Okeagbe celebrates Olukoju’s first coronation anniversary
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The ancient community of Odooko Afa, Okeagbe Akoko, in Ondo State, is set to showcase its rich cultural heritage and celebrate its ancestral history as it prepares for the Second Ancestors’ Remembrance and Appreciation Day alongside the first coronation anniversary of Olukoju, High Chief Bakkita Bello, a former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly.
The two-day historic event, scheduled for Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Ile Olukoju (The Court of Olukoju), Odooko Afa, is expected to bring together sons and daughters of the community, traditional rulers, elders, indigenes in the diaspora and other well-wishers in a celebration of ancestry, tradition and communal identity.
The organisers said the twin celebration was designed not only to honour the memory and contributions of the community’s forebears but also to strengthen the bonds of unity among the people and preserve the cultural values handed down through generations.
They described the occasion as an opportunity to reconnect the present generation with its roots, document the history of Odooko Afa and promote the community’s cultural identity to a wider audience.
A major highlight of the celebration will be traditional rites, cultural displays and other heritage activities aimed at showcasing the customs, beliefs and historical significance of the community.
The event will also feature the recognition and appreciation of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development and progress of Odooko, Afa and Okeagbe Akoko.
The organisers noted that the remembrance of ancestors remained an important aspect of preserving the identity of the community, stressing that the sacrifices, wisdom and legacies of past generations provided the foundation upon which present-day Odooko was built.
According to them, the celebration offers an opportunity for the people to reflect on their collective history, appreciate the contributions of their forebears and transmit cherished cultural values to younger generations.
The first coronation anniversary of Olukoju, High Chief Bakkita Bello, will equally provide an opportunity to celebrate traditional leadership and its role in promoting peace, unity, cultural preservation and community development.
The organisers called on all sons and daughters of Afa and Okeagbe, both at home and abroad, as well as traditional institutions, community leaders and friends of the area, to participate in the landmark celebration.
They emphasised that preserving the history of a people was a collective responsibility, adding that the event represented a renewed commitment to ensuring that the heritage and authentic stories of Odooko Afa were not lost to future generations.
The celebration, they said, would ultimately serve as a bridge between the past and the present, bringing the people together to honour their ancestors, celebrate their traditional institutions and reaffirm their common identity.
