Festivals

Jimi Solanke, Latoya, Beautiful Nubia to thrill at EmuFest 2023 Ibadan

Published

3 years ago

November 24, 2023

After a scintillating edition in Lagos that serenaded music lovers, the EmuFest 2023 train will halt in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Saturday to dazzle the city with root and traditional music.

The 14th edition of the annual Eniobanke Music Festival will feature veteran musicians such as Jimi Solanke; Latoya Aduke, who is the wife of the legendary Orlando Julius Ekemode, Latoya Aduke, and the Osun Ifokanbale Band.

The convener and dynamic poet, Segun Akinlolu, popularly known as Beautiful Nubia noted that EmuFest is a connoisseur of entertainment and culture where affectionate music is enjoyed.

He said that the event, which will be held at Eniobanke Hub in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Optimistic recording artiste and performer, Latoya said performing at the music festival has always been a thing of passion for her having been part of it in the previous edition with her late husband, Orlando Julius.

“I’m so excited to hit the stage again after so long of an absence. Orlando and I shared a beautiful life in love and music. So, I think it’s healthy for me to continue. You know Orlando always supported me doing my music.

“Most people would think he hired his wife to dance. No. He hired me as a professional dancer and singer, groomed me well, and always supported my efforts. I’m honoured to be included in the 14th annual EMUFEST.

“Pa (Chris) Ajilo, Pa Jimi Solanke, Orlando Julius have been on this train since inception. So, I’m very comfortable and ready to perform for the Beautiful Nubians who always have good vibes and fun family entertainment. I trust Orlando’s love will be with me and Osun Ifokobanle Band. Ibadan is where the action is,” she added.

Related Topics:EmuFest Featured Festivals Jimi Solanke

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Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

1 hour ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”