A glance at the 2025 Ibadan Cultural Festival was all it took to feel it: tradition in motion, pride woven into every outfit, and unity radiating against Liberty Stadium’s age-old walls.

Held last Saturday at the iconic Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, the annual spectacle brought Ibadan’s indigenes and lovers of Yoruba culture together in their numbers. Every drumbeat, every chant, every regalia whispered stories of a city whose spirit has never dimmed.

At the heart of the celebration was the Warlords’ Parade, a tribute to the city’s warrior heritage. Men and women marched in traditional war garments, channelling the courage of their forebears. Ornate shields, lion-skin tunics, and iron staffs were carried with pride, reminding all of Ibadan’s martial roots and fearless ancestry.

But the festival wasn’t only about spectacle, it was also about honour. In a moment of solemn celebration, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) awarded notable figures who have championed culture, development, and unity.

Among the recipients were Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, both recognised for bridging communities beyond regional boundaries.

Across the stadium, spectators wore a rainbow of native attires. Elders danced alongside youths. Strangers sang together. For a moment, Ibadan was not just a city; it was a heartbeat.

The weeklong festival, curated by the CCII, has grown into more than just an annual reunion. It now serves as a living archive of Ibadan’s past glories and present aspirations. Among the standout moments were the captivating Egungun performances, ancestral masquerades cloaked in symbolic fabrics. The festival celebrates resilience, people power, and a city’s determination to keep rising again and again.