Èkímògún Leicester Launches in the UK, Bringing Ondo Diaspora Together to Celebrate Heritage and Build a Stronger Future

A new community initiative aimed at connecting and empowering people of Ondo descent in the United Kingdom has been launched in Leicester, opening a new platform for cultural connection, professional networking and community development.

Èkímògún Leicester was officially unveiled on August 29, 2026, under the theme “Our Roots. Our People. Our Future.” The launch brought together professionals, community leaders, business figures, friends and well-wishers for a celebration of Ondo heritage while also creating space for discussions about the future of the diaspora and its relationship with communities back home in Nigeria.

The initiative was founded by Dr Oluseyi Ogunfusika, working alongside Aretha Oluwaremilekun Akinluyi, CEO of Aree Events and Stieklan Group, and Ayokunlemi Ambrose. The organisers say Èkímògún Leicester is designed to go beyond social gatherings by creating a structured community focused on belonging, mentorship, professional opportunities, health and wellbeing, volunteering and wider community development.

The launch also attracted civic recognition, with Councillor Kulwinder Singh Johal, the Lord Mayor of Leicester for 2026–27, attending as the Special Civic Guest. Leicester City Council confirms that Councillor Johal became the city’s first citizen in May 2026 and has served as a councillor for Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields since 2015. His presence at the event reflected the initiative’s connection not only to the Ondo community but also to the wider Leicester community.

A major feature of the celebration was the inaugural Èkímògún Excellence Awards, which recognised individuals for their achievements and contributions to the Ondo community. Among those honoured were businessman and philanthropist Dr Tola Awosika, Dr Michael Akintomide Ajilo, and Hon. Moyinoluwa Ogunwumiju, a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Ondo West Constituency 1. The awards placed emphasis on achievement, leadership, service and the importance of giving back to the community.

The event also featured the Èkímògún Roundtable Dialogue, where participants discussed leadership, mentorship, professional networking and opportunities for the Ondo diaspora. A recurring focus was how people living abroad can use their experience, skills, international networks and resources to create opportunities and contribute to development in Ondo State.

That emphasis on diaspora engagement gives the initiative a broader development dimension. Beyond preserving cultural identity, the platform aims to encourage connections that can support entrepreneurship, investment, knowledge-sharing, mentorship and partnerships between Ondo people in the UK and communities in Nigeria. Recent coverage of the launch has similarly highlighted the organisers’ ambition to move diaspora participation beyond family support and towards more structured economic and professional collaboration.

The launch therefore marked the beginning of what its organisers describe as a longer-term community vision: creating stronger bonds among Ondo people in the UK while turning shared heritage into practical opportunities for members and meaningful contributions to the development of their homeland. With its message of “Our Roots. Our People. Our Future,” Èkímògún Leicester is positioning itself as a platform where culture, professional networks, mentorship and community service can come together.