Pentouch 
By Dare Daramola
It’s here agains. As it was last year, Ijan Ekiti Day 2026 beckons.
This is a wake-up call coming from the Central Planning Committee for Ijan Day 2026 sayingg It’s a clarion call to consolidate on the gains of the previous year.
The mouthpiece for Ijan Day 2026 Professor John Olujobi who led the 2025 programme and is also leading the 2026 Committee said it’s time to consolidate on the past efforts to make Ijan-Ekiti a better community for the indigene as well as residents in terms of socio-economic well-being and a community where peace reigns.
Reviewing the past programmes and projecting into what 2026 event seeks to achieve, Olujobi said:
”There’s no doubt that our outing last year, after 10 years of break, was a huge success. Of course, we had our fears. We had doubts expressed by some of us in the committee. But we surmounted all the odds and challenges. We had a remarkable and wonderful programme.
”Let’s consolidate on the success of last year. It’s time we look at other new areas and explore ways to surpass the scores for 2025.”
As plans are unfolding for the 2026 programme, meetings on the outlook for this year Ijan Day are ongoing with a view to having another grand event, as new activities for another fanfare are being discussed.
There are also feelers that the venue for Ijan Day 2026 will now be at the Palace Ground, as it has been given a facelift to serve as a perfect place for the epochal occasion.
Giving an overview of the past editions, the Chairman of the Media Committee for Ijan Day, Mr Dele Morakinyo, said the programme hopes to consolidate on the past efforts to get better results for the wellbeing of the Ijan Community.
“We are making efforts to have some very important personalities as special guests this year. We have friends outside of Ekiti in Nigeria and even in the diaspora who are interested in attending Ijan Day. We will make adequate arrangements and no efforts will be spared in ensuring that they attended the epoch making event.
”We have traditions, culture and history that are etched in the hearts of many of these people. We are supposed to woo and canvass their interests. And the optimism is high that several other notable guests will join us to celebrate the occasion.”
Ijan-Ekiti monarch, Kabiyesi Lawrence Adebanji Aladesuyi, the Afayagbekun Il, urged all sons and daughters of Ijan at home and in the diaspora to again identify with Ijan Day 2026.
He explained that “the programme is to celebrate ourselves, our social, traditional and cultural heritage and values our forefathers bequeathed to us”.
He added that “We have no other place to call our own. This is the land of our birth. God knows why he gave our forefathers this place. Lots of generations have come and gone. Even if you are in Europe, America, Asia, anywhere in the world, you are first, an Ijan indigene. So, let’s consolidate what we have started”.
”I know there are more achievements coming. Let’s not shy away from the huge and great landmark of last year. The ongoing palace building project is as a result of the response and participation of everyone: the Onijan-in-Council, notable Ijan sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora, age groups, and several others, contributed handsomely to kick-start the project. I give kudos to everyone.
”I can beat my chest that up to the present level of the project, every kobo spent has been accounted for by the Building Committee. So, let’s show more commitment to this year’s Ijan Day. And, I pray and assure you that, it shall be another grand outing that will surpass what we had last year.”
The Ijan Day 2026 main event will take place on Saturday, 14th November.It will be a week-long programme with a variety of events,which will flag off on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Some of the events are beauty Pageant with juicy rewards, Medical Outreach, Posthumous and Achievers Awards for founding fathers of Ijan Day programme, football matches, cultural display, and launching of the Ijan ultramodern palace, amongst others.
