The city of Abeokuta came alive on Saturday as the Egba people marked the grand finale of the 39th Lisabi Festival, concluding a week-long celebration that began on March 23. Held at the historic Ake Palace grounds in Ogun State, the festival attracted Egba indigenes, dignitaries, and visitors, all gathering to honour Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, the 18th-century warrior celebrated for leading a revolt against the Oyo Empire and securing independence for his people.

The festivities featured homage-paying rites, historical reenactments, drumming, and vibrant dance performances showcasing Egba heritage. Organised under the authority of the Alake of Egbaland, the event brought together all Egba subgroups—Ake, Oke-Ona, Gbagura, and Owu—in a display of unity, cultural pride, and shared identity.

A standout moment was the Egbaliganza cultural fashion showcase, led by the Aare of Egbaland, Chief Lai Labode, highlighting traditional Egba attire and promoting local enterprise, with Abeokuta’s iconic Adire fabric taking centre stage. The Lisabi Festival Committee clarified that Egbaliganza is a two-hour segment within the week-long festival and does not alter its historical focus.

The festival also served as a homecoming for Egba diaspora members, drawing political leaders, business figures, and cultural influencers, boosting commercial activity across the city and energizing street trade throughout the week. Heightened security measures ensured a smooth and peaceful celebration, reaffirming the festival’s role as a unifying cultural event rooted in history and tradition.