_As youths set for Horses, Bikers, Skaters Angere, Boys brigade, Kegites and Imole Choir Ensemble, others_
The planning committee for the 2025 Adire Osun Canival has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to declare public holiday for Adire Day.
This is as the committee holds a Press Conference to unveils the activities of this year’s festival schedule for one week.
While speaking at the conference, the Chairman of.the committee who is the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye ìn Monday in Osogbo, said the festival will attract economic boost, youth engagement, culture preservation and encourage entrepreneurship.
According to him, “Adire Osun Festival is expected to be an annual celebration and a testament to Osun State’s rich cultural heritage and its people.
The festival will showcase the unique Adire textile, a symbol of Osun history and creativity. As Chief Creative Officer, Mr. Governor emphasizes the importance of documenting and supporting creativity in Osun State.
“The state government looks forward to achieving the following through
•Economic Boost (The festival will attract tourists, create jobs and stimulate the local economy);
•Youth engagement (the festival will encourage young people to participate in cultural activities, promoting productivity and creativity);
•Cultural Preservation (The festival will showcase Adire textile and Osun’s rich heritage); and
•Entrepreneurship Opportunities (Adire Osun Festival will serve as a Launching pad for local artisans, designers and entrepreneurs across the world).
“Adire Osun Festival 2025 will feature street show of various Colourful Adire Fabrics, with a view to promoting Osun’s rich culture and traditions as well as reclaim Osun and Osogbo’s historical place as the source of Aro and Adire.
“We are excited to transform Osun State into an entertainment hub of creativity and culture.
“We look forward to your partnership and support.”
In his remark, the Senior Special Assistant to governor Adeleke, Hon Tunde Laface re-echo the key features of the festival, requesting that the stage government should declare a public holiday to mark Adire Day in Osun.
According to him; “To date while still in the evolution stage ADOF has already empowered over 1000 Adire Producers, Fashion Designers, Craftsmen, Accessory makers etc.
“The Adire Osun Festival Export Summit, which comes on the 19th of Dec @ Oasis Event Centre will showcase the Trade and Export Business and the Adire Fashion elements of Adire Osun.
The Main Event the Adire Osun Carnival is scheduled for Saturday, the 20th of Dec 2025.
“This Yorucentric Street Carnival will start @ 10am from Olaiya junction to Old Garage on to the popular Ajegunle, enroute Igbona, Ayetoro then to Stadium roundabout heading back the same way to Old garage then on to the new IMOLE DEE flyover @ Okefia were we turn back to Freedom park, the Heart of Osogbo Metropolis.
At Freedom park the Carnival Ensemble and Celebration of Adire Osun will continue.
The Carnival will draw to a close by 9pm and dovetail into an all Nite Concert featuring top Nigerian artists Osun based Artists, Djs Comedisns Hypemen, Dancers amongst many others.
The Carnival Street Parade will at every major junction along the dedicated route feature a Live Band /Dj/Mc plus Hypemen.
The Carnival main stage will be at Old Garage a Live Band will be on hand to serve His Excellency and other VIP Guests.
Ajegunle will have a Live Band stand manned by one of their own Ayetoro junction stadium roundabt Igbona and Imole flyover areas will also feature Djs hypemen, Mcs and Live Bands.
We will have adjudication and water points along the dedicated route and canopies will line the streets.
The Yorucentric Carnival train is focused on celebrating our major Youruba Icons
The Iconic floats will culturally feature and celebrate Osogbo with Arugba, Ile-Ife with Oriolokun Edeland with Sango and Ilesa with Ogedengbe the great warrior.
His Excellency, the Governor, the ADOF Project Visioner and Chief Host as well as Chief Mrs Okundaye (Mama Nike) ADOF Queen and Global Ambassador will also be iconised with major Floatilas on the parade.
These Creative Iconic structures clad in our rich and symbolic Adire Osun fabrics will parade different Carnival Costumes and Accessories symbolising each Yourucentric Iconic depiction.
The Symbolic Idea is to Creatively differentiate ADOF from any other Festival across the world thus leveraging on our uniqueness as we attract domestic and international Tourists to Osun State.
We have also creatively introduced other Youth engaging elements to the parade, i.e. Horses, Bikers, Skaters Angere, Boys brigade, Kegites and Imole Choir Ensemble, Culltural Troupes, Drummers all costumed in beautiful Adire Osun to add major excitement to the Street Carnival.
Kindly note that the street Carnival is strategically designed to last for 8 hours starting from 10am in the morning.
Gentlemen of the press, we will align with relative agencies of Government to provide adequate Security, Traffic Control, Emergency medical services etc. throughout the duration of the Festival.
Ample notification, enlightenment and publicity will also be given to road users as it relates to diversions to accommodate the carnival route plan.
In conclusion It is imperative to draw major inspiration and believe from Calabar Carnival and Ojude Oba Festivals in Ijebu Ode as well as our own world acclaimed Spiritual Festival Osun Osogbo Festival.
We all know the value properties these Festivals have brought to their respective States for years onend and still ongoing on a yearly basis.
Adire Osun Festival is a major Legacy project that will not only catalyse our IGR as exemplified in Ogun and Cross River State respectively, but will also create empowerment employment and engagement for our teeming Youth population in Osun State.
It is worthy to note that His Excellency has publicly stated that Adire Osun Festival his Vision and Legacy project will be held on a yearly basis with significant improvements every year.
We also use this opportunity to implore His Excellency to please declare Saturday 20th December, 2025 as Adire Day in Osun State.”
