By Maryam Diallo Dakar
The Yoruba Community in Kaduna State has announced plans to hold a three-day Youth Cultural Festival from December 3 to 5, 2026, featuring a unity rally, free medical outreach and cultural exhibition.
The festival, organised by the Yoruba Community Youth Wing, is aimed at promoting unity, preserving Yoruba heritage and strengthening relationships with other ethnic groups in the state.
Addressing journalists on Friday, the Yoruba Youth Coordinator in Kaduna State, Prince Segun Teniola, said the programme was designed to give back to society through humanitarian activities and cultural promotion.
He explained that the youth wing comprises representatives of Yoruba communities across the 23 local government areas of the state, adding that its members had been involved in various humanitarian and educational interventions.
According to him, some of the initiatives include the distribution of exercise books, school uniforms, shoes and bags to pupils in Kakuri-Makera and other communities.
Teniola said the first activity would be a unity rally on December 3 to sensitise residents about the festival and promote peaceful coexistence.
He said the second day, December 4, would feature a free medical outreach at the Yoruba Community Secretariat on Kano Road by Abeokuta Street, Kaduna, beginning at 9am.
He explained that the exercise would provide free medical consultations, tests, drugs and professional health advice to members of the public, irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.
The coordinator added that the outreach would cover common illnesses, including malaria and typhoid, among others. “We are inviting the general public to benefit from the exercise. It is not restricted to Yoruba people, as other ethnic groups in State are welcome.
“We believe it is time for us to give back to the society what the society has given to us,” he said.
Teniola said the grand finale on December 5 would take place at Arewa House, Kaduna, by 10am, featuring cultural displays to showcase Yoruba traditions, values and heritage.
He noted that many Yoruba residents who had spent several years in Northern Nigeria were gradually losing touch with their cultural identity, stressing that the festival would provide an opportunity for younger generations to reconnect with their roots.
He also invited Governor Uba Sani, members of the National Assembly, state lawmakers and other dignitaries to attend the event.
The coordinator commended the governor for what he described as his inclusive leadership and efforts to promote development and peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups in Kaduna State.
He said the Yoruba Community was encouraged by the administration’s commitment to bridging ethnic divisions and tackling insecurity. “We are not necessarily affiliated with any political party, but whenever a government does something commendable, we must appreciate it.
“We assure the governor that the Yoruba Community across the state will continue to support his efforts towards peace and development,” he said.
Teniola, however, appealed to the state government, philanthropists and other well-meaning individuals to support the festival financially and materially to enable the organisers to reach more people.
He disclosed that the organisers were targeting about 2,000 beneficiaries for the medical outreach.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Yoruba Youth Wing in Kaduna State, Chief Isyaka Shittu Dayo, said the community had continued to implement youth empowerment and educational programmes despite limited external support.
He said the initiatives included vocational training for youths, with participants receiving starter packs after their training to enable them to establish businesses and become self-reliant.
Dayo added that the association had also supported schools with educational materials through its various branches.
He cited recent empowerment activities in Kawo and other communities, including Kabala West, as examples of the group’s interventions.
The vice chairman appealed to the state government and philanthropists to support the community, saying such assistance would enable it to expand its humanitarian and empowerment programmes.
“The Yoruba Community is well organised, and our youths are coordinated and willing to contribute positively to society.
“With support from the government and philanthropists, we can achieve much more,” he said.
