By Sunkanmi Adewunmi
On Monday, Onigbongbo came alive with sound, colour and the slow, dignified rhythm of a people celebrating one of their own. The fifth anniversary of the coronation of His Royal Majesty Oba Oluwasegun Adeyemi Ajasa, Awuse of the Onigbongbo Kingdom, was more than a date on the calendar; it unfolded as a carefully woven story of dance, drumming, costume and ceremony. The streets thrummed with energy as families, chiefs and visitors streamed towards the palace — a striking new landmark — to mark half a decade of tradition, leadership and community.
A palace that announces itself
You could spot the palace long before you reached the gate. Freshly constructed and impossibly photogenic, the Oba’s residence is already being called “a sight to behold in Onigbongbo.” Its architecture gives the place presence without pomp. Even the elders remarked on how the palace now provides a fitting stage for the town’s rites and gatherings. For many, its very presence symbolises a fresh chapter in Onigbongbo’s public life.
Culture on full display
The core of the celebration, however, was the cultural programme. Troupes moved in procession: masqurades out to bring life to the occasion and drummers whose beats seemed to talk back to the heart. Food stalls lined up selling to visitors.
The whole town spilled into the streets to watch the masquerade, neighbours shoulder to shoulder, laughter and drumbeats rising together; people danced and exchanged greetings as if they’d known one another for years, and visitors from neighbouring communities joined the revelry, turning the celebration into a warm, communal homecoming.
Moments that linger
What stays with you after a day like this are the small, human details. Children running towards and away from masqurades, friends laughing and singing together, a young drummer improvising and drawing smiles from the crowd, the Oba standing, looking over the town that entrusted him with its history. Those moments, more than any programme, longer than any speech, are what makes communal celebrations matter.
Why it matters to Onigbongbo
Celebrations anchor communities. They offer an occasion to remember, to celebrate, and to plan. In marking five years since Oba Oluwasegun Adeyemi Ajasa’s coronation, Onigbongbo celebrated continuity and signalled ambition. The palace, the pageantry, and the people’s turnout all suggested a town conscious of its identity but eager to present itself to the wider world with pride.
