The Lisabi Festival Committee has dismissed online claims that this year’s 39th edition of the historic celebration is being turned into a platform for Egbaliganza, the Egba fashion initiative led by Chief Lai Labode.
In a statement signed by High Chief Rasheed Raji, Asipa of Egbaland and chairman of the committee, the panel described a viral video alleging that the festival now centres on Egbaliganza as entirely false and misleading. He said the narrative distorts the true history and purpose of the event.
Raji stressed that the Lisabi Festival remains an annual homage to Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, the 17th century Egba warrior who led his people to freedom from the dominance of the old Oyo Empire. He said the festival is rooted in cultural remembrance and has no plans to align itself with any commercial or fashion brand.
While acknowledging Egbaliganza as a laudable initiative that promotes Egba fashion and enterprise under Chief Labode’s leadership, the committee maintained that the two platforms are separate in both purpose and structure.
According to Raji, only about two hours within the week long programme have been set aside for an Egbaliganza showcase of Egba attire. He described the segment as purely honorary and not intended to redefine or overshadow the festival’s historical focus on Lisabi and Egba liberation.
The committee confirmed that the 39th Lisabi Festival will run from March 23 to 29, 2026, with the grand finale scheduled for March 28 in Abeokuta. Raji said recent promotional materials from the Egbaliganza team, highlighting royal presence, cultural parades and international participation, may have fuelled the impression that the fashion brand is now at the centre of the celebrations.
He added that social media posts describing the event as “Lisabi Festival Egbaliganza” have further deepened this misconception, which the committee is now determined to correct. He recalled that after Egbaliganza’s colourful debut at the 2025 festival, some traditional stakeholders quietly voiced concern that too much glamour might dilute the spiritual and historical essence of the occasion.
Raji said committee leaders have since reiterated that the festival’s core remains the celebration of Egba history and identity. He noted that their closing message last year was clear: “We are celebrating our hero. We are celebrating our history. We are celebrating Lisabi,” followed by the rallying cry “Egba Agbewa Ooo.”
He explained that as preparations intensify for the March celebration, attention across Egbaland and beyond will focus on whether ongoing dialogue can ease tensions, and how best to balance cultural heritage with high profile branding.
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