The Alaaye of Efon Kingdom, Oba Dr. Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare Agunsoye II, has adopted Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, as chiefs of Efon Kingdom.
The monarch made the announcement on Saturday at the grand finale of the 2026 Efon Alaaye Day celebration held at the Efon Alaaye Stadium, Itawure Road.
He announced Governor Oyebanji as Bashorun Ataiyese of Efon Kingdom and Senator Bamidele as Okanlomo Atunluse of Efon Kingdom, saying the formal conferment of the titles would take place later.
The celebration, themed “EFONXTRAORDINAIRE 2026,” marked the 43rd anniversary of the annual thanksgiving, which began in 1984 following the political crisis that accompanied the 1983 governorship election in the old Ondo State.
The monarch said the festival had evolved from a thanksgiving service into an annual celebration of Efon’s culture, unity and development.
Speaking at the event, the President-General of the Efon Alaaye Development League (EDL), Balogun Olumuyiwa Oluwole Aiyegbusi, urged indigenes at home and abroad to invest in the kingdom’s development.
He called for greater investment in education, commerce, industrialisation and tourism, stressing that Efon’s peaceful environment, climate and mountain scenery offered opportunities for investors.
Aiyegbusi also thanked businessman Gbenga Akanni, popularly known as Gentleman of G-Unit Hotels, for sponsoring the performance of Fuji star Abass Akande Obesere, who thrilled the crowd at the celebration.
The EDL Secretary-General, Afolabi Ige, said the annual celebration had been revived after a 12-year lull between 2012 and 2023. He also announced the establishment of five standing committees covering finance, social services, education, security and economic development.
The Chairman of Efon Local Government, Hon. Afolabi Segun Ezekiel, listed several ongoing development projects across the council, including road rehabilitation, drainage works, bridges, boreholes, farm roads and support for electricity and water supply.
The celebration featured cultural displays, youth activities, sporting events, Egungun parade, free medical outreach, Miss Efon Alaaye pageant and a National Thanksgiving Service.
Several distinguished sons and daughters of Efon were also honoured for their contributions to community development, business, law and public service.
The 2026 Efon Alaaye Day celebration will climax on Sunday with the National Thanksgiving Service.
