Glitz, Glitters & Glamour As Egbe Tobalase Obirin Akile Ijebu Celebrates 2022 Ojude Oba Festival
It was indeed a wonderful and amazing celebration in the year 2022 Ojude-Oba festival, as the most incredible and stunning denomination of Egbe Tobalase Obirin Akile Ijebu stormed the venue in grandstyle to honour and entertain top officials and dignitaries.
Some of the dignitaries present includes; Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona ,the Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom, the Governor of Ogun state, Gov.Dapo Abiodun, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, the Proprietor of First City Monument Bank, Chief Kola Banjo, Chief Mike Adenuga, C.E.O Globalcom, Chief Dayo Adeneye, and many others.
This year’s Ojude-Oba festival took place on Monday, July 11 at Ijebu-Ode, in Ogun State.
Despite the rain, many Illustrious Ijebu sons and daughters converged in Ijebu-Ode to grace the annual festival in the metropolis.
The `Ojude Oba’ celebration in Ijebuland is an annual event during which indigenes of different calibres, groups, friends and associates from both far and near thronged the palace of the Awujale, for the carnival-like celebration.
Speaking on the festival, Chief Mrs Bolanle Kuforiji, the Iyalode Egbe of Egbe Tobalase Obirin Akile Ijebu, said that over the years, the “Ojude Oba’’ has brought so much love, peace, prosperity and stability to indigenes both within Ijebuland and across the diaspora.
Kuforiji said that the gods of the land will continuously bless partakers of the festival for their yearly contributions to ensure its success.
She added that the glitz and colours of the event were second to none globally.
Describing the parade of colours at the festival as that of a rainbow, Kuforiji said that it is not out of place because the Ijebu people use it to showcase their dress style.
Kuforiji said that the festival stand as a platform for sons and daughters of the soil to meet, interact and network across board.
“We do not only showcase our culture but we help generations to learn and emulate the very essence of the festival.
“Unity is what every Ijebu man and women’s stands for, “she said.
Also, Mrs Kemi Yinusa, the secretary of the group, said that Ojude-Oba’ is a Yoruba festival held in Ijebu Ode, It is held annually on the third day after Eid el-Kabir.
According to her, the festival began many years ago.Today, the festival is usually attended by thousands of people from across the globe.
“Despite the downpour, It was celebration unlimited, and as usual, many illustrious sons and daughters of the soil across the world stormed the ancient town of Ijebu Ode to witness the event.
“The Ojude Oba in Ijebuland is an annual event, during which all indigenes across the globe come together to celebrate,”she said.
Meanwhile, Chief (Mrs) Adetutu Oladeinde, the Yeye Agbaakin of Tobalase, said that the aged group of Egbe Tobalase Obirin Akile Ijebu is between age bracket of 1971, 1972 and 1973 respectively.
She said that the group are well known for their integrity, dignity, elegant, cultured and well-mannered set of respected individuals.
“Any woman can be eligible member that is, if she falls between the aforementioned age bracket but must be an indigene by birth or marriage.
“Our group has impacted lives severally and we have done several orientation and life savings programmes to better the community and the society at large, ” she said.
Oladeinde said that this year’s edition no doubt offered superlative pleasure, and no attendee was left out, as everyone present participated to the fullest.
“The spectacle of the town could be described as a splash of colours, like the plumes of a beautiful bird.
“Despite the rains, our members still parades the venue ground to show excitement with our colourful and sparkling green colour “Aso-Oke” and wine, white, green and white line”Gele”.
“We had fun and enjoyed ourselves in this year celebration and I pray we witness many more on earth surface, ” she said.
Oladeinde expressed her unalloyed appreciation and gratitude to Chief Ademola Akile of PM Oil and Gas, the Baba Egbe of Egbe Tobalase Obirin Akile Ijebu and also to Eta Iyalode Tolani Lawal for their usual support all the time. It is well appreciated and acknowledged.
Earlier, Chief (Mrs) Fatimo Agboola, Yeye Apagunpote of Tobalase Obirin Akile Ijebu urged the Government both federal and state to upgrade all the streets and major express roads linking to Ijebu-Ode and beyond.
Agboola said that the conditions of roads within the communities are not palatable and needed government urgent attention for repair and upgrade.
She said that Ojude-Oba festival brings socioeconomic development into the state.
“It also boost commercial activities within the neighborhood. It is an impactful festival, all sons and daughters of Ijebuland are always happy to celebrate the annual festival because of it significance, ” she said.
