LAGOS – Dignitaries from all walks of life, at the weekend, graced the official installation of the proponent of Eg-baliganza, a magnificent celebration of Egba heritage and tradition, Chief Lai Labode, as the Balogun of Ijaye community in Egbaland. Chief Labode’s installation wit-nessed magnificent celebrations and displays of tradition and culture of the Egba people at the celebration held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presi-dent Library (OOPL) pavilion. The celebration was attended by a score of prominent Nigerians from highly placed government officials, first-class traditional Obas, business moguls and politicians across the country as a reflection of the high social standing, popularity and sig-nificance of the Balogun title in the hierarchy of the Egba title holders. The prelude to the grand fina-le commenced on Wednesday at Oke-idiroko. It was followed by a pre-sentation of the Balogun at the Ake Palace to the apex ruler of Egbaland, High Royal Majesty, Alake of Egbal-and, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III. Chief Lai Labode, accompanied by Ijaye Indigenes and other associates, was presented to Oba Gbadebo who endorsed the candidature of the Osi Apagun of Egbaland as the Balogun of Ijaye. The endorsement of Chief Lai Labode by Oba Arenu Gbadebo and the Egba in Council drew wide ap-plause from Ijaye sons and daughters as the jubilation snowballed into a cel-ebration dance called Woro. The Woro Dance, an indigenous dance, featured singing, drumming and dancing around the nooks and crannies of the Ijaye community. The jubilant sons and daughters went from one place to another sig-nifying cohesion among the people. Governor Dapo Abiodun Congrat-ulates Lai Labode Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, congratulated Chief Lai Labode’s installation as the Balo-gun of Ijaye. The Governor was represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi at the event. Fagbayi praised Labode’s commit-ment to community development and cultural advancement. “Today’s event is to felicitate with our brother, the new Balogun of Ijaye. “His installation is a testament to his capability to move Ijaye, Egbaland, and Ogun State forward. “He has been a strong partner with our ministry, especially in preserving and promoting our cultural heritage. We pray that he continues to wax stronger in sound health, riches, and prosperity.” Speaking with journalists, the newly installed Balogun of Ijaye, High Chief Lai Labode, expressed deep gratitude and outlined a visionary agenda for the future of Ijaye, Egbal-and, and Africa. “We are inspired by Kabiyesi, the Alake of Egbaland, who has continu-ally urged all sons and daughters of Egba to return home and chart a new course for our land. “Ijaye has always taken the lead in creating new firsts for Egbaland. When we do so, we also create firsts for Ogun State, for Nigeria, and in-deed for Africa.” Speaking, Balogun Lai Labode re-vealed ambitious plans to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy to spotlight Egbaland on the continental and global stage. He said: “The Federal Government is already enhancing the cultural her-itage of Yoruba land, it’s is a partner-ship that the federal government is doing with all states of the federation and we’re going to be working with the federal ministry of art and culture and creative economy to set the pace for a new time for Africa where Africa deserves to have at least the 500 billion dollar fashion economy. “Come 2026 Egbaliganza, in Eg-baland, we would sign a new chap-ter for Africa. There would be a con-federation of African fashion signs in Egbaland. The Nigerian fashion federation would be signed, and we would establish the first fashion Olympics in the world, so quite a bit coming out from Ijaye, coming out from Egbaland and of course, all of this is for Africa. “For those who are conscious of how history would remember them, they’re more likely to behave better and give more when it comes to ser-vice of the community, and that’s what Ijaye stands for, and that’s what Egbaland stands for .” Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General of the Nigeria Sports Com-mission (NSC), in a goodwill message, described Chief Labode as a man of industry and vision. “I am proud to join others in cel-ebrating my brother. His ascension as Balogun gives us renewed hope for the future of Egbaland. He believes strongly in our values, culture, and the richness of the Egba identity.” In the same vein, Ambassador Sharafa Tunji Ishola, the former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, also praised the as-cension of Chief Lai Labode as the new Balogun of the Ijaye community. The Tayese of Egbaland who acknowledged the good deeds of Balogun Labode’s father, said, “The reward for good is better than the re-ward for bad.” He encouraged parents to remain steadfast in good deeds for the sake of their children’s future. “I congratulate the Balogun of Ijaye and assure you of my support in all ramifications.”