The longstanding relationship between Comrade Ochete and Boyenation boss, Hon. Ajigboye Akande Sangodade, continues to receive attention as the Igede community in Oyo State prepares for its 2026 Annual New Yam Festival in Ibadan.
The relationship between Ochete and Ajigboye has come a long way, particularly following the support provided by Ochete’s group and community for former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu. Over time, that relationship has extended beyond political and public engagements to include community interactions, cultural activities and support for the Igede people resident in Oyo State.
Hon. Ajigboye has consistently maintained a relationship with the Igede community through the connections he established with Comrade Ochete and the traditional leadership of the Igede people, including Adirahu Ny’Igede 1 of Oyo State.
That relationship will once again be on display as the Igede Traditional Council, Oyo State, under the Office of Adirahu Ny’Igede 1 of Oyo State, hosts its Annual New Yam Festival on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Ibadan.
The festival is expected to bring together Igede sons and daughters living in Oyo State, traditional leaders, community stakeholders, cultural enthusiasts, friends of the community and distinguished guests.
Celebrating Igede Heritage in Ibadan
The New Yam celebration is deeply connected to the agricultural and cultural heritage of the Igede people. The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) identifies Igede Agba as a significant annual festival of the Igede people of Oju and Obi Local Government Areas, traditionally held in September to mark the new yam harvest and express gratitude for a successful farming season. NICO notes that the celebration includes thanksgiving, cultural music and dance, feasting and activities designed to strengthen unity and preserve Igede heritage.
For Igede people living outside their ancestral communities, occasions such as this also provide an opportunity to maintain cultural connections and pass traditions from one generation to another. Nigeria's cultural institutions have repeatedly emphasized the importance of preserving indigenous festivals as part of maintaining community identity and connecting the past with the present and future.
Ochete Welcomes His Boss and Benefactor
A particularly significant aspect of this year's celebration will be the presence of Hon. Ajigboye Akande Sangodade, whom Comrade Ochete is set to welcome to the annual festival.
For Ochete, welcoming his boss and benefactor to an occasion celebrating the heritage of the Igede people represents another expression of the relationship that has developed between them over the years.
The festival is therefore expected to serve not only as a cultural gathering but also as an avenue for strengthening relationships among community members, traditional institutions, supporters and friends of the Igede people in Oyo State.
Across Nigeria, new-yam celebrations are commonly associated with thanksgiving, communal gathering, food, cultural performances and the celebration of agricultural heritage. NICO's documentation of the Igede Agba festival specifically highlights its role in fostering unity and preserving cultural heritage.
Event Details
Event: Annual New Yam Festival
Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
Time: 12:00 Noon
Venue: No. 36B Quarters Unity 1, Ayegun, Oke Odon, Apete, Ibadan, Oyo State
The organisers are inviting Igede sons and daughters resident in Oyo State to come together for the celebration and reaffirm their shared cultural identity.
RSVP and Contact Information
HRM Adirahu Onda Monday Eyi Ad'Igede 1 of Oyo State
Chairman, Igede South West Traditional Council
📞 08058730803
Chief James Ajah
President, Om'Igede of Oyo State
📞 07035087079
According to the council, the celebration is anchored on the enduring principles of unity, cultural preservation, peaceful coexistence and progress.
As the Igede community gathers in Ibadan, the 2026 Annual New Yam Festival is expected to provide an important platform for cultural expression, community interaction and the strengthening of relationships among Igede people and their friends across Oyo State.
At its core, the celebration is about preserving identity, honouring tradition and ensuring that the cultural heritage of the Igede people remains relevant for present and future generations.
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