yewa; Oba Olusola Idris Lamidi-Osolo, the Olofin of Ado-Odo-Yewa; Oba Lukman Olalekan Kuoye, the Olu of Imasayi-Yewa; and Oba Ololade Buhari Makinde, the Oniwoye of Iwoye-Yewa.
With culture serving as the foundation and development as the destination, Yewa Festival 2026 is poised to usher in a new era of opportunities for Yewaland. As Yewaland prepares to welcome guests from across Nigeria and beyond, the festival offers a compelling narrative of a people proud of their heritage and united in their pursuit of progress. From tradition to transformation, Yewa Festival 2026 is set to showcase the very best of Yewaland and signal its readiness to take its rightful place as a hub of opportunity and sustainable development.