• 28 Jun, 2025
• Faith Kegh
• No comment

When Culture, Fashion, and Tradition Converged at the 2025 Ojude Oba Festival.

The 147th edition of the Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode delivered another unforgettable cultural spectac

le, drawing thousands of attendees eager to celebrate the heritage and honor the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. After the buzz of last year’s edition, expectations were high—and the festival exceeded them.

  A Star-Studded Affair
This year’s event saw the return of Farooq ‘Mr Steeze’ Oreagba, a crowd favorite from last year, who made another stylish appearance. He was joined by a host of celebrities including actors Lateef Adedimeji and Ibrahim Chatta (riding with the Shoye family), musician Lil Kesh, actor Femi Branch, and music legends Ebenezer Obey and KWAM 1. Traditional musicians Sulaimon Alao and Shefiu Alao also performed, adding a rich musical layer to the celebrations.

  Regberegbe Parade and Horse Displays
A highlight of the festival was the parade of age-grade groups known as Regberegbe, adorned in elaborate Yoruba attire. These groups are central to the festival’s identity and serve as a way to connect different generations of Ijebu natives through shared heritage.

The renowned horse parade also captivated the crowd, with families like Shoye and Balogun arriving in regal fashion before the Awujale’s palace. Competing families included the Balogun Adenuga, Alatise, Adesoye, Alausa, Kuku, Gbobaniyi, Bobagbimo, Gbobalaye, and Obafuwali lineages. Notably, this year saw increased participation from women and children, emphasizing a strong push for inclusion and continuity of tradition.

  Voices from the Festival
Olori Olayinka Onakoya, representing the  Egbe Tobalase Rontex Obinrin Akile Ijebu, highlighted the importance of preserving and passing on the cultural legacy to the next generation.

Oba Adewale Musafa Abdul, the Olofin Ajaye of Orugbo Iddo, described the festival as a unifying event for the Ijebu people, one that promotes peace, attracts tourism, and boosts the local economy. “We want more Regberegbe groups to join and expand the celebration further,” he added.

Despite the absence of the Awujale, who was said to be recuperating, the energy of the event remained undiminished.

  Government and Institutional Support
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun called the festival a beacon of unity and tradition, promising continued government backing to enhance its impact on tourism and employment in the region.

Diran Olojo, Head of Corporate Affairs at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), a long-time sponsor, praised the festival’s growth. He described it as a thriving cultural ecosystem that benefits numerous sectors—from fashion and transport to entertainment and small businesses. He noted the need for a larger venue due to increasing attendance.

  Community Reflections
Members of various Regberegbe groups expressed pride in the festival’s growth and hoped for better organization in the future. Giwa Oladipupo Ogunlana, of *Egbe Bobamaiyegun Okunrin Asiwaju Akile Ijebu*, suggested venue expansion and improved logistics to accommodate more guests. His group, boasting 284 members, has won multiple times since their first appearance in 2017.

Shakirat Adepeju and Iyalode Islamiyat Sowami, both long-time participants, shared emotional connections to the event, describing how the festival keeps them tied to their roots and motivates diaspora Ijebu natives to return.

   Looking Ahead
Many participants called for better planning to manage the festival’s increasing scale. However, there was a shared optimism that Ojude Oba would continue to grow as a model cultural celebration—not only preserving tradition but also inspiring similar festivals across the region.

Faith Kegh

Content & Editorial Manager – Leads the creation, review, and publication of high-quality news and media content. She ensures that all editorial work reflects the organization’s standards of accuracy, professionalism, and relevance, while also engaging and informing the audience.

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