•One of the female age grades
In a characteristic manner, the Ijebu people in Ogun State, Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria, flagged off 2024 edition of the Ojude Oba cultural festival of glamour, class and elegance on Tuesday.
The over a century old festival which also depicts accomplishment, the enterprising spirit, unity and religious harmony of the Ijebu people, has continued to be their rallying point with their revered Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Ogbagba11 as the embodiment of what this unique ethnic group is in Nigeria.
•Aremo Segun Osoba, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Gov Dapo Abiodun and Oba Sikiru Adetona in Ijebu Ode on Tuesday.
The Oba Sikiru Adetona pavilion in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebuode local government area of the state, the venue of the festival beamed with kaleidescope of gorgeously dressed sons and daughters spread across over 75 age grades called regberegbe, who would take turn amid rhythmic dance steps to pay homage to Oba Adetona, who is often refered to as Orisa Ijebu(the god or Oracle of Ijebu).
Seated in the Parvilon were the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, members of the state executive council, Oba Adetona; his wife, Olori Kemi Adetona, the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland; chief Sunny Kuku, captains of industries, and tourists among other eminent personalities
Also in attendance were a former governor of the State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and the Senator representing the Ogun-East Senatorial District of the state, ex – Governor Gbenga Daniel, who is the Otunba Obalofin of Ijebuland.
An estimated 25,000 people, including friends, tourists and well-wishers, participated in the festival comparable in stature, glamour and pageantry with the Rio Dejenero Carnival of Brazil or the Nottinghamhill Gate Carnival in London.
As early as 9:30am on Tuesday, June 18, the mini stadium like – arcade built by the Ijebu people for the festival had begun to to witness massive influx of celebrants of various age grades, peaking at noon time with more of them and spectators spilling into the appian Awujale archway, Folagbade street and the adjoining ones as well as the Itoro Headquarters of Ijebu – Ode Local Government Council.
Wherever one turned, it was the sight and sound of drum beats by Ijebus in festive mood. Freelance local drummers and entertainers in their various groups entertained guests for no fixed price.
By 10: am, the regberegbes began to take turn to pay homage to the Awujale, Oba Adetona, who equally poured his highly sought royal blessings upon them liberally. 
But the the glamour and carnival in Ojude – Oba took more exciting and equestrian dimension with the gallant parade of the Baloguns and Eleshins in Ijebuland. These are the descendants of Ijebu war heroes and horse riders, who executed wars and gained major victories for the ethnic group during the war – torn era of the yoruba history.
Among them are Balogun Odunnuga, Balogun Bello Odueyungbo Kuku, Balogun Agboola Alausa, Balogun Alatishe, Balogun Otubu, Balogun Adesoye, Balogun Odejayi, Balogun Adesoye Onasanya, Balogun Towobola, Balogun Aregbesola and Balogun Ajibike Odedina.
Others are Balogun Sarunmi, Balogun Areagba, Eleshin Keregbetu family, Eleshin Oyewole family and Eleshin Josi family – they all took turn to ride triumphantly into the Pavilion on horse back in the fashion of soldiers returning from a successful military campaign.
This colourful parade and procession of the baloguns and eleshins was accompanied by staccato booming of dane guns.
The Ojude – Oba which was previously a muslim religious affairs in Yorubaland, took a firm root in Ijebu with the settlement of the first convert to Islam in Ijebu Ode during the reign of Awujale Adesimbo Tunwase around 1889. And during this period and up to the time of Oba Adeona Fusigboye (1906), horse ridding was not part of it.
But horse riding seeped into it during the reign of the duo of Oba Adenuga Folagbade and Oba Adesanya, and took a glamorous dimension when Oba Sikiru Adetona came to the throne over six decades now, driving the festival to national and international recognitions.
This year, many of the horse riders displayed their expertise to the excitement of all. It is now being suggested by many notable Ijebu sons that in future, enough time should be given to the horse riders to display their prowess.
The Ojude Oba is also yearly attracting tourists from within and outside the shore of Nigeria. This year’s edition impacted positively on the socio – economic fortune of Ijebuland.
Hospitality business boomed while the celebration lasted. An estimated over N35million business opportunities turned up as caterers, printers, rentals, artists, hoteliers, transporters, tailors, hawkers of souvenirs among others made brisk business while corporate organisations like Globacom used the avenue to stamp its products and services deeper into the consciousness of the people, especially the grassroots.
•Ojude Oba poised to become a global event, declares Gov Abiodun
Governor Dapo Abiodun has said that his administration was poised at making the Ojude Oba festival a global event.
Abiodun said the annual event has grown from a mere gathering of Ijebu people to felicitate the Awujale to an event that attract both national and global audience.
According to the governor, the festival, which has become a tourist attraction, symbolizes and reflects the collective unity of the people known for hard work, perseverance, and industry.
He said: “Ojude Oba festival is not only a cultural heritage for the indigenes of Ijebuland but has now become a significant event that attracts local and foreign tourists to Ogun State, showcasing our hospitality and enviable tradition of Ijebuland to the national and global audience.
“This festival serves as a symbol of our unity, tourism and a rallying point to all the Ijebu sons and daughters to celebrate the life and times of our tradition, culture, and revered monarch.
“It has become a catalyst for development of Ijebuland, and this undoubtedly underscores the importance of preserving our traditions for future generations.
“By standing for unity and harmony, we elevate our community and set an example for others to follow. The essence of unity and harmony in Ijebuland can be seen willingly in cultural events like this festival.
“Our administration is deeply committed to supporting the initiative to make it a permanent event in the global tourism industry,” he said.
The event, he observed, creates opportunities for an advancement which has brought about the socio-economic development not only to the axis but the state as a whole.
While thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing interest in expanding the festival, especially with plans to include it in the UNESCO’s world cultural heritage, the Governor said his administration was committed to providing the conducive environment for business to thrive.
He said the festival provides an opportunity for the Ijebu people to take stock and project the future. He called for unity and harmony from people across the state, adding that it was time to work together to build a virile state.
“The state government will continue to create a conducive atmosphere for community development across the state and I solicit the support of the people, especially all the sons and daughters towards the 20th National Sports Festival, Gateway Games, 2024, part of which will be hosted right here in Ijebu-Ode,” the governor concluded.
Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Hannatu Musa-Musawa, who was represented by Rev. Ben Ugo, Director of Cultural Industry and Heritage, said her ministry was working towards promoting and preserving cultural heritage of President Tinubu’s administration with the creation of economic expansion to the tune of $100bn.
He acknowledged the cultural diversity of Nigerians, noting that the federal government is working towards making the country a cultural hub by the year 2030.
Chairman of the 2024 Ojude Oba festival, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, appreciated the governor for his support for the festival and the people for trooping out in thousands to grace the occasion.
The paramount ruler, Oba Adetona in his message, lauded his people for the peaceful celebration of Ojude Oba which also often turned to a time to draw Ijebu sons and daughters to areas needing developmental attention in Ijebuland.
