June 23, (THEWILL) – The annual Ojude Oba (the king’s forecourt) 2024, an ancient festival celebrated by the Yoruba, particularly the people of Ijebu community in Ogun State. This year’s event took place on Tuesday, June 18 on the third day after the Muslim Eid-el Kabir Festival. As always, it was colourful, glamorous and in every sense, a profound display of Yoruba cultural heritage which featured parades, traditional attires and cultural performances.
Ojude Oba Festival is regarded as one of the biggest and most consistent cultural events in southwestern Nigeria. Little wonder, President Bola Tinubu is considering its inclusion in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO’s world cultural heritage.
The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, admitted that plans are underway to make Ojude Oba festival a symbol of unity and a rallying point for the Ijebu people, as well as a global festival, attracting national and international audiences. He also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his support, including plans to include the festival in UNESCO’s world cultural heritage.
At this year’s edition, different cultural age groups composed of indigenes, their friends and associates paraded at the front courtyard of the king’s palace. The festival was overseen by the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona,. The parade was also an opportunity to showcase the rich cultural fashion and heritage of the Ijebu and their revered traditional ruler, thereby promoting the development of Ijebuland and preserving its traditions for posterity.
One of the key features of the festival was the ‘Regberegbe’ (age grade) competition that saw some age grade groups emerge winners. The ‘Egbe Bobasete Okunrin Omooba’ won the contest, with ‘Egbe Bobagunte Okunrin Akile Ijebu’ coming second and ‘Egbe Bobamayegun Okunrin Asiwaju’ finishing in the third position in the male category.
‘Egbe Bobagunwa Obinrin Omooba’ won the competition in the female category, while ‘Egbe Bobagunwa Obinrin Asiwaju’ and ‘Egbe Arobayo Obinrin Akile Ijebu’ emerged as runners-up, taking home the same awards as their male counterparts.
Another highlight of the festival were the horse riders. Each rider representing his family or clan rode his horse to pay homage to the Awujale.
Some prominent Ijebu sons and daughters who came from far and near to attend the event included, Olusegun Osoba, a former Governor of Ogun State; Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Chief Sunny Kuku, the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland; Omogbolahan Olasunkanmi Wasiu Ayinde, Olori Omo Oba aka KWAM1 and his wife, Ropo, among several others.
The horse riders
Although there were many horse riders at the festival, a few caught the attention of THEWILL:
Farooq Oreagba
He literally stole the show, winning the hearts of those physically present at the Ojude Oba festival and netizens with his charm, charisma and composure. He was the cynosure of all eyes. The 58-year-old is the managing director of NG Clearing Limited. An alumnus of Ijebu-Ode Grammar School and King’s College, Lagos, Oreagba earned a degree at Edward Greene’s College, Oxford in London and secured a Bachelor of Engineering, Combined Engineering Studies from Coventry University from 1985 to 1989. He has over 30 years experience in the finance industry. Most recently, he was a member of the Derivatives Product Advisory Committee of the Nigerian Stock Exchange before taking on his current position in 2023.
Abdulrasheed Adedoyin Alatishe
He is the Balogun Alatishe II, the Generalisimo of the Ojude Oba festival
Princess Adesile
One of the few female horse riders at the event is the daughter of late Prince Abdul Gafar Adebayo Ajigboteso aka Aleshinloye Bayo
Prince Ayodeji Shote
He is the son of Omo Oba Jadi Ara
Prince Adeboye Kasali
He is a Senior Special Assistant to Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun
