The ancient town of Isara Remo in Ogun State is set for a new phase of cultural and socio-economic transformation as organisers of the 2026 Afotamodi Festival unveiled ambitious plans to raise ₦500 million for developmental projects, including the reconstruction of the Odemo’s palace and initiatives aimed at attracting investment to the community.
The plans were unveiled during the inauguration of the festival planning committee headed by Mr. Eric Ola Animasaun, who pledged an inclusive and innovative festival that would celebrate the rich history, culture and economic potential of Isara.
Animasaun expressed profound appreciation to the Odemo of Isara, Oba Peter Oluwole Ogunbayo (Otete III), traditional chiefs and members of the monarch’s kitchen cabinet for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the committee.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled by the confidence reposed in me. This committee will work with determination and broad consultations to ensure that every stakeholder is carried along as we deliver a festival worthy of our heritage,” he said.
Describing Afotamodi as more than a cultural festival, Animasaun said the event would showcase Isara’s history, traditions, culture and people while promoting the town as a destination for business and investment.
He recalled that Isara Remo was founded in the 15th century by Adeyemo Ode-Omo-Ooni, an Ife prince who settled in the area during a hunting expedition alongside his kinsmen, Ise-Orunmila and Aramfe, noting that the festival would provide an opportunity to educate younger generations about the town’s rich heritage.
The committee chairman disclosed that organisers had set a target of ₦500 million to fund the various activities and projects earmarked for the festival.
According to him, a major component of the development agenda is the renovation and redesign of the Odemo’s palace into a modern traditional institution equipped with facilities that would enhance the performance of royal duties and reflect the status of Isara as a growing commercial centre.
“We want to use this festival to showcase the natural and human resources of Isara, particularly the strength and creativity of our youths, so that investors from across Nigeria and beyond will see the town as an attractive destination for investment,” he stated.
He added that the festival would feature performances by top Nigerian musicians, including King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 De Ultimate), Musiliu Haruna Ishola and Lanre Teriba, alongside sporting activities, educational programmes, cultural displays, beauty pageantry, arts and crafts exhibitions, fashion parades, religious lectures and medical outreach programmes, including free eye screening.
Animasaun assured residents and visitors of adequate security throughout the festival period, stressing that organisers would work closely with security agencies, including the police, military, Amotekun Corps and local vigilante groups to ensure a peaceful celebration.
“Our security arrangements will be comprehensive and round-the-clock because the safety of lives and property remains our highest priority,” he said.
Speaking on the forthcoming festival, the Odemo of Isara, Oba Peter Oluwole Ogunbayo (Otete III), said the 2026 edition of Afotamodi would be unprecedented, promising innovations and programmes designed to elevate the profile of the festival and project Isara to the global community.
The monarch noted that the festival aligns with his vision of repositioning the ancient town for sustainable development, cultural preservation and economic growth.
Reflecting on developments since his ascension to the throne on September 8, 2025, Oba Ogunbayo said his administration had embarked on a deliberate mission to transform Isara and change the narrative of the community through strategic interventions.
He listed some of the achievements recorded under his reign to include the establishment of the Isara Security Task Force, an integrated security structure bringing together various local security outfits to enhance the protection of lives and property.
The royal father also highlighted the opening of several access roads and routes within the town, as well as the conduct of a comprehensive house enumeration exercise aimed at improving planning, security and governance.
While fielding questions from journalists, Oba Ogunbayo commended the Federal Government for supporting ongoing efforts toward the creation of state police, a proposal currently receiving attention at the National Assembly.
The monarch argued that state police, complemented by effective community policing, remains one of the most practical solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.
According to him, the security model adopted in Isara Remo, which integrates local security apparatuses under a coordinated structure, has demonstrated the effectiveness of community-based security initiatives.
He expressed optimism that a properly structured state police system would strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response time and enhance the overall security architecture of the country.
The royal father urged all sons and daughters of Isara, both at home and in the diaspora, to support the Afotamodi Festival and contribute to the development aspirations of the town.
The 57th Afotamodi Festival is expected to attract dignitaries, investors, tourists, cultural enthusiasts and indigenes from across Nigeria and beyond, with stakeholders describing it as a landmark event in the continuing transformation of Isara Remo.
