The ancient traditions of Ondo Kingdom came alive as the 2026 Ekimogun Festival drew traditional rulers, dignitaries, residents, tourists and members of the Nigerian diaspora for a colourful celebration of Yoruba heritage.
At the heart of the festivities was Seaman’s Schnapps, which served as lead sponsor and official prayer drink for the annual celebration, reaffirming its support for the preservation and promotion of Nigeria’s indigenous cultural heritage.
Also known as the Ogun Festival, the Ekimogun celebration honours Ogun, the Yoruba deity traditionally associated with iron, warfare, craftsmanship and creativity. The festival featured traditional prayers, drumming, cultural performances, carnivals and community competitions, providing an avenue for the people of Ondo to celebrate their history and identity.
Beyond its sponsorship role, Seaman’s Schnapps participated in several activities designed to deepen engagement with the community and highlight aspects of the kingdom’s cultural traditions.
On the eve of the grand finale, representatives of the brand paid a courtesy visit to the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo. During the visit, the team presented the monarch with an honorarium and a specially commissioned portrait as a gesture of respect for the traditional institution and the heritage of the Ondo people.
The brand also organised an Ayo Olopon competition at Odo Ajomu, attracting participants and spectators while bringing renewed attention to the traditional Yoruba board game.
Another major attraction was the Seaman’s Schnapps Prayer Hut, which provided a gathering point for festival-goers. A branded media wall at the event also showcased the brand’s new 20cl product alongside its traditional 3cl offering.
The grand finale brought together music, dance and traditional pageantry, with a cultural troupe supported by Seaman’s Schnapps performing traditional dances and eulogies around the Osemawe’s Palace.
The brand further supported pounded-yam and eating competitions, with winners receiving gifts, adding a recreational dimension to the cultural celebration.
Speaking at the festival, Senior Brand Manager, Nigeria Distilleries Limited, Nnenna Uche-Onyenacho, said the celebration represented values closely aligned with the identity of Seaman’s Schnapps.
“The Ogun Festival is a celebration of strength, creativity, and identity, values that are at the very heart of what Seaman’s Schnapps represents as Nigeria’s original prayer drink. We are honoured to stand with the Ekimogun people in preserving and promoting a heritage that belongs not only to Ondo but to all Nigerians,” Uche-Onyenacho said.
She stressed that the company’s involvement was not limited to conventional sponsorship or brand visibility, describing its participation as part of a broader effort to connect with and preserve living Nigerian traditions.
“Our presence here is not about a logo on a banner. It is about being part of a living culture and helping to preserve and pass it on to future generations,” she said.
Marketing Manager, Nigeria Distilleries Limited, Gbemileke Lawal, similarly said the company’s continued backing of the Ekimogun Festival and other cultural celebrations reflected its commitment to supporting Nigerian culture as an active and evolving expression of national identity.
The festival also provided an opportunity for traditional and political leaders to highlight the importance of protecting indigenous heritage.
The Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo, called on governments at all levels to intensify efforts to preserve Nigeria’s indigenous heritage. He also urged state and local authorities to provide greater support for local festivals and help institutionalise them as a means of promoting tourism and cultural development.
Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, described the festival as an important representation of the identity and values of the Ondo people.
Palace spokesperson, Chief Wole Benson, said Ondo City effectively transformed into a carnival ground throughout the celebration, reflecting the enthusiasm of residents and visitors who turned out for the annual event.
For Seaman’s Schnapps, the continued partnership with the Ekimogun Festival forms part of a wider cultural engagement strategy aimed at supporting authentic Nigerian traditions and encouraging younger generations to learn about, appreciate and embrace their heritage.
The 2026 celebration therefore served not only as a religious and cultural gathering, but also as a reminder of the role traditional festivals can play in preserving history, strengthening community identity and opening new opportunities for tourism and cultural development.