Details of this year’s Ojude Oba in Ijebu Ode

written by City People July 1, 2022

Festival Committee Reveals Details

Be the first to know that this year Ojude-Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode will hold on Monday, 11th, July 2022, two days after the Eid-el-Adha, that is Ileya.

This was revealed by the Ojude-Oba Festival Committee Members at a Press Conference heralding the 2022 Ojude Oba Festival, held at The Heritage Hall, inside Awujale’s Palace in Ijebu-Ode on Friday 1st July 2022.

“On behalf of Kabiyesi Alaiyeluwa, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR. J.P., Ogbagba II, Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, the Ojude Oba Festival Committee and the good people of Ijebu, we heartily welcome you to the 2022 Ojude Oba festival’s Press Conference. We give thanks to God Almighty for keeping us alive, hale and hearty to witness today’s event and for granting everyone journey mercies to the venue”.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

“As you are most probably aware, the Annual Ojude Oba Festival, is a very spectacular celebration of the Ijebu of South West Nigeria, which took its origin in Islam, but it is now being celebrated by all and sundry, that is, Muslims, Christians, Traditionalists and Non–Believers.

This age-long cultural heritage of the Ijebu has been in existence for about centuries. The annually celebrated Ojude Oba Festival is indeed a classic example and manifestation of religious tolerance in Ijebuland.

History has it that upon the advent of Islam in Ijebuland, the reigning monarch prevailed on his subjects to give those professing the new religion (Islam) the latitude to operate according to the dictates of their belief. In other worlds, there should be neither war nor rancour in religious matters. Basking on this clement environment, the emerging Islamic Community after observing the Eid-el-Adha, which included the exchange of gifts and the slaughtering of the sacrificial rams came out on the third day to pay homage to the reigning monarch and to thank him for his

kindness, accommodation and the religious liberty he gave them. As time went by, this tradition metamorphosed into what is now known as Ojude Oba Festival and has been embraced not only by Ijebu at home and in the Diaspora, but also by millions of people within and outside Nigeria.

The festival is, indeed, the gift of the Ijebu Nation to Nigeria and the rest of the world being a unique case study in religious tolerance, co-existence and harmony.

The reigning monarch, Alaiyeluwa, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who was crowned on April 2, 1960 has succeeded in making the festival a Global Brand. The Festival is not only all about equestrian display by the families of warriors who defended the Ijebu nation in the years of yore against any military expenditure and or war, parade of culture and tradition, merry making and funfair. It also provides the Ijebu people and vistors, and their well-wishers the opportunity to supplicate to the Almighty God, take stock of their activities, embark on self-help projects, and reunite with family members and acquaintances. In addition, this festival boosts commerce and trade in its entirety, as commercial and trading activities are at their peak before, during and after the festival. The Festival touches every sphere of life in Ijebuland. All the facilities (hotels, restaurants, etc.), artisans, craftsmen, transporters, professionals, market men and women, among others are fully occupied before, and during the festival.

The grand finale of the 2022 edition is calculated to hold on Monday, July 11, 2022, that is, two days after the Eid-el-Adha, that is, Ileya”.

THEME OF 2022 EDITION

“The theme chosen for the 2022 edition of the festival after a robust discussion is “THE RETURN OF THE OJUDE OBA”. The theme was borne out of the inability of the Festival to hold for two consecutive years, that is, in 2020 and 2021 due to the prevalence of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, which held the entire world hostage as all social and economic activities were

severely affected, hence the prohibition of mass gathering in all public places. The impressive management of the pandemic by the three tiers of government (Federal, State and Local) has culminated in the lifting of the ban on social gatherings by the government, although it is not yet Uhuru (complete freedom from the scourge), hence we are now afforded the opportunity to commence the hosting of the annual festival. The choice of the 2022 Theme: THE RETURN OF THE OJUDE OBA FESTIVAL is, therefore, apt and relevant. This year’s edition, after two years of the festival being in limbo is indeed a GRAND RETURN OF OJUDE OBA, Glory be to God Almighty”.

