Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on organisers of the Lisabi Pre-Festival Heritage Tour and Cultural Art Exhibition to promote Egbaland’s historical figures and heritage sites to boost tourism and position the area as a global destination.
Obasanjo made the appeal while receiving members of the festival planning team during a courtesy visit ahead of the 2026 Lisabi Festival scheduled for March 16.
In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former president emphasised the importance of preserving and upgrading historical sites, warning that continued neglect could deprive future generations of important cultural heritage.
He said Egbaland is rich in notable personalities and historic locations that require preservation and proper promotion to attract tourism and investment.
Obasanjo stressed the need to properly document and present the stories and contributions of prominent Egba figures while drawing attention to heritage sites in need of urgent restoration.
Sites mentioned include Iwe Irohin House, which hosted Nigeria’s first newspaper; the historic Abeokuta Prison at Ibara; the ageing Ibara Railway Station; Okoshokori, once home to Efunsetan Aniwura; Madam Tinubu’s storey building near Akin Olugbade Hospital; her burial ground in Gbagura; and Abeokuta’s first flyover.
He also highlighted the importance of celebrating distinguished Egba personalities and institutions such as the Ransome-Kutis, Toye Cokers, Majekodunmis, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, and Abeokuta Grammar School, describing them as central to the region’s heritage.
The Lisabi Day Festival is an annual event held in honour of Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, a revered Egba warrior believed to have disappeared mysteriously in the Oba Forest in what is now Obafemi Owode Local Government Area over two centuries ago.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Lisabi Festival Committee and Asipa of Egbaland, Navy Captain Rasheed Adisa Raji (retd.), said the visit aimed to brief Obasanjo on preparations for the 2026 festival and the planned heritage tour and cultural exhibition.
He added that the organisers also sought Obasanjo’s support and blessings for the cultural tour, which will include exhibitions of traditional herbs and indigenous medicine.
