Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival gains momentum, listed in month-long Oyo festival in December

Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival gains momentum, listed in month-long Oyo festival in December

Khalid ABRAHAM

The Oyo state government has officially listed the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival in the lineup of activities for this year’s Faaji December cultural and entertainment festival.

The Faaji December programme, put together by the ministry of culture and tourism, will run from December 1, 2025, to January 2, 2026.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum held in Ibadan, the secretary of the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival planning committee, Mr. Muyiwa Oke, said the carnival’s inclusion in the statewide festive calendar underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening tourism and cultural heritage across all zones.

He added that the carnival which is part of the 25-year development agenda of Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, aims at promoting rich cultural heritage and unity of Ogbomosoland .

“We are fully prepared to consolidate on the success recorded during last year’s maiden edition,” Oke noted.

Hon. Wasiu Olatubosun, the state commissioner for culture and tourism in his remark stated that the maiden edition of the programme held last year recorded a huge success. He expressed optimism that this year’s edition will surpass the previous one, assuring that the organizers are better prepared to deliver an improved and more engaging cultural experience.

This year’s “Vibing (Faaji) December” lineup features a rich blend of entertainment and cultural displays, and will include major concerts, cultural parades, arts and crafts exhibitions, food and fashion fairs, street carnivals, and community-led festivals across the state. The inclusion of Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival adds further colour and diversity to the statewide celebration.

According to the organizers, the 2025 edition of the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival will feature an expanded lineup of events, greater community participation, creative performances, and tourism-driven initiatives aimed at boosting the local economy.