THE AGE GRADES (REGBEREGBE) ON PARADE

“In the pre-colonial era, the Age Grade system was the focal of development and socialisation in Ijebuland. The Age Grade System of Ijebuland has now been rejuvenated, rebranded and internationalised in the last four decades under the leadership of Oba (Dr.) S. K. Adetona, CFR,

J.P. Ogbagba II, Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland. This year, about 58 male and female Age Grades will be on parade. The first position in each category is awarded a gold-plated trophy and a cash prize, while the first runner-up and second runner-up are also rewarded with cash prizes, courtesy our main Sponsor, Globacom – the Telecommunication Giant. There would be about eight Age Grades that would be making their debut”.

THE BALOGUN/ELESHIN (WARLORDS & HORSE RIDERS) ON EQUESTRAIN PARADE

“We expect at least 21 various families of warlords and warriors who defended the Ijebu nation cum kingdom against external aggression and (internal) insurrection to put their horse riding prowess on display. They are expected to file into the main arena for the equestrian display in

an organised manner, with the Osi Balogun (presently vacant), current Otun Balogun and current Balogun families taking the rear. Globacom, the main sponsor of the festival will be awarding prizes to the winner, first runner-up and second runner-up in this category”.

2022 SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR

“Every edition of the festival necessitates the choice of a distinguished Nigerian as the Special

Guest of Honour. The 2022 edition, marking the reemergence of the festival is not different. The Special Guest of Honour for- the 2022 Ojude Oba Festival is an illustrious son of this blessed nation and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. Apart from being the Governor of our neighbouring State, Mr. Governor is a distinguished Nigerian technocrat turned politician with eminent record of achievements in both the private and public sectors of the economy. His unblemished record of service bears an eloquent testimony to his choice as our Special Guest of Honour. He is a distinguished Akokite “In Tuth and In Deed.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu is now joining the league of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and other eminent Nigerians who were at one or the other, our Special Guests of Honour. We thank Governor Sanwo-Olu for accepting to honour us”.

GLOBACOM

“Exactly nineteen years ago, the seed of the grand master of data, Globacom, was sown by Otunba (Dr.) Mike Adenuga, Jr. (GCON, CSG, CLH), Apesin Ola of Ijebu. Since then, the company has grown tremendously. Recently, Globacom, among many other laurels was adjudged as one of the best admired brands on the African continent. This honour is a fitting testament to the giant strides being recorded by the company.

First in innovation and technology, Globacom which started innovatively with per Seconds Billing, widely believed to be impossible then; this innovation led to the crashing of the cost

of GSM SIM and tariff from N20,000 and N50 per minute respectively to as low as N200 and 5 kobo per second, thus boosting telephone penetration (communication) in the country.

The company also pioneered revolutionary products like Blackberry, GPRS, Vehicle tracking, mobile internet, mobile banking, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), in-flight roaming services, Voice SMS, Magic Plus and Text2emaildr, among others.

Glo’s extensive optical fibre network, powered by a managed IP MPLS network, covers the farthest parts of the country giving business in over 130 cities low latency, faster connectivity and expanded bandwidth to carry voice, video and data reliably. This makes Globacom a partner of choice for organisations seeking to connect their branches or link up via optical fibre with any organisation within and outside Nigeria.

Based on its National Optic Fibre coverage, Globacom’s Global Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) service provides scalable virtual private networks (VPNs) and end-to-end quality or service (QoS), enabling efficient utilization of provisional networks to meet future growth and rapid fault correction of link and node failure.

Globacom is the only operator with a wholly-owned submarine cable, Glo-1, linking Europe and America to West Africa, ensuring the availability of bandwidth to enterprise customer in West Africa. The 9,800km-long cable has landing points in Lagos, Nigeria; Accra, Ghana; Senegal; Nouakchott, Mauritania; Casablanca, Morocco; Seimbra, Portugal; Vigo, Spain; and Bude in England. Glo -1 delivers a much faster and robust connectivity for voice, data and video. It unleashes limitless opportunities for corporate bodies in Nigeria and West Africa.

