The annual Lidero festival of Idado community in Sagamu Local Government Area has been described as the bedrock of cultural transformation, which serves as a source of hope to sustain and propagate core values of Yoruba race.

The Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, said this at the grand finale of a week-long 2025 Lidero festival in Sagamu.

“With passion and dedication, Yoruba race has been able to achieve and answer the call of history to make it the pride of all races, Lidero festival which came to fore years back has been doing well in the area of cultural transformation and integration with common efforts to sustain the Yoruba project”, he said.

Oba Ajayi expressed gratitude to the State government, Radanuwa of Idado and the people in the community for sustaining tradition, appreciating the Prince Dapo Abiodun’s administration for the facelift of Olumo rock and free access to further promote the Yoruba culture.

He explained that the festival was aimed at promoting the Yoruba culture and tradition, enjoining everyone to continue to support the present administration in its quest at promoting the Yoruba culture and tradition, saying that our culture should not be lost to civilization.

In his remarks, the Radanuwa of Idado and chief host of the festival, Oba Musiliu Soile, commended the State Government and the Akarigbo for their unwavering support, adding that the community was emulating the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to promote the Yoruba culture, saying that ‘culture is an identity’.

He stated that government had put necessary measures in place to ensure security of lives and property across the State, adding that this informed the decision to launch a hundred million security fund to construct security post in the community which was in tandem with the  ‘Building our future together’ agenda of the present administration.

The Royal father enjoined people in the community to be law abiding and cooperate with law enforcement agencies for the progress and socio-economic development of the community.

Earlier in his address, the Oluwo Idado and Chairman, planning committee of 2025 Lidero festival, Chief Adeyinka Adefemi enlightened that the festival was aimed at promoting the State’s cultural heritage and tradition, ensure peace and tranquility, adding that the festival  fostered unity among the people.

He highlighted the objectives of the festival to include; skill acquisition training with issuance of Certificates which was designed to empower the youths and women to be self-reliance and reduce unemployment.

 Other features of the festival were, marathon race, ram competition, correctional center outreach, novelty match, youth carnival, talent haunt, sanitation drive, young adult fun fair, beauty pageant and award night.

Highlight of the grand finale event include; Ewi recitations, cultural display by Isoko community and introduction of a scholarship project to support education among the youths.