The Lisabi Festival, a vibrant celebration of cultural heritage and unity, recently celebrating its 37th edition in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The festival, which honors the legendary Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, a hero of the Egba liberation struggle, is a unifying event that draws crowds from both home and abroad.
It is a festival that is usually held annually by the Egba people in remembrance of Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, an Egba warrior, who is venerated for his heroic exploits during those turbulent days of inter-tribal wars and he is thus identified by all Egba people as the strength of their togetherness.
This year festival features a week of activities, including the booming of guns at Olumo Rock, the cleaning of the palace by youths, and a football competition at the late MKO Abiola Stadium.
This year’s theme, “Encouraging Youth in Agricultural Business: A Panacea to Solving Unemployment in Nigeria,” resonates with the festival’s goal of societal progress and economic empowerment.
The festival not only celebrates the past but also looks to the future, aiming to inspire the youth towards sustainable development.
The Lisabi Festival remains a cornerstone of Egba people’s identity, celebrating their history, unity, and aspirations for a better future.
Lisabi: The Warrior Who United, Liberated the Egba People
Lisabi Agbongbo Akala is a revered figure in the history of the Egba people, known for his pivotal role in their liberation.
He was a brilliant military strategist and farmer who united various Yoruba groups to rise against the Oyo Empire between 1775 and 1780.
His efforts led to the independence of communities like Ijaiye, Gbagura, and Igbeyin from the Oyo Empire’s control.
Lisabi founded a social group predominantly composed of warlords, which collaborated with villagers to eliminate the Oyo-Ile Ilaris (representatives) stationed in their communities, thereby achieving independence from the Oyo Empire.
The successful simultaneous attack on the Ilaris marked the declaration of freedom for the Egba nation, which then called itself Orile-Egba, with Gbagura as its capital.
His legacy is celebrated annually during the Lisabi Festival in March, which commemorates his bravery and the peaceful co-existence he fostered within the united Egba kingdom.
An 18 feet statue of Lisabi was also unveiled at Adatan roundabout in Abeokuta to honor the warrior’s contributions.
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