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From Taiwo Ogunniyi, Ilorin
Share in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State has continued to use its annual Gbagede Oba festival to reconnect indigenes, preserve its cultural heritage and strengthen communal bonds, with the 2026 edition drawing sons and daughters of the community from across Nigeria and the Diaspora.
Held on May 30, as part of activities marking the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, the colourful gathering brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, old students’ associations and hundreds of Share indigenes in a celebration that blended culture, history and community development.
At the centre of the celebration was the Olupako of Share, Oba Aruna Olawale Suleiman Usman Ilufemiloye Adegbite II, who said: “The significance of this colourful occasion is to unite the good people of Share community, both at home and in the Diaspora. It is an annual event where all the sons and daughters of Share gather to celebrate, rejoice and discuss the progress and development of the community.”
Gbagede Oba takes place on the fourth day of the Ileya festival. Balogun of Share, Chief Umar Balogun, said: “This gathering is an opportunity for us to unite our people at home and abroad as we come together to celebrate Salah. That is why we call it ‘Gbagede’; it is a fantastic programme that brings all of us together.
“Despite the security challenges facing parts of the region, we are still able to come together and celebrate in this colourful way.” He expressed hope that the community would continue to witness peaceful celebrations in the years ahead.
National President, Share Patriotic Movement (SPM) and Chairman, Central Planning Committee for Gbagede Oba 2026, Prof. Ameed Bolaji, said: “It has been quite hectic putting this programme together. But we thank Almighty Allah for the success recorded. This gathering unites all the sons and daughters of Share from different walks of life, both at home and in the Diaspora, to celebrate our heritage, our identity as a land of dignity and our ancestry from Ile-Ife.
“For the 11th Olupako, this Gbagede Oba is his brainchild because he wanted all sons and daughters of Share to come together in one gathering where they can felicitate one another, create networks and interact. There are people who had not seen one another for over a decade.
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“This event has brought them back together. It is similar to Ojude Oba in Ogun State, but here in Igbomina land, it is called Gbagede Oba. Share is the first among Igbomina-speaking communities in Kwara State to introduce the celebration.
“The success of the 2026 edition reflected the collective commitment of community members and stakeholders. I am very happy. Just look at the crowd. I must appreciate all members of the subcommittees and, most importantly, the Olupako of Share and National President, Share Community Descendants Union (SCDU), for providing all the support needed to make this programme a success.”
President, SCDU, Ibrahim Aliu: “This is the period when we all come home to showcase our cultural heritage and celebrate together while reflecting on where we are and where we are headed as a community.
“We did not engage in extensive publicity because of the current security situation in the country. We are aware of what is happening around us, and we cannot be celebrating extravagantly while others are being displaced from their communities. As security improves across the country, we will be able to widen our scope and plan a more expansive gathering than this.”
The younger generation also played a prominent role in the organisation of the celebration. Youth Leader, Abdulazeez Adeyini, said: “Myself and some members of the committee are youths, and we are among those piloting this programme. Our contribution to the success of this event cannot be overemphasised. We have always played a key role in ensuring that things are properly done in the community.”
“Considering the security challenges affecting parts of Ifelodun Local Government, of which Share is the headquarters, some people may have expected us not to hold this event. However, the programme is important because it helps to allay the fears of our people living outside the community.
“With the efforts of His Royal Majesty, the local government chairman and the state government, even communities that were affected are gradually returning to their normal activities.”
The message from the 2026 Gbagede Oba was clear: for Share, culture is not only a link to the past but also a means of bringing generations together, rebuilding confidence and strengthening the collective responsibility for the community’s future.
