•List of The 50 Age Grade Groups That Will Miss The Festival
Recall that CityPeople Magazine was the first to reveal that the 2020 Ojude Oba may not hold the way it did last year. A few weeks back, we revealed that the organisers were considering a VIRTUAL Ojude Oba, with Glo being the main sponsor. It was seen as Plan B which involved using Technology to drive the festival if COVID-19 won’t allow physical congregation. As of early June, the Ojude Oba Planning Committee was monitoring development and planing assiduously to cope with the details of the present or emerging scenario. The technical details were being worked out until the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona having consulted widely, decided to cancel the 2020 Ojude Oba.
Apart from all the Ijebu in the diaspora who would have flown into Nigeria, those who will miss this year’s event are the 50 Age Grade groups.
Not many people know that there are 50 Ijebu age-grade groups that have already been planning to celebrate this year’s Ojude Oba. They took part in the 2019 Ojude-Oba Festival held at the Awujales Pavilion, opposite the palace in Ijebu-Ode.
Over the years, the number of the age-grade groups keeps increasing. What usually happens is that just before the Ojude-Oba holds each year, Ijebu indigenes who seek to form a new Egbe will approach Awujale’s palace to apply for registration. They would be given the guidelines as to what to do and the financial implications involved. Once all these are met, approval will be given by the Awujale and members of the new groups will meet Oba Sikiru Adetona, formally to get his blessings. That is simply the rite of passage.
Last year 2019, no new age-grade group was registered. So it was the existing age-grade groups that came out one after the other at Awujales Pavilion, opposite Awujale’s palace to pay homage to him, via a march past. The concept of Ojude-Oba Festival is simply a day set aside (the 3rd day after Ileya) for all the age-grade groups to gather at the palace to pay homage to the Awujale. Its an age-long tradition.
All the age-grade groups are expected to wear colourful outfits on the D-day, to add Glitz and Glamour to each years Ojude-Oba.
Lets quickly tell you more about the 50 age-grade groups that came out at the last Ojude Oba to greet the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in other of seniority.
The oldest age-grade group is Egbe Mafowoku Ijebu, popularly called Egbe Oba because that is the age-grade group that the Awujale belongs to. He is the Baba Egbe.
The Giwa is late Oba Shafi Sule of Odonselu. He passed on several months back. So, the seat of Giwa is vacant. The group is made up of about 8 old men who are in their mid-80s. The Awujale, HRM Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona is 85. That is the age range of the members of Mafowoku Ijebu. They were more than this number of members before now, but many members have since died. Because of old age, they didn’t take part in the march past.
Next is Egbe Olugbadebo Okunrin of Ijebu. They are all in their early 80s. Many of them have aged. Their Baba Egbe is late Chief Dr. Bayo Kuku.
Their Giwa is Alhaji M.A. Odutayo, the Chairman of the Regberegbe Council.
They also did not take part in the march past. Egbe Mafowoku (Awujale’s Age Grade) and Egbe Olugbadebo were granted the privilege of staying within the Royal Pavillion because their members are over 80 years old and it might be difficult for them to ascend and descend the gangway/stair ways. The 3rd group is also Egbe Olugbadebo Obinrin (Elites) with late Iyalode Bola Onabanjo as the Iyalode. The 4th age grade is Egbe Bobayo Okunrin with Giwa Dhikrullah Bosun Oke as the Giwa and Otunba Subomi Balogun as Baba Egbe. The 5th is Egbe Bobayo Obinrin. It has Iyalode Tamu Dapo Owodunni as head. Next is Egbe Bobagbuyi Okunrin. It has Giwa M.A. Oreagba as leader. That is the 6th.
The 7th is Egbe Bobagbuyi Obinrin with Iyalode Bukky Ogun in-charge. The 8th is Egbe Obaleke Okunrin. It has Otunba Busura Alebiosu as Baba Egbe. The Giwa is Giwa Ope Surakat. The 9th is Egbe Obaleke Obinrin. Iyalode Iyabo Odunmolorun Omotayo is the head. The 10th age grade group is Egbe Bobajolu Okunrin with Giwa Wale Alli-Oke as head.
The 11th group is Egbe Bobajolu Obinrin (Original). The Baba Egbe is late Allison. The Iya Egbe is Alhaja (Chief) Mrs. Sekinat Adedotun Bamiro and Iyalode Oyinade Adekoya is the Iyalode.
The 12th groups is Egbe Bobajolu Obinrin (Basiri). The Baba Egbe is late Chief E.O. Badero. The Iya Egbe is late Alhaja Ganiat Osifodunrin. The Iyalode Yemi Balogun leads the group.
