The 2026 Edi Moremi Festival in Ile-Ife, Osun State, featured a series of empowerment initiatives, with 70 youths graduating from an artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills training programme, while more than 220 people benefited from free medical services.
The two-day celebration, held on November 7 and 8, also saw women receive financial support to strengthen their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
According to a statement issued by the Ooni’s Palace Senior Media Officer, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, one of the major highlights was the graduation of the first cohort of the YMO AI and Digital Skills Training Hub.
The 70 beneficiaries successfully completed a six-week intensive programme and received their certificates at a ceremony held at the Sir Adebutu Keshington Building within the Ooni’s Palace.
Speaking at the presentation, Amosun said the initiative was inspired by Queen Moremi’s courage and sacrifice in defending the people of Ile-Ife.
She explained that the training hub was established to extend the heroine’s legacy of liberation by equipping young people with technological skills that could improve their employment prospects, support entrepreneurship and promote financial independence.
“In this day and age, where everything has gone digital and there is technological advancement, we have taken it upon ourselves to liberate the upcoming generation by empowering them with digital skills and artificial intelligence to enable them to get better jobs,” she said.
Amosun disclosed that about 150 participants initially enrolled in the programme, but only 70 qualified for graduation after meeting the required attendance, commitment and performance standards.
She added that participants who did not meet the requirements would be given another opportunity through a two-week refresher programme before undergoing a fresh assessment.
She encouraged more young people to take advantage of the free training, noting that the centre remained open to those interested in acquiring digital skills.
Beyond the training programme, the festival featured a free medical outreach organised by Yeye Moremi Oodua in collaboration with the Eye Foundation. More than 220 beneficiaries from the palace and the wider Ile-Ife community received medical attention.
The outreach included eye examinations, screenings and free prescription glasses for those who needed them, while eligible patients also benefited from glaucoma surgeries at no cost.
Women in the community also received financial grants under an empowerment programme designed to support their businesses, strengthen their income and encourage economic independence.
The 2026 celebration was held under the theme, “Honouring the Past, Empowering the Future,” reflecting its focus on combining cultural preservation with practical interventions for the community.
Another major attraction was the annual Queen Moremi Ajasoro Beauty Pageant, an initiative of the Queen Moremi Ajasoro Global Ambassador, Her Majesty, Queen Aderonke Ogunwusi. Now in its 11th year, the pageant seeks to promote the values of courage, intelligence and selflessness associated with the historical heroine.
Speaking at the event, Queen Aderonke said the initiative was designed to ensure that the celebration of Queen Moremi went beyond cultural remembrance to include programmes that make a practical difference in people’s lives.
She thanked the Ooni for his support and praised Amosun for her continued commitment to the festival.
She also urged the graduating youths to put their newly acquired skills to productive use, noting that technology had become an important driver of employment, innovation and economic growth.
Queen Aderonke further disclosed that some participants had already secured employment opportunities after completing the training, including beneficiaries who had been personally employed by her.
Other activities during the two-day celebration included the traditional Edi Moremi Festival, the flag-off of the free eye camp and health screening, a torchlight procession and the beauty pageant.
Through the combination of cultural activities, youth training, healthcare and financial support for women, the 2026 Moremi Festival sought to keep Queen Moremi’s legacy alive while extending its impact to the present generation.
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