Former First Lady of Ogun State and the revered Yeye Moremi Oodua of the Source, Ile-Ife, Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs.) Olufunso Amosun, will today, November 7, lead the celebration of the 2026 Moremi Edi Festival in the historic city of Ile-Ife, where she will crown the next Queen Moremi Ajasoro at the grand finale of the prestigious Queen Moremi Ajasoro Cultural and Leadership Pageant.
The three-day celebration, taking place under the royal authority of Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, celebrates the enduring legacy of Queen Moremi Ajasoro, the legendary heroine whose courage, sacrifice and selflessness remain deeply woven into the history, identity and cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.
Established through the vision of the Ooni of Ife, the Queen Moremi Ajasoro Initiative has evolved into an important platform for cultural preservation, female leadership, youth development and the empowerment of young women. Under the leadership of Her Royal Majesty, Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, its Global Ambassador, the initiative continues to inspire a new generation of young women to embrace their heritage, develop their leadership potential and become positive agents of change in society.
Beyond the cultural festivities and the much-anticipated crowning of a new queen, this year’s celebration also highlights the remarkable commitment of Yeye Moremi Oodua, Chief (Mrs.) Olufunso Amosun, to community development and giving back to the people of Ile-Ife.
Through her various humanitarian, educational and empowerment initiatives, Yeye Moremi Oodua is bringing meaningful opportunities to the community, extending the significance of the celebration beyond cultural remembrance to tangible social impact.
Among the programmes scheduled for today are the presentation of certificates to the first batch of beneficiaries of the YMO AI and Digital Skills Training Programme, the flag-off of a free eye camp and health check initiative, the Edi Moremi Festival and a traditional torchlight procession, culminating in the Queen Moremi Ajasoro Cultural and Leadership Pageant.
The celebration continues on Sunday, November 8, with a Women’s Empowerment Programme featuring commercial grants aimed at supporting women and strengthening their economic opportunities.
These laudable interventions reflect the vision of Yeye Moremi Oodua to honour the legacy of Queen Moremi Ajasoro not merely through annual celebrations, but by translating the values of courage, sacrifice and service associated with the legendary heroine into practical opportunities that improve lives.
It is a remarkable expression of giving back to the historic community of Ile-Ife, empowering its people, creating opportunities for women and young people, and ensuring that the legacy of Moremi continues to inspire meaningful progress for generations to come.
As Ile-Ife celebrates its legendary heroine, the 2026 Moremi Edi Festival stands as a celebration of heritage, purposeful leadership, community development and the enduring power of women to shape the future.