It compares favourably with the Rio carnival in Brazil. It matches the Nottingham fiesta. The annual Ojude-Oba cultural showpiece is a study in homage making and parades much more attractions than the Durban meet, arguably though. It dates back to the days of the ages, precisely in 1892, when the then monarch, His Royal Majesty, Adesunbo Tunwase, acted
Awujale
as the trail blazer as the Muslims paid him homage to appreciate his gift of the piece of land where the central mosque was built and still sits, till today. The foremost two or three Balogun’s, who started it also used the occasion to thank the Awujale and paramount rulers of Ijebuland, for giving the Muslims another piece of land to on converge for celebrating the Sallah. The evolution of what was clearly a Muslim affair is what has transformed into an inter-faith brotherhood, which the Ijebu people could use to teach Nigeria and any faith-strife hit nation some lessons in inter-faith cooperation, religious tolerance and unity in diversity.
With the involvement of corporate brands like Globacom, for nine unbroken years running, then FCMB, and now Goldberg beer from the furnace of Nigeria brewery, the ingenuity of the current Awujale and paramount ruler, Sikiru Kayode Adetetona,Ogbagba II, has been renewed for all to see and treasure. The “regberegbes” (age groups), which combine the task of community development with socialisation among themselves, showed class, colour and panache, trying hard to outwit one another. The women age grades too were not left out as they showed style, adorning fabrics of colours in tandem with fad. It goes without mentioning that all the Balogun families representatives will ride on decorated horses. But amid the celebrating of a blossoming cultural heritage, the people of Ijebuland, and indeed their people still find time to address germane issues bordering on development, and the polity. An issue that had been a recurring decimal still recurred Monday,when the monarch emphasized the for the creation of Ijebu State, urging the National Assembly to expedite effort in the actualisation of the dream. The monarch expressed satisfaction with the partnership of various companies who have in the recent years past, add glamour to the carnival- like festival.
”I want to thank the National Conference members for their courageous step in the creation of more states in the country. We are now appealing to the federal government and the National Assembly to give effect to this recommendation and let our dream become actualized.
“Ijebuland is blessed with both human and natural resources and all these will be put together to make the much expected state become one of the fastest and envious state in the country’’, Awujale posited.
In his address, the governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, described the festival as unique and world-class, having earlier congratulated the people of Ijebuland on the organized manner in which they had put the event together. The governor,, however, used the opportunity to thank the monarch, Awujale of Ijebuland and other traditional and religious leaders in the State for their unalloyed support they have been giving to his administration since inception.Amidst worsening states of internal roads in the town, the Governor said the giant strides taken by the government in the past three and half years had made the world bank to categories the state among the best five states in the country that is business- friendly state in the country.
“I want to give you a good news, your support and prayers since we came on board are noticed. Just last week, the World Bank announced the state as one of the business friendly states in the country.
“Ojide Oba festival has remained a cultural symbol of unity for all Ijebu and it has become a world-class festival. Since Ijebu people are known for business and industry, they have now set aside a day to count their blessings in the atmosphere of love and oneness. Here we are today, we don’t know the different between the Muslims and the Christians. It is a unique festival and on behalf of the state government, we rejoice with our revered monarch and all sons and daughters of Ijebu for this festival”, the governor said.
While speaking at the ceremony, the special guest of honour, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, expressed satisfaction and happiness in the festival, which according to him, has shown the love, happiness and oneness among all Ijebu people.
Danjuma, who was accompanied to the event by his wife, Senator Daisy Danjuma, thanked the people of Ijebu for the honour given to him by choosing him as the special guest at the occasion.
“Let me say this, with what I saw today, I am seeing love, unity, happiness and oneness in the faces of the people, this shows that the monarch is loved by all. Awujale is the longest surviving Oba, Emir and Obi in this country and with that, I doff my cap for him. He enjoys a lot of respect and love from his subjects and this is one thing I noticed today. I wish every son and daughter of Ijebu happy festival,” the former Chief of Army staff stated.
At the end of the event, the Bobagbimo age grade came first in the male category while Tobalase came first in the female category. The Bobagunte and Tobalase came second and third while Jagunmolu (stainless) and Bobakeye (double T) came second and third respectively in the female category.
Meanwhile, unlike last year, where it came first, the Balogun Kuku family was dropped to second position while Balogun Adesoye came third. The winner of this year horse riding competition among the warriors (Balogun’s) is the Balogun Alatishe, who went home with a trophy and cash prize of N300,000, courtesy the major sponsor of the festival, Globacom telecommunication. With the trophy and prize, Globacom has restated its commitment to tourism and cultural development in Nigeria with the sponsorship of the festival. Globacom’s Head, Public Sector Sales, Tunde Amunikoro, said. “Globacom has been in the forefront of promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Nigerian people, having sponsored similar cultural festivals, including Lisabi in Abeokuta and Ofala in Onitsha.” He said that Ojude Oba had become a rallying point for tourists from all parts of the world who pay visits to Nigeria every year to be part of the celebrations and declared that the festival has also become a melting point where ideas and initiatives, which would boost the growth and development of Ijebuland are considered.
‘By sponsoring Ojude Oba, and other festivals with huge tourism potential comparable to the Rio De Janeiro Festival, Globacom is helping to advance the cause of tourism in the country”, he enthused. Amunikoro said further that Globacom’s consistent sponsorship of festivals in Nigeria is aimed at consolidating its commitment to identifying with the culture and tradition of the Nigerian people as a Nigerian company playing on the global pedestal. “The obligation has seen us partnering with the people of Ijebuland to celebrate Ojude Oba festival, a relationship that began eight years ago and will last for many more years”, he disclosed.
The Coordinator of Ojude Oba Festival Committee 2014 and former Information Commissioner in Ogun State, Fassy Yusuff, said in his remarks that Globacom’s consistency in sponsoring the festival in the last eight years had contributed to the visible improvement in the elements that make the festival unique and memorable. He said Globacom is reputed as a company, which has shown interest in traditions and values, which are binding forces and has further enhanced the tourism potentials of the festival.
“When the history of the telecommunications industry is written in Nigeria, Dr Mike Adenuga (GCON) will receive copious mention not only as a man whose company boasts of very affordable, people-oriented products and services alone, but also as one who contributed immensely to ensuring that our customs, cultures and traditions do not go moribund”, Yusuff quipped.
Ojude Oba has been celebrated in Ijebu Ode for over 100 years and is a festival of culture, dance and unity, which is celebrated on the third day after the annual Islamic eid el kabir festival. This year’s celebration featured an arts exhibition organized also at the instance of Globacom and a musical show, which featured Saheed Osupa and Burna Boy.
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