The 2013 Ojude Oba Festival, a cultural celebration of royalty, horsemanship, fashion, glamour and beauty, took place on Thursday, October 17 in Ijebu Ode, Ijebu Ode local government area of Ogun State with great fiesta.
Sponsored by Globacom, the festival witnessed sons and daughters of Ijebu including the Baloguns, age-groups (Regberegbes), societies and various groups paying homage to the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II, at Awujale Pavillion, the newly constructed edifice directly opposite his palace.
Horse groom and his charge at Ojude-Oba-festival
Aside the parade of the Regberegbes, sounds of gunshots, traditional songs, poems and horse riding showmanship rent the air at the festival witnessed by a large crowd from far and near including international guests.
In his festival message, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland commended Globacom for transforming the annual Ojude Oba Festival into an international event in dimension and popularity since the telecoms organisation began sponsoring the festival eight years ago. He added that Glo had made Ojude Oba Festival "accessible to every part of the world through the satellite, print, electronic media and the social media".
Burna Boy on stage
The Monarch lamented the negative effect which pervasive corruption and other social ills were having on the country and appealed to political leaders to rededicate themselves to the ideal of service. Oba Adetona welcomed the proposed national conference which he hoped would avert calamity in the country.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal who was the Special Guest, described Ojude Oba Festival as an avenue for the display of unity, religious harmony and friendship in the country. He urged other Nigerians to emulate the unique virtues of the Ijebus especially their industry and business acumen.
On the bid for Ijebu State, the Speaker advised the Awujale in Council to follow to the letter guidelines laid down in the 1999 Constitution for the creation of states and promised to fully support the bid whenever it was presented.
Cross section of the contestants at 2013 Miss Ojude Oba pageant
For their scintillating performance during the homage to the Paramount Ruler, Bobagunte Okunrin came first in the male category of the age grade competition, while the Egbe Jagunmolu Obirin was adjudged as the best group in the female category. The winners took home N750,000 each courtesy of Glo.
In the Balogun competition involving horse riders, the Alausa family came first, Adesoye family came second, while the Kuku family was adjudged third.
Also, the 2013 Miss Ojude Oba Beauty Pageant was held at the Equity Resort Hotel, Ijebu Ode, where Miss Ayeni Naomi Imoleayo, a 20-year-old student of Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese Ijebu, defeated 10 other girls to win the Miss Ojude Oba crown and a cash prize of N100,000. 20-year-old Anibi Omotoyosi of Babcock University came second to win N75,000 while 23-year-old Olamide Victoria Odia, of Ambrose Alli University smiled home with N50,000.
Later at night, thousands of youths thronged the musical show and were thrilled by the duo of Burna Boy and Wande Coal while Gbenga Adeyinka serenaded with rib cracking jokes and wisecracks for a memorable festival.