The 13th is Egbe Obafuwaji Okunrin, Dr. Sunny Kuku is the Baba Egbe. Giwa Supo Mosuro leads. The 14th group is Egbe Obafuwaji Obinrin with Iyalode Busurat Ogunneye as leader. The 15th group is another faction of Egbe Obafuwaji called Obafuwaji Obinrin (Adedoyin). It has Olorogun Chief Sunny Kuku as Baba Egbe. Mrs. Adedoyin Ayanbadejo is Iya Egbe. Iyalode Toun Ayanbadejo is the Iyalode.
The 16th is Egbe Bobagbimo Okunrin. Ambassador Emmanuel Olufemi Fowora is the Baba Egbe, whilst Chief (Mrs.) Olabisi Ayinke Akindele is the Iya Egbe. Giwa Deji Osibogun is the leader of the group. There are 3 Egbe Bobagbimo Okunrin. The second one is Egbe Bobagbimo Okunrin is called Egbe Bobagbimo Okunrin (Asiwaju). The Baba Egbe is Kabiyeesi Oba Munirudeen Adeposi Bashorun. The Iya Egbe is Alhaja Adijat Kuburat Adebisi Edionsiri (alias Cash Madam). The Giwa is Giwa Kolawole Shaib Ogungbo.
That is the 17th age grade group. The 18th age grade group is Egbe Bobagbimo Obinrin with Iyalode Kike Odutayo as leader. The 19th group is Egbe Bobakeye Okunrin Akile Ijebu. It has Chief Chris Olufunmilola Okunnowo as Baba Egbe. The Iya Egbe is Chief (Mrs.) Yemisi Oshundeko. The Giwa Egbe is Giwa Biodun Onanuga.
The 20th age grade group is Egbe Bobakeye Obinrin (Surakat). The Baba Egbe is Otunba (Engr.) Fatai Arowolo. The Iya Egbe is Chief Alhaja Risikatu Omolabake Surakatu. The Iyalode is Matilda Lara Oduekun.
The 21st age-grade group is Egbe Bobakeye Obinrin (Double T) which has Chief Chris Okunowo as Baba Egbe and Chief Mrs. Toyin Ayanbadejo as Iya Egbe. The Iyalode is Toyin Oduwole.
The 22nd is Egbe Bobagunte (Okunrin). The Baba Egbe is Omoba Abimbola and the Giwa is Giwa Adesanya Yusuf. The 23rd group is Egbe Bobagunte Obinrin (Omooba). Otunba Engr. Fatai Arowolo is Baba Egbe. The Iya Egbe is Alhaja Chief Olayinka Abimbola. The Iyalode is Iyalode Korede Alatishe.
Then, there is Egbe Bobagunte Okunrin (Asiwaju) that has Otunba Alex Onabanjo as Baba Egbe and Princess Ibilola Solaja as Iya Egbe. Giwa Niyi Osoba runs the group. That is the 24th age-grade group.
Egbe Bobagunte Obinrin (Gold) is No 25. It has Sir Adebukola Kesington Adebutu as Baba Egbe. The Iya Egbe is Chief Mrs. Bisi Edionseri (alias Cash Madam). The Iyalode is Toyin Aberuagba.
No 26 is Egbe Bobagunte Obinrin (Olu-Iwa). It has Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye as Baba Egbe and Chief Mrs. Hilda Funmilayo Alebiosu as Iya Egbe. The Iyalode is Abiola Okunowo.
The 27th age grade group is Egbe Gbobaniyi. There are about 4 Egbe Gbobaniyi’s. One is Egbe Gbobaniyi Okunrin that has Otunba Sedun Odumade Kazeem as Baba Egbe and Alhaja Risikatu Omolabake Surakat as Iya Egbe. The Giwa is Tunde Ashiru.
The 28th is Egbe Gbobaniyi Obinrin (Asiwaju). It has Engr. Kunle Ogunade as Baba Egbe. The Iya Egbe is Princess Khadijat Kuburat Adebisi Edionseri.
The Iyalode is Iyalode Adebukonla Osibanjo. The 29th age grade is called Egbe Gbobaniyi Obinrin (Olori/Olori). Alhaji Ademola Surakat is Baba Egbe. The Iya Egbe is Alhaja (Olori) Taibat Adetona. The Iyalode is Iyalode Yemisi Fashawe.
Egbe Gbobaniyi Okunrin Asiwaju is the 30th age grade. The Baba Egbe is Otunba Busari Alebiosu. The Iya Egbe is Chief Mrs. Faidat Ayodele. The Giwa is Giwa Mufutau Oseni.
How about Egbe Jagunmolu Obinrin (Original)? It is No 31 on the list.