Globacom also provides a range of data connectivity solutions ranging from simple mobile broadband products to complex managed networking IT solutions. The company delivers the connectivity needs of large businesses in Nigeria and West Africa.

Globacom was also the first to accomplish a nationwide launch of 4g-lte network in Nigeria in 2016. Recently, the company scored another first by introducing the novel concept of creating a dedicated path in its 4g Ite network for enterprise customers. This aligns with the company’s promise of delivering best-in-class solutions to its corporate clientele to enable them optimize efficiency.

In the same vein, the company is currently embarking on laying Glo-2, the first submarine cable in Nigeria to terminate outside Lagos. This holds significant promise for taking bandwidth beyond Lagos to other parts of the country, especially the oil platforms and under-served communities in the southern parts of Nigeria.

As part of its programme for the 2022 Ojude Oba, Globacom on June 8, 2022 commenced a one-month Road Show in Ijebu Ode and environs to showcase its wide range of unique products and services and also deepen its market share. Globacom has also finalised its plan to host the guests of Kabiyesi Awujale and other VIPs at the Royal Banquet Hall of the Awujale Palace, immediately after the celebration at the Ojude Oba Pavilion.

As customary, various artistes have been lined up to entertain at an international musical fiesta, which includes engagement of talented youths through musical concept and to be complemented by the Miss. Ojude Oba Festival pageant in the evening of Ojude Oba Day. Favourite Artistes Teni, Abass Akande Obesere and a host of others will be present live, to thrill thousands of visitors at the Equity Resort (formerly Gateway Hotel) in the evening of Ojude Oba Day. Entrance into this musical concert will be through the purchase of unscratched N500 worth of recharge card per individual.

The Glo/Ojude Oba partnership in 2022 is in tandem with the socio-cultural and developmental philosophy of Kabiyesi, the Awujale to continue to empower his subjects, which led to the establishment and funding of the Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction; an establishment which has been sustained amidst scores of unparalleled strides, over the last 20 years. This year, a raffle draw has been added to the bouquet of goodies and

10 lucky winners will go home with brand new Tricycles, Television sets, Pepper Grinding Machines, garden Tent Umbrellas, among other valuable prizes.

It is impressive to note that, GLOBACOM will be signing another 10-year MOU/Sponsorship

Contract with the Ojude Oba Festival Committee”.

OGUN STATE GOVERNMENT

“We congratulate the Governor of Ogun State, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, and proudly welcome him to his second appearance at the Ojude Oba Festival, in his capacity as the helmsman of Ogun State of Nigeria. We wish him continued prosperous, peaceful, glorious and resoundingly successful end of first tenure in office by 2023, his reelection bid as well as his desired future political pursuits (Amen)”.

FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC

“This Bank of our people is a member of FCMB Group Plc., which is one of the leading financial services’ institution in Nigeria with unique subsidiaries/segments. Having successfully transformed to a retail and commercial banking-led group, FCMB expects to continue to distinguish itself by delivering exceptional services, while enchanting the growth and achievement of personal and business aspirations through the offering of innovative, convenient and helpful products and services.

FCMB has been a key supporter of Ojude Oba Festival for more than a decade and the bank is

indeed proud to be associated with the fest val. FCMB believes that the festival has been a major unifying factor for the great people of Ijebuland for about two centuries, and that it is an avenue for promoting the rich Ijebu cultural heritage to the global stage. FCMB has been particularly content and committed to the longevity of the Festival, realizing that globalization and social transformation, though essential, could also become a threat to the culture of the people, if the relevant culture and traditions of the people are not held sacrosanct. The Bank recognizes that respect for our heritage is an important catalyst for cultural diversity and a guarantee for sustainable development.

