By Blessing Chinagorom
Ojude Oba festival is not only a cultural heritage for the indigenes of Ijebuland but has now become a significant event that attracts local, foreign tourists, showcasing Ogun State hospitality and enviable tradition of Ijebuland to the national and global audience.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who disclosed this at the 2024 Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on Tuesday, vowed that his govt is posed to make the festival a global event due to the growth from a local gathering to an event attracting national and international audiences.
According to him, “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 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, harmony in Ijebuland can be seen willingly in cultural events like this festival.
“We’re deeply committed to supporting the initiative to make it a permanent event in the global tourism industry,” the Governor said.
Abiodun noted that the festival, now a significant cultural heritage event that attracts both local, foreign tourists to Ogun State.
“It also symbolises unity and serves as a rallying point for the Ijebu people to celebrate their culture and revered monarch, promoting the development of Ijebuland and preserving the traditions for future generations”.
The festival, Ogun Governor observed, creates opportunities for an advancement which 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.
Abiodun 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.
“Govt will continue to create a conducive atmosphere for community development across the state and I solicit 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.
Ojude Oba has been an annual event for over a century when the first converted Muslims deemed it fit to visit their king, the Awujale of Ijebuland, the paramount ruler of the Ijebu, to thank and felicitate with him for cooperating with them and allowing them to practise their religion.
It was reported that the festival became popular during the reign of the 2nd Balogun of Ijebuland, Balogun Odueyingbo Bello Kuku in 1890, during the pagan annual ceremony called Odeda festival in the Awujale palace, Balogun Kuku, his family, slaves emerged on well-ornamented horses along with elderly sons and the Muslim Community in a long procession.
