08 June 2025
Dele Olasupo
For over 200 years now the popular Ojude-Oba, festival that usually holds on the third day after every Eid-el-Kabir (Ileya) festival in Ijebu Ode of Ogun state, keep waxing glamorous with lots of side attraction that makes the festival a unique Memorable celebration.
This year, 2025 Ojude Oba is not in exception with usual glamour that characterized the world class occasion as the stage is set with preparation and different decorative items put in place, such as advertisement materials from different companies, renovations and constructions were already taken place all round the town, to mark the Ojude-Oba festival.
Ojude-Oba, meaning “the kings forecourt”, started during the reign of Awujale Ademuyewo Afidipotemole, to pay homage and show respect to the Royal Majesty, Awujale of Ijebu Land. This gesture was from the early Muslim converts of the Ijebus, to appreciate the kingship.
Ever since, Ojude-Oba has become a major spiritual and glamorous festival, celebrated in Ijebu and Ogun state in general.
The festival has become a major tourist scene , visited and celebrated not by only indigenes but also foreigners, that are willing and wishing to experience and be part of the celebration.
Today, Sunday 8th July 2025 kicks off this year Ojude-Oba, where different socio-cultural groups, clubs, associations that comprise of Ijebu indigene, friends and associates are expected to showcase the rich culture of the town.
Features and side attraction at the festival includes core Yoruba practices by the Ijebus. Where participants and
Attendees are gorgeously dressed in traditional attires like Sapara, Esiki, Agbada, Buba and Iro, made from the finest Aso-Oke, Adire, Damask and the likes.
At this glamorous event, different cultural groups displayed their dancing steps and skills, different social groups step in parade to show eminence and the most interesting of all the parades is that of the different age-grade groups, called “Regbe-Regbe”
Horse riding is one of the features at the Ojude-Oba festival and it signifies the Balogun families.
This classy festival will welcome in attendance thousands of people, particularly the Ijebu descendants, tourists and others from all over the world. The festival is now a world wide activity, that people can stream live and watch on the Internet.
Amidst provision of security to ensure free and safe festival, participants are enjoined to be security conscious as a result of mixed multitudes that will grace the festival.
As so many Ijebu sons and daughters from all over the world will be coming to town for the festival, so will some pickpocket, thugs and criminal elements from outside Ijebu come and take advantage of crowd and joyous mood to do rub people of their valuables.
*Happy 2025 OJUDE OBA CELEBRATION.*
