By Oluwatoyin Mathnuel
The city of Geneva, Switzerland came alive on September 27, 2025, with vibrant cultural displays as the Yoruba Community hosted a remarkable celebration tagged “Yoruba Day.”
The celebration designed as a platform to preserve the rich cultural legacy of the Yoruba people, highlighted the importance of passing down traditions to future generations, regardless of their global location.
A major highlight of the celebration was the presence of Nigerians of other ethnic groups and other international well wishers who joined the Yoruba Community for the historic. celebration.
The Royal Father of the Day, His Majesty, Professor Adeyemi Obalanlege, Ph.D., Olota of the Ancient and Paramount Otta, Aworiland, extends warm congratulations to the Yoruba Community for successful hosting of the remarkable celebration of 2025 Yoruba Day in Switzerland, commending the group for their commitment to sustaining their cultural identity while living in the diaspora.
Kabiyesi Olota encouraged the Yoruba community to remain consistent in holding such cultural events, particularly to benefit the younger generation, many of whom do not have the opportunity to visit Nigeria regularly. His Majesty stressed that cultural awareness and identity must be preserved no matter the distance from the homeland.
Kabiyesi also expressed deep appreciation for the participation of Nigerians from other ethnic groups, especially the Igbo and Hausa communities, who attended in solidarity. Kabiyesi Olota described their support as a commendable show of national unity, worthy of recognition and emulation.
The organizers expressed profound appreciation to His Majesty for his unwavering commitment and consistent leadership in the promotion of Yoruba cultural heritage, both within Nigeria and global corridor. They acknowledged Kabiyesi’s visible and active support for diaspora communities, describing him as a royal father who continues to inspire the preservation of tradition and identity with integrity, dignity, and vision both home and diaspora.
Distinguished guests at the event includes; Charge d’Affaires / Minister at the Nigerian Embassy in Bern, Switzerland, Mr Olumuyiwa Ogundemi, the Coordinator of the
Adire Carnival in Austria, Engr. Oluyemi Ogundele, among other notable attendees.
His Majesty was accompanied by our revered mother, Olori Oloruntoyin Obalanlege, as well as Chief Raymond Okikiolu Fadayiro (Baamolu of Otta) and Chief Mrs. Angela Fadayiro (Yeye Baamolu of Otta).
The event is firmly established as an annual tradition, Yoruba Day continues to serve as a meaningful platform for cultural preservation, identity promotion, and community bonding for Yorubas in the diaspora. Its continued success reaffirms the enduring relevance of cultural heritage in building unity and pride beyond borders.
… Always be proud of your identity