It has Chief Duro Onabule as Baba Egbe. The Iya Egbe is Olori Alhaja Risikat Adams. The Iyalode is Risikat Akinsanya.
No 32 is Egbe Jagunmolu Obinrin (Stainless). The Baba Egbe is Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The Iyalode is Alhaja Iyalode Busurat Ogunneye. The head of the group is Iyalode Hamdalat Sanni.
No 33 is Egbe Jagunmolu Okunrin (Fehintade). The Baba Egbe is Kabiyesi Onafuwa (Oba Oliworo) The Iya Egbe is Mr. Yemi Balogun. The Giwa is Giwa Adewale Abdul.
No 34 is Egbe Jagunmolu Okunrin Akile Ijebu.
Dr. Adetunji Oredipe Mayederun is the Baba Egbe. Cheif Mrs. Ibironke Olowu is the Iya Egbe. Giwa Kayode Abdul is the Giwa.
There is also Egbe Jagunmolu Okunrin (Asiwaju). It is the No. 35 age grade group. Asiwaju Bamidele Ogunbowale is the Baba Egbe. The Iya Egbe is Iyalode Toyin Idris Oluwole. The Giwa is Fatai Salami.
There is also Egbe Arobayo Okunrin. The Baba Egbe is Dolapo Balogun. The Iya Egbe is Omolara Oduekun. The Giwa Dare Muritala. That is No 36 age-grade group.
The next is No 37. It is Egbe Arobayo Obinrin. Otunba Fowosere is the Baba Egbe. The Iya Egbe is Otunba Sade Adesoye, the Giwa is Iyalode Taiwo Odumosu.
No 38 is Egbe Arobayo Obinrin (Larontex) The Baba Egbe is Mayegun Olamilekan Lawanson. The Iya Egbe is Chief Dr. Ronke Carew. The Iyalode is Iyalode Abisola Abatan. No 39 is Egbe Arobayo Okunrin (Asiwaju). The Baba Egbe is Otunba Micheal Abayomi Ogunnusi. The Iya Egbe is Alhaji Kudirat Abike Kikelomo Adeyemi The Giwa is Giwa Hammed Egbe (Elerunwon).
No 40 is Egbe Tobalase Obinrin. Otunba Adegboyega Shoye is Baba Egbe. Chief Mrs. Iyabo Busura Alebiosu is Iya Egbe, Giwa Abiola Azeez Alausa is the leader.
No 41 is Egbe Tobalase Obinrin. Akile. Demola Shabi is the Baba Egbe. Eta Iyalode Tolani Lawal is Iya Egbe, Iyalode Kuforiji Adeyemi Bolanle is the leader.
No 42 is Tobalase Obinrin (Obalofin). Otunba Obalofin Gbenga Daniel is Baba Egbe. Iyalode Yemisi Fashawe, Iyalode Folashade Kasali is leader.
No 43 is Egbe Tobalase Obinrin (Rontex). Otunba Abayomi Odunnowo is Baba Egbe and Otunba Ronke Carew is Iya Egbe. Iyalode Olayinka Momodu is leader.
No 44 is Egbe Bobamayegun Obinrin (Aremo Alara) Mrs. Gbodimowo Yetunde is Iya Egbe. Iyalode Kuburat Aregbe is leader.
No 45 is Egbe Bobamayegun Obinrin (Asiwaju). Iyalode Oluwakemi Popoola Ango is the leader.
No 46 is Egbe Bobamayegun Okunrin. Chief Gbenga Fetuga is Baba Egbe. Chief Mrs. Ibironke Ogundimu is (Iya Egbe) and Giwa Adeyemi Kazeem is leader.
No 47 is Egbe Bobamayegun Okunrin (Asiwaju) Otunba Barr. O. Okenla is (Baba Egbe). Giwa Dipo Ogunlana is the leader.
No 48 is Egbe Bobamayegun (Diamond) Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu Kessington is Baba Egbe. Alhaja Yetunde Teriba is Iya Egbe. Iyalode Islamiat Sowami is leader.
No 49 is Egbe Obayori Okunrin (Akile) Asiwaju Taiwo Adeniji is Baba Egbe. Mrs. Mosunmola Kayode is Iya Egbe. Giwa Adebayo Oshikomaiya leader.
No 50 is Egbe Obayori Okunrin (Kuye). Hon. Ademorin Kuye is Baba Egbe. Chief Mrs. Moronkeji Atoyegbe is Iya Egbe. Giwa Suraju Lasisi is the Giwa.
READ ALSO: PLEASE, DON’T JOKE WITH YOUR DREAMS – PASTOR WOLE OLADIYUN REVEALS 21 DREAM FACTS
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
