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By : Eniola Daniel
Date: 22 Apr 2025
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In a world where globalization continues to challenge cultural identity, Chief Lai Labode has taken a bold stand for heritage with the launch of Egbaliganza. This movement is as rooted in fashion as it is in philosophy, urban development, and African pride.
Chief Labode who is the visionary behind this movement said Egbaliganza is not just fashion but a legacy.
“It’s about preserving and projecting what matters into the future—with confidence.”
Launched during the 2025 Lisabi Festival, Egbaliganza is on the verge to becoming a cultural blueprint for what it means to be Egba in the modern world.
The initiative unveiled 840 unique outfits, each connected to a name, a story, and a slice of Egba history.
“Every attire is a thread in our cultural fabric,” Labode said. “We named them after legends such as Kurunmi of Ijaye and symbols like the Abetieye cap to remind us who we are.”
But Egbaliganza is more than just clothing. At its core is a 50-year vision to rebuild Egbaland through art, heritage tourism, youth mentorship, and infrastructure.
“We are taking existing estates and converting them into heritage corridors. Imagine walking down a street where the walls speak our stories, where monuments tell the journey of the Egba people,” Lai Labode said.
One of the most transformative aspects of the initiative is its youth inclusion. “If you want to reach the next generation, you must speak their language,” he explained.
That language includes visual storytelling, social media, street fashion, and performance.
“My son walked the runway, and so did his friends. Suddenly, wearing traditional outfits wasn’t old-school—it was iconic.”
Lai Labode believes this blend of past and present is the secret to preserving culture. “Preservation doesn’t mean stagnation. We are preserving the spirit of Egba culture, not just the practices. Our ancestors were innovative. We are honouring them by doing the same.”
The cultural heritage doesn’t stop at fashion. Egbaliganza includes plans to build domes and modern monuments in Abeokuta, celebrating the lives of heroes like MKO Abiola, Olusegun Obasanjo, and many others. “And not just those who’ve passed,” Lai Labode added. “We want to honour living legends too. That’s how you inspire future greatness.”
The initiative also engages the private sector and traditional leaders. “We’re not waiting for the government alone,” he said. “We’ve built a coalition of elders, chiefs, designers, historians, and business professionals—at home and abroad. People like Chief Yemi Lawal, Princess Enitan Adegbite, and returning Egba diaspora members played huge roles.”
The backstory of Egbaliganza is as powerful as its public display. Lai Labode revealed that the turning point came during a visit to the palace, where Kabiyesi Alake shared a story about a young woman who escaped a forced marriage by running to a sacred Egba sanctuary. “That woman was my grandmother,” he said. “That day, I knew this wasn’t just about pride. It was a spiritual calling.”
Lai Labode’s plans extend to a continental ambition. “Africa only owns 1.2% of the global fashion economy. That’s unacceptable,” he said. “We have the textiles, the talent, the stories. We must own more of the industry we inspired.”
Egbaliganza will host the African Fashion and Heritage Conference in 2026, inviting creatives, presidents, and cultural leaders from around the world to make that happen. “We’ve reached out to President Ruto. We want to see African leaders dressed like Africa—not just talk about it.”
For Lai Labode, authentic leadership means showing others the way. “We’re sharing our playbook. We call it the move from Egbaliganza to Afroliganza,” he said. “We want the Ijebus, the Benins, the Hausas, the Igbos to create their versions. We will support them—because the rise of one culture should spark the rise of many.”
On the economic side, Lai Labode is clear-eyed. “We want to build a billion-dollar fashion economy, including our artisans, weavers, and coral makers. They must not be left behind.”
And what about the skeptics who accuse Egbaliganza of being ‘too flamboyant’? Lai Labode chuckles. “Our history was flamboyant. Sango wore skirts. We braided our kings’ hair. We were bold, spiritual, fearless. What’s wrong with reclaiming that with pride?”
Ultimately, Chief Lai Labode hopes his work will outlive him. “I want history to say we responded to the call of our ancestors. That we didn’t just protect culture, we pushed it forward,” he said.
“That we inspired the world to look to Africa not with pity, but with admiration.”
With its mix of modern fashion, historical storytelling, youth inclusion, and community upliftment, Egbaliganza proves that tradition and ambition don’t have to compete. When they come together, they can lead an entire continent into a new era of pride and power.
“Egbaliganza is our offering to the future,” Lai Labode concludes. “Let it be known that we didn’t wait for change, we became it.”
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