Monarch commends Aiyedatiwa, security agencies, traditional institutions, communities and sponsors; says new festival can drive tourism, unity and economic growth By Jimoh Ahmed The Olowo of Owo, His Imperial Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, has commended the people of Owo and other stakeholders for the successful conclusion of the 2026 Igogo Festival…
By Chief Kasali D. Obanoyen (KDO) The ancient city of Owo witnessed a magnificent celebration of its rich cultural heritage as Magbuligbe Worldwide, under the leadership of Dr. Akintoye, made an impressive appearance at Ogwalopo 2026, transforming the expansive grounds of the historic Olowo’s Palace into a breathtaking spectacle of royalty, traditional elegance and communal…
After years in suspension, Ogwalopo returns in grand style as Owo’s traditional institutions, communities and Ondo Government unite to revive a historic cultural tradition. By Jimoh Ahmed There are moments when a people do not merely celebrate their history—they step back into it. Saturday, September 26, 2026, was one such moment in Owo….
By Jimoh Ahmed The Pivot Online OWO — The sound of the Olushorope drums reverberated through the ancient heart of Owo on Thursday as the 2026 Igogo Festival came to a majestic close, signalling the lifting of a centuries-old restriction and bringing 17 days of sacred royal observances to an end. At the historic…
Diana Afolabi, Marvelous Adebayo emerge runners-up; sponsor Alex Ajipe promises bigger prize money, wider participation in 2027 By Jimoh Ahmed, Editor-in-Chief OWO, ONDO STATE — Miss Oluwakemi Olugbode has emerged the winner of the 2026 Udan Oronsen Beauty Pageant, taking the coveted crown at the grand finale held on Sunday, September 20, at the…
As traditional rites, royal ceremonies, youth activities and cultural tourism converge, Owo’s centuries-old festival continues to evolve without losing its identity By Jimoh Ahmed, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief The Pivot Online OWO, ONDO STATE — The ancient city of Owo is once again wearing its cultural colours as the 2026 edition of the historic Igogo Festival brings together…
By Jimoh Ahmed The ancient city of Owo came alive on Sunday, August 30, 2026, as the internationally acclaimed Igogo Festival officially commenced with the first Upeli Procession, heralding weeks of traditional ceremonies and cultural activities in the ancient Owo Kingdom. The opening procession, which began at about 4:00 p.m., featured the Ughare Iloro (Iloro…
Special Report By Jimoh Ahmed For centuries, the Hazabe people of northern Tanzania—one of Africa’s last surviving hunter-gatherer tribes—lived quietly on the fringes of modern civilisation. With a population of just about 1,500, they were better known to anthropologists, conservationists and a handful of adventurous travellers than the rest of the world. But in…
By Jimoh Ahmed Every September, the ancient town of Owo in Ondo State bursts into life with a spectacle unlike any other in Yorubaland — the Igogo Festival, a celebration rooted in love, tradition, and cultural heritage. With over 600 years of history, Igogo is not just a festival; it is a living narrative of…
The Ondo State Government will, for the first time, officially co-host the annual Igogo Festival with the Owo Kingdom, in what many describe as a landmark move for cultural promotion in the state. The announcement was made on Friday when the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Afolabi Adesoji, led a delegation to the palace…