For FCMB, the Ojude Oba Festival is a major platform through which it carries out its Corporate

Social Responsibilities, with a key focus on economic empowerment. The annual display of Ijebu unique cultural heritage via the Festival attracts tourists from across the globe and Ijebu

indigence’s in the Diaspora, boosting trade and the hospitality sector in the region. The event remains a unique platform for locals to promote their wares to a broad range of visitors, thus promoting economic growth and stability. FCMB’s outing is thus anchored on the foregoing”.

RITE FOODS LIMITED

“Rite Foods Limited remains a leading indigenous manufacturer of wide range of beverages and confectionery products, which has vastly occupied sizeable market share throughout the length and breadth of the country, Undeniably, the partnership of the company with Ojude Oba Festival has been mutually satisfying. It is our fervent hope and prayer that the company will perpetually grow and enlarge in leaps and bounds (Amen)”.

NIGERIAN BREWERIES (GOLDBERG BEER)

“Goldberg Beer is one of the products of the Nigeria Breweries Plc. Goldberg beer is making its seventh appearance as an Associate Sponsor and the company hopes its partnership would continue to be enduring and mutually beneficial. We earnestly look forward to the company’s usual Goldberg Beer Village in Ijebu-Ode expected to commence a week before the festival.

We seize this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to other sponsors, companies and individuals that have placed advertisements and Goodwill Messages in the Commemorative Brochure of the 2022 Ojude Oba Festival”.

SECURITY AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

“We appreciate the importance of security and traffic management as a critical success factor.

The current security situation in the country, though worrisome, we are mindful of the fact that, we cannot afford to give up, hence we are making relentless efforts by engaging all relevant authorities towards ensuring water-tight security of lives and property. We are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure a hitch-free festival this year. Since matters of security are not usually discussed publicly, we wish to assure all that all Security agencies are on red alert and working assiduously to ensure adequate security of lives and property before, during and after the festival”.

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

“As part of the Committee’s plan to ensure that the Regberegbe (Age Groups), Baloguns & Eleshins fully savour the sweet taste of every moment of the festival, two prominent indigenous Apala crooners, Alhaji Musilu Haruna Ishola-Bello (Eegunjobi) and Alhaji Saheed Ligali-Mukaiba will be on band stand to thrill the audience at the pavilion”.

MOBILISATION AND SENSITISATION

“The Ojude Oba Festival Committee has been holding regular consultative meetings with various

stakeholders and relevant groups in Ijebu Ode, to ensure adequate mobilization and sensitization of our people. It is noteworthy to report that we are making tremendous progress

in this regard”.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL

“To cope with health and medical exigencies, we are partnering with the Ogun State Ministry of Health and its agencies, and some Non-Governmental Organisations to ensure safety of visitors, guests and other participants that will be present at the celebration”.

THE FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE

“The composition of the Festival Organising Committee is as follows: Otunba Wahab O. Osinusi (Otunba Fidipote of Ijebu), Chairman; Chief Olu B. Oluboyejo (Obasewa of Ijebu), Vice-Chairman; Chief (Dr.) Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf (Baagbimo of Ijebu), Coordinator; Chief (Mrs.) Bisi Osibogun (Iyalode and Omeso of Ijebu), Member; Giwa M. A. Odutayo (President, Ijebu Regberegbe Council). Member; Giwa (Chief) M. A. Oreagba (Maiyegun of Ijebu), Member; Chief Agboola Alausa (Balogun of Ijebu Ode), Member; Chief Alade Shote (Otun Balogun of Ijebu Ode), Member; Gbimo (Alhaji) Bashiru Alii, Members; Gunte (Alhaji) Kamorudeen Olatunde Alaga, Director of Programme; and, Lase OpeOluwa Osisanwo, Assistant Secretary”.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

CHIEF (DR.) FASSY ADETOKUNBOH OLORE YUSUF COORDINATOR.

For and on behalf of the Ojude Oba Festival Organising Committee.

Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz