Osi-Ekiti community in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State has unveiled a series of development initiatives aimed at strengthening its economy, reviving academic excellence, promoting tourism and culture and creating opportunities for youths.
The initiatives were unveiled as part of activities marking the 2026 Uponna Olosi celebration themed ‘Our heritage: Building strength for development.’
The traditional ruler of the community, the Olosi of Osi-Ekiti, Oba (Dr.) Stephen Adegboyega Alabi said the annual event was being repositioned as a platform for unity, global participation, tourism and community development.
He said Osi Day, which was rechristened Uponna Olosi last year, was expected to grow into a major tourism and development platform for the community, while acknowledging the contributions of indigenes at home and abroad to the growth of Osi-Ekiti.
According to him, the community has established think tanks focusing on five key areas – industrial development, academic revival, promotion of arts, culture and tourism, sports revolution and legal advancement – as part of efforts to accelerate development.
He said the initiatives were designed to revive Osi-Ekiti’s leadership in academics, mentor young scholars, promote its cultural and tourism potential, develop sports as an alternative source of livelihood for youths and encourage indigenes to attain excellence in the legal profession.
The monarch disclosed that the event, which is to start with Prayer sessions from September 28, 2026, at the palace of Osi Ekiti by 8:00a.m will be coordinated by the chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Oba Alabi said the community had opened a new market for farm produce on June 28, 2026, describing the initiative as a means of strengthening local commerce.
He further highlighted global honours to recognise outstanding sons and daughters of Osi-Ekiti, noting that the first edition honoured professors, a registrar of a federal higher institution, a trade union leader and first-class graduates.
Alabi said work on the new royal palace was also progressing steadily through contributions from the Osi Progressive Union and other partners.
He listed some of the improvements as the opening of a new entrance and exit for the royal grounds, landscaping of the palace forecourt, refurbishment of the customary court building into a Palace Hall, construction of a public toilet, refurbishment of the Olumayese Royal Platform and provision of royal furniture and other utilities.
Similarly, the community is pursuing the development of the proposed Sports Arena, with land donated for the project having been surveyed.
Global President of Osi Progressive Union, ACM Oludare Fadogba (rtd.), said the proposed sports complex would provide opportunities for talent discovery, healthy living and recreation, while also promoting discipline, teamwork, leadership, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition among youths.
Fadogba said the 2026 celebration, themed ‘Our Heritage: Building Strength for Development,’ would therefore go beyond cultural festivities to mobilise support for the completion of the Olosi’s Palace and development of the sports complex.
The community is seeking to raise N500 million through an appeal fund for the development projects during the grand finale of Uponna Olosi Day on October 1, 2026.
The week-long celebration, scheduled for September 28 to October 4, will feature a prayer session, community clean-up, football competition, marathon race, youth carnival and cultural panorama, awards, royal procession, honorary chieftaincy installations and other cultural activities.
The grand finale will take place on October 1 at the Health Centre Complex, Iropora Road, Osi-Ekiti, with Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, expected as Special Guest of Honour.
The celebration will also feature the commissioning/opening of Mercy International Hospital on October 3, before the thanksgiving service on October 4.