FirstBank Backs Oke-Odan Cultural Festival, Deepening Its Support For Heritage And Community Growth

FirstBank of Nigeria Ltd is once again placing culture at the heart of its corporate vision, reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria’s heritage through its sponsorship of the Oke-Odan Cultural Festival 2025 in Yewa South, Ogun State.

In a statement, the bank said its support aligns with two of its long-running cultural pillars First@Arts, its platform for promoting African artistry and heritage, and #DecemberIssaVybe, the annual celebration that highlights culture, tourism, and lifestyle in the festive season.

This year’s festival, themed “Leveraging Cultural Integration for Economic Prosperity,” carried a deeper message: that culture is not just memory, but a living force capable of powering economic opportunity. From youth-focused activities to award ceremonies and the commissioning of community projects, FirstBank stressed that its sponsorship was aimed at strengthening both identity and prosperity.

The PUNCH reported that the festival served as a bridge between indigenes at home and those in the diaspora a cultural homecoming wrapped in colour, music, tradition, and shared pride.

Speaking at the event, the Oloke-Odan of Oke-Odan, Oba Oluwarotimi Fagbenro, praised FirstBank and other partners for their dedication to cultural preservation.

“Our rich cultural heritage in general language is hereby being celebrated more than ever before,” he said, noting that the celebration reflected wellness, education, development, and an unbroken bond among the people.

The monarch explained that what began as Oke-Odan Day in 2022 has now expanded into a much broader festival — an evolution driven by changing times and the growing involvement of the entire community.

He also appealed directly to Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, urging the construction of the long-requested Oke-Odan bypass linking the Owode–Idiroko corridor. The community, he said, has consistently called for the road since the beginning of the current administration.

As the drums faded and the festival drew to a close, one thing remained clear: FirstBank’s imprint on cultural preservation continues to deepen, echoing the belief that Nigeria’s heritage is not just to be remembered but to be lived, shared, and passed forward.