Those who have been observing the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode, for years? would have noticed that late Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, CON, the Otunba Tunwase, The Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijebu, The Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians & The Olori Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu had never missed the Ojude Oba for as long as one can remember. Until he passed on last Friday, he was a permanent fixture at the annual event. He would arrive in his glittering white Roll Royce with the plate number OLORI OMOOBA.
Despite being an all-around billionaire and entrepreneur with global exposure, Otunba Subomi had never missed Ojude Oba Festival. Even when he is out of the country, he would ensure that he came back to Nigeria just to observe the festival.
In this interview with City People, Otunba Subomi Balogun spoke about how all true born Ijebu blood should not miss the festival for anything and how it has remained the unifying force for Ijebu Ode indigenes for over 60 years.
“I must say much as we are looking forward to it, maybe the crowd overwhelmed the organisers because Ojude Oba is something that is internationally recognized and looked forward to. Before the rain started, things were not as in order as it were supposed to be, but I am sure the people concerned are aware of it also. By the time they come next year, we’ll see an improvement. Maybe its because of the two-year gap which affected people physically and also psychologically, and mentally too. But the vibrant mood associated with Ojude Oba, I didn’t see it”.
“Every Ijebu person is always proud of the Ojude Oba event, and we all look forward to it. And I think what will amaze me is that wherever we are we all make sure we show up. First of all, to come and pay homage to our royal father, the Ijebus hold our royal father very dearly. But somewhere along the line, things didn’t go the way it used to go. So I hope when we are back next year, I will see something better.
You mentioned that you did not get the vibe of the Ojude Oba this year as it used to be, how do you mean?
You see in those days, even two years ago, by 9 O’clock, the place would have been vibrating. I came in at 9’Oclock, and there weren’t many activities until about noon. Maybe it’s because our royal fathers have not arrived but invariably you will see people gather and dancing on the way in. I will probably call it lethargy, because we haven’t done it for two years, and the Ijebus are very resourceful. I am one of them, I am an Ijebu to the core. I would mention it in the right places because I am sure, by next year you will see the vibrant Ojude Oba. It is an event which is so universally expected. It’s a symbol of the Ijebu organization of themselves and it is a pride to any Ijebu to participate.
We are indeed promoting a Culture which is unique. I mean, I was there; a senior citizen, I’m part of royalty, I’m the Olori Omoba of Ijebu, but I’m also part of the Balogun. Normally you would see me when the Baloguns are coming, that something will just vibrate in me. My body will be swinging and I will feel like joining in the music.
I also believe that the rain disrupted so suddenly and unexpectedly, but if you think of what has been happening in a few days before, I am not surprised. But I’m sure by next year, the Ijebus will get back their groove. Ojude Oba is something we are very proud of. Anywhere I am at that time, I will come home. Not only to pay homage to our royal father but also to show that I am proud of the heritage of the Ijebus, as I said its an occasion to pay homage. Who are the people paying homage? More than the Regberegbes, the Baloguns. I now happen to come from the Balogun Odunuga province. My own ancestor, my great grandfather between 1923 and 1925, was Balogun. You know the Kukus and the Odunugas are from the same slot; the Boroguns.
Do you know the meaning of Borogun?
No sir…
“Bowo ba re gun, Laa se so. It means when you have a lot of money, you can show off opulence and style and fashion. Siwo siwo laa s’owo, meaning you will work hard. Maybe I am one of the very proud Ijebus that the Ojude Oba means so much to, look around today and very few of my age mates can be seen.
Sir. The long reign of Awujale..
(Cuts in)..he’s the longest. He’s been on the throne for 62 years. The longest, so far in Nigeria.
Okay. What is the succession pattern in Ijebu?
There is already an accepted mode of having an Awujale. There are 4 ruling houses. But I think it’s a little bit premature to be talking about his successor at this time. Awujale and I are about the same age, and we are still very agile and strong. But I don’t think there should be an issue about his successor. We have 4 ruling houses and everybody knows the ruling houses.
The whole thing is so well structured that when anything happens; in the first three months, nobody dares talk of anything about succession. It will all be rituals.
Secondly, there are age-long traditions about royalty in Ijebu, very formalized. Any small boy in Ijebu who is familiar with the tradition will tell you whose turn is it to succeed the current Awujale.
FCMB and Ojude Oba, what is the strategic relevance of Ojude Oba to FCMB
That’s interesting. The first group of people involved in the Ojude Oba is the Oba, Royalty then the people, especially the Baloguns, I now happen to be both. My father is from one of the prominent Balogun families. My mother is from a royal family. So, anywhere you swing, you will find me being active. So why should FCMB be so interested It is only natural that God gave me FCMB. It’s an international institution and the only way we can show appreciation to the founders or the progenitors is to preserve history which the Ijebus hold dearly. It started with the Awujale being benevolent and doing what his people require, and at this annual event, his people come out, both Muslims and Christians to pay homage and show appreciation.
It started during the reign of my own ancestor, Oba Adesimbo Tunwase. He was the Oba who received the British colonialists and allowed the British Christians to come and preach about their God. But before then, he also allowed the Muslim originators to come. So, it is an event of going to thank the Oba for his benevolence. Even though the Muslims started it, the Christians later joined in the event. Although the Baloguns were originally Muslims, the Christians also have Balogun in their family. It’s part of some uniqueness in Ijebu, there is no Ijebu person who doesn’t have an intermixture of these two religions. So it is an occasion for the Ijebus to come and pay homage to their royal father and also to show appreciation.
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