Speaking at the festival, Sowore described the Kiribo Road Race as a symbolic and historic event, noting that it is the first marathon race held anywhere in the world on January 1 each year.
The Sowore Foundation, established by human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has awarded scholarships to 250 students studying Medicine, Nursing, Law and other disciplines.
Meanwhile, alongside vulnerable members of society, the organisation participated in activities marking the 2026 edition of its annual #ComeToKiribo Festival, held on January 1, 2026, in Kiribo, Ondo State.
The event, which has grown into a major annual gathering blending education, culture, sports and community empowerment, attracted participants from across Nigeria as well as neighbouring West African countries, including Ghana and the Republic of Benin, further cementing Kiribo’s emergence as a grassroots hub of intellectual and athletic engagement.
Speaking at the festival, Sowore described the Kiribo Road Race as a symbolic and historic event, noting that it is the first marathon race held anywhere in the world on January 1 each year.
“Today is Kiribo road race. This is the first marathon race in the world on January 1st, and it is powered by the Sowore Foundation. You can see runners from all over Nigeria and the world. I even heard that some Ghanaians are here,” Sowore said.
According to him, the road race and other sporting activities are designed to awaken community consciousness around health, fitness and collective responsibility, while also sending a strong message to government authorities.
“It is just to awaken the spirit of the community, to ensure fitness as we usher ourselves into the new year with good health. And to also let the government know that where they failed, we succeed,” he stated.
The 2026 festival marked 21 years since the death of Mr. David Omoremilekun Sowore, father of Omoyele Sowore, whose life of discipline, education and community service inspired the establishment of the Sowore Foundation.
The family returned once again to Kiribo to honour his legacy, a tradition that has become an annual fixture since his passing in 2005.
Speaking about his late father, Sowore described him as an extraordinary man who combined fatherhood, teaching and grassroots organising in a way that shaped countless lives.
“In the last 20 years, we have set aside this day to make sure that nothing else is done in Kiribo except to honour the Sowore Foundation, which we started when my father passed away in 2005 right here at the Methodist Church,” he said.
Highlighting the expansion of the scholarship scheme, Sowore announced a significant increase in beneficiaries for the 2026 edition.
“This year, we have increased the number of people getting scholarships to 200. Last year it was 100. This year, courtesy of the kind of anonymous support we have been getting, we have increased it to 200. Our priority will go to people studying Medicine first, and those studying Nursing are also top priority,” he explained.
He added that Law students were deliberately included this year, citing personal experience.
“This year, I also took licence in my state to add lawyers to it. I have benefited a lot from lawyers. So if you are studying Law, you are going to get some additional benefits, because my life always depends on lawyers,” Sowore said.
The human rights activist emphasised that the Foundation’s vision goes beyond supporting only students in tertiary institutions.
“I will continue to encourage others. I have always said that nobody should see it as Sowore Foundation alone. It is everybody’s foundation. If you want to set up your own foundation, let us have foundations that can support these young ones who want to make something out of their lives,” he said.
“The foundation does not focus only on people who go to school. We also assist those who may not have gone to school because special circumstances stood in the way of their lives. The support is all-round support.”
Sowore recalled how his father raised nearly 20 children, turning his home into a learning centre grounded in discipline, curiosity and academic excellence.
A committed Awoist, David Omoremilekun Sowore held an unshakable belief in free and compulsory education, a principle he lived by until his death.
In honour of that conviction, the Sowore Foundation’s scholarship programme was created in his memory. What began as a local initiative in Kiribo has since expanded to benefit students across Nigeria and beyond, reinforcing the Foundation’s belief that education remains the most powerful tool for social transformation.
Over the years, the Foundation has remained focused on community empowerment, youth development, sports, cultural preservation, social justice and educational support. These values were fully on display at the 2026 festival.
This year’s edition recorded a major milestone with international participation, as athletes and guests arrived from Ghana and the Republic of Benin for the first time.
Sowore described Kiribo as a village of big dreams, now firmly positioned on the global map through consistent grassroots investment.
In total, the Foundation awarded 250 scholarships across diverse fields of study, empowered 21 artisans with financial and material support, assisted 24 persons living with special needs, and disbursed over ₦20 million in cash prizes.
Academic competitions including debate, quiz and dictation saw outstanding participants rewarded with high-value tablets and cash prizes, while consolation awards were given to encourage broader participation.
Sporting activities formed the energetic backbone of the festival.
The main road races, open to both male and female athletes, featured prize money ranging from ₦1 million for first place to consolation rewards for other top finishers.
Additional events included 5-kilometre races, swimming competitions, boat rowing, regatta displays, and fun runs for juniors and seniors, ensuring inclusiveness across age groups and physical abilities.