The Regent of Ijebuland and Adele Oba, Olor’Ogun Dr. Sonny Folorunso Kuku, says this year’s Agemo Festival has restored cordial relations between the Awujale Palace and the Agemo traditional institution after years of estrangement under the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
The reconciliation marks a significant turning point in one of Ijebuland’s oldest cultural traditions, with the Agemo traditional institution formally returning to the Awujale Palace to pay homage following the conclusion of the annual festival.
The renewed relationship comes after years of strained ties between the Agemo traditional institution and the late Awujale. Although Oba Adetona continued to support and approve the festival throughout his reign, he stopped personally receiving or attending Agemo activities following disagreements between both parties. During that period, while the sacred rites at Imosan continued uninterrupted, the traditional Agemo dance in Ijebu-Ode remained suspended for about seven years.
Speaking with reporters from Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, on Saturday after receiving Agemo representatives at the Awujale Palace, Dr. Kuku described the visit as symbolic of reconciliation, forgiveness and renewed unity within Ijebuland.
According to him, the Agemo Festival, one of the oldest and most revered traditional festivals in Ijebuland, is held annually with the approval of the Awujale, who remains the custodian of the tradition.
He explained that after completing a week-long series of rituals, sacrifices, processions and visits to sacred sites across Ijebuland, the various Agemo groups traditionally return to the palace to pay homage to the Awujale.
“You know the most celebrated festival in Ijebu is the Agemo Festival. That is the traditional customary festival that has been there since eternity.
“They have been out for the last one week and they’ve performed all the rites they need to perform. They’ve danced, they’ve eaten and they’ve visited sacred places.
“The Agemo is a festival of the Awujale and they have done it on the consent of the Awujale. If he says it cannot be done, it will not be done.”
The regent, who currently heads the Council of the Awujale during the interregnum, said he received the Agemo representatives alongside members of the Adele Council on behalf of the vacant throne.
“So after they finished yesterday, they now came today to thank the Awujale. I, as the Adele, received them along with members of the Adele Council. They came to perform that function today.”
Dr. Kuku said the decision to welcome the Agemo groups back to the palace was deliberate and aimed at healing longstanding divisions within the kingdom.
“If we recall, before the death of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, he stopped gracing the festival because they offended him and Ijebuland despite supporting and allowing them their activities.
“We as a council said it is time to settle problems. We want peace to come and Agemo, being the foremost traditional masquerade, we want peace to go through there too.”
He said the reconciliation contributed to what many considered one of the most successful editions of the Agemo Festival in recent years.
“That’s why they are so happy. This year’s Agemo was one of the best ever.”
Drawing parallels with this year’s Ojude Oba Festival, which was held despite the passing of the late monarch, Dr. Kuku stressed that the cultural heritage of Ijebuland transcends any individual occupant of the throne.
“The monarch is gone, but the culture and tradition stand. It was celebrated in his name until somebody else is elected, selected or chosen.”
He disclosed that the Agemo representatives visited the palace not only to express gratitude for the reconciliation but also to seek assurances that the restored relationship would continue in the coming years.
“The king in absentia has forgiven them. The throne has forgiven them and they have once again been brought back into society.
“Forgiveness is the way forward. That is the only way we can unite and propel peace in Ijebuland.
“That was why they came today to show gratitude and respect for the grace given, as well as asking if the grace extends till next year, and we have assured them of our willingness to work with them pending the time we have a new Awujale.”
Dr. Kuku assumed leadership of Ijebuland following the passing of the long-reigning Awujale, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona, on July 13, 2025. As the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland and Regent Awujale, he currently exercises executive traditional authority over the kingdom and is leading the transition process, including the selection of a new Awujale by the kingmakers from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
This year’s Agemo Festival was the first to be held following the passing of the late Awujale and the first in seven years to witness the return of the traditional Agemo dance in Ijebu-Ode. The development has been widely regarded as a significant cultural milestone, symbolising reconciliation, continuity and the preservation of one of Ijebuland’s most treasured traditions.
