The TwinFest Africana community made a remarkable impression at the maiden edition of the Lagos Gele Festival, joining other cultural stakeholders, dignitaries and members of the Diplomatic Corps to celebrate the beauty, elegance and heritage of the traditional Yoruba headtie.
The festival which had the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwoolu as Guest Of Honour, held on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Eko Amore Garden, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, provided an exciting platform for the promotion of indigenous culture, creative enterprise and tourism. As stakeholders in the tourism sector and partners of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the TwinFest Africana community participated actively in support of the Lagos State Government’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage and promote Lagos as a leading cultural tourism destination.
Led by its Directors, Ms. Tai Salvador and Mr. Akinkunmi Bello, the TwinFest Africana delegation added colour and glamour to the celebration, appearing in beautiful gele headties and sharing the occasion with members of the Diplomatic Corps and other distinguished guests.
The community also enjoyed memorable interactions and quality engagement with notable personalities and celebrities, including Mr. Lekan Fabilola, producer of the popular Yoruba television programme Masoyinbo, as well as the producers of the renowned cultural television programme Goge Africa. These engagements provided valuable opportunities for cultural exchange, networking and the promotion of TwinFest Africana’s vision.
The community expressed particular appreciation to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Idris Aregbe, for extending a special invitation to TwinFest Africana. His continued encouragement, goodwill and support for the community and its forthcoming festival were warmly acknowledged. His commitment to creating platforms that celebrate indigenous culture and promote tourism was also commended.
The TwinFest Africana community’s participation went beyond attendance, as members used the occasion to publicise the forthcoming TwinFest Africana 2026, distributing promotional flyers and displaying event banners to sensitise guests and the general public about the festival scheduled for December 12, 2026.
Speaking with the press on the sidelines of the festival, the Oshigbo Twins applauded the Lagos State Government, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Hon. Idris Aregbe for organising a colourful and well-coordinated cultural event. They described the Lagos Gele Festival as a commendable initiative that celebrates identity, empowers traditional artisans and strengthens the visibility of indigenous culture.
The twins also used the opportunity to invite members of the public, cultural enthusiasts, families and especially twins, triplets and multiple-birth families to attend TwinFest Africana 2026 and be part of the celebration.
Scheduled for Saturday, December 12, 2026, at the Youth Centre, Chapel of the Light, Alausa Secretariat, Lagos, TwinFest Africana 2026 is themed “Twin Heritage: Celebrating Africa’s Rich Culture, Unity and Diversity.” The festival championed by it’s Convener, Engr Bola Babarinde and in it’s third edition will bring together twins, triplets, families, cultural organisations, tourism stakeholders and the general public for a memorable celebration featuring cultural performances, a grand twins parade, entertainment, exhibitions and other engaging activities.
The TwinFest Africana community’s presence at the Lagos Gele Festival further reinforces its commitment to building strategic relationships with cultural institutions, government agencies and tourism stakeholders while promoting African heritage and creating greater visibility for Lagos as a destination for cultural celebrations.
For the TwinFest Africana community, the Lagos Gele Festival was not merely an occasion to celebrate the beauty of gele, but also an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, promote cultural identity and advance the shared vision of making Lagos a vibrant hub for cultural tourism.