The 2024 edition of the Ojude Oba festival was held recently on the third day of Eid-al-Kabir, and pictures from the event have got people talking!
The festival, which bore the theme “Ojude Oba: Unity and Harmony, Our Gift,” made a rich show of colours, styles, and cultural pride. It was garing and we couldn’t help but appreciate the culture of the Ijebu people in its totality.
What is the Ojude Oba festival?
The Ojude Oba (The King’s Forecourt) is an ancient festival celebrated by the Yoruba people of Ijebu-Ode, a major town in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria, and one of the most spiritual and glamorous festivals celebrated in Ijebuland and generally in Ogun State as a whole.
During the festivities, different cultural age groups known as “regbe regbe” composed of indigenes, their friends, and associates parade at the front courtyard of the king’s palace in exquisite attires that showcase the rich Yoruba culture. The show of glitz and glam from people at the Ojude Oba festivities is always the highlight of the festival, as people from all over the world get to see and appreciate the cultural heritage.
Notable personalities at the festival this year
This year’s edition had prominent people such as the incumbent Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun. The former governor of the state Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; his wife, the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, and celebrities such as Femi Branch, Wumi Toriola and many others in attendance.
Ben Ugo Anama, Director of Cultural Agencies and Heritage, who represented the Minister of Culture, Arts and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, at the festival described the annual festival as a platform for fostering the unity of the country and one of the country’s tourism potentialities. He also disclosed that the federal government has indicated plans to list the annual Ojude Oba as one of the festivals backed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
What the internet is saying
It is no news that the Ojude Oba festival always sparks reactions from people everywhere and the reactions this year have not disappointed. From amazement and excitement to subtle envy, the internet is sharing its thoughts.
First up, the internet’s crowned King and Queen of ‘steeze’ Ojude Oba ‘24
With all the buzz that goes on every year about Ojude Oba, it is of little wonder that the festival has become a Nigerian fan favourite. We are eagerly taking in all the commotion these photos are causing, as well as looking forward to the event next year!
