As the week-long 2026 Ijan Day celebration gathers steam, the Onijan of Ijan Ekiti, His Royal Highness, Oba Lawrence Adebanji Aladesuyi and other critical stakeholders have promised to work harmoniously with all security formations to provide adequate security cover for attendees.
Oba Aladesuyi said the town was not oblivious of the security threats confronting the nation and promised not to permit any situation that can undermine the security of his subjects, while urging Ijan Ekiti indigenes, both at home and in the diaspora not to panic as Ekiti remains one of the most peaceful states in the country under Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s exemplary leadership.
The monarch spoke through a statement released on Wednesday and made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.
The 2026 edition of the Ijan Day celebration spanning 40 years of existence will begin on November 9, while the grand finale will hold on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Highlights of the programme include: sporting competitions, cultural display, Miss Ijan Ekiti beauty pageant, free health interventions, award conferment on high profile indigenes, induction of prominent people into the town’s Hall of Fame, fund raising for palace project, among others.
Speaking about the preparations to make the socio-cultural event more grandiose, the monarch commended the various committees emplaced to drive the celebration for their sacrifices and patriotic zeal to make the event a huge success.
The monarch averred that the community was able to subdue the past nefarious security challenges due to proactive actions taken by stakeholders in partnership with security agencies and local hunters to ward off bandits and kidnappers from holding the town to ransome.
However, the traditional ruler appealed to residents of the community to be more vigilant during the celebration and make swift report of any suspicious moves to the security for prompt actions to avert s threats to the lives and property of the people.
“Ijan Day celebration is a celebration of our unity, peace and rich cultural heritage as Ijan people. We know the pivotal role this has been playing in our midst. So, we won’t take anything to chances.
“We have a record that we never witnessed any case of security challenge since we started this 40 years ago and this year won’t be an exemption. We are making adequate security measures with conventional security agencies and local hunters. We are on top of the situation.
“I appeal to my subjects resident in Nigeria and all over the world to attend this programme. It is about our unity. It is about our development. It is about our togetherness and it is about the sustenance of our cultural heritage. God will help us”, the monarch said.
Lending credence to the fact that all committees are working assiduously to make the celebration seamless and hitch-,free, the Chairman of the 2026 Ijan Day programme, Prof. John Olujobi, said the bodies are collaborating and making contacts to the right places to make the Day a huge success.
Olujobi, a Professor of Forestry at The Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, appreciated the security agencies and the local hunters for their past security cooperation, urging them to rev up the pedal and provide waterforced security for attendees this year.
“A lot of committees are working on this project. There are those dedicated to work with security agencies and local hunters. Making our people safe throughout this period is dear to us, because security is necessary and pivotal to the sustenance of unity, peace and development of our people. We are not going to rest on our oars in this regard”.
