Abeokuta-
When the images from the Egbaliganza Lisabi Day historic presentation hit the internet, Nigeria and the world hit pause, gazing in awe at the spectacle emanating from Egbaland. It was a cultural eruption like nothing the country had seen—a dazzling array of meaningful, colorful, and strikingly powerful attire and headgear. Let’s give a nod to Nigeria’s many fine festivals, but Egbaliganza has managed to master the art of being “humbly arrogant” while also being culturally innovative.
Yet, one outfit truly stole the spotlight: the iconic ensemble named ‘Kurumi of Ijaye’ worn by the mastermind behind it all, Osi-Apagun Lai Labode, Ph.D. This businessman turned cultural champion is one of Africa’s most passionate advocates for heritage—and with his attire, he showed everyone that you can indeed dress to impress, making “best-dressed Yoruba man” an understatement. The outfit was so jaw-dropping that it sent some envious souls into a tailspin. As the photos went viral and applause echoed across social media, a shadowy group emerged with the audacity to label the attire ‘sinister,’ claiming it radiated too much arrogance. Their solution? Push their own narrative.
Enter Ugo Monye, a friend and talented designer who made waves on the Egbaliganza WalkWayOfKings2025 alongside the star-studded Richard Mofe-Damijo. This faceless faction started presenting Monye—an Igbo man—as the new face of Egbaliganza, conveniently omitting that iconic attire from the conversation. They even concocted tales accusing him of being a Yoruba hater. Talk about overreaching! But let’s be real: the iconic image of Osi-Apagun Lai Labode, Ph.D., had already taken on a life of its own. The guy embodies style—you could never catch him off guard; for him, every day is a runway!
Chief Lai Labode PhD, Osi Apagun Pote of Egbaland donning ‘Kurumi Ijaye’: The Iconic Attire-face of Egbaliganza
How can anyone be afraid of Egbaliganza? They tried their hand at pitting it against Ojude-Oba, trying to set Farouk Oreagba on a collision course with Egbaland. But the Egbas pushed back, emphasizing the solidarity of Ogun State and the unique strengths of both festivals, unifying rather than dividing.
Every piece showcased at Egbaliganza carries profound meaning and cultural significance, embodying the vision of an Egba-led African Fashion Renaissance. The Egbas are firing up a campaign to create a $500 billion global African fashion industry—and trust me, they’re inviting all ethnic nationalities to jump on the bandwagon.
Mark your calendars! Egbaland will host the Nigerian Fashion Conference and the African Fashion & Orientation Conference in Abeokuta and Lagos in December 2025 and December 2026, respectively. The buzz around Egbaliganza 2026 is already mind-blowing, and you can bet that expectations are soaring for Ojude-Oba as well. They’re rightfully reassessing their plans, and Lagos is sprucing up its festivals, all thanks to the blazing trail Egbaliganza has set.
So yes, let this fire burn bright! After all, as we all know, “When one door closes, another opens,” and right now, it looks like Egbaliganza has flung wide open a door to a vibrant future for culture, fashion, and, quite frankly, a renewed sense of pride in Nigerian heritage. Who is afraid of Egbaliganza? Clearly, those who can’t handle the heat!
