which represents “the King’s fore-court or frontage”, could also be translated as “Majestic outing”. It was formerly a small gathering of the people of the Islamic religion which started over 100 years ago, when the earliest Muslim converts in Ijebu-Ode paid homage to the Awujale of Ijebu-land, showing their appreciation for granting them the liberty to practice and observe their religion.
During the reign of Awujale Ademuyewo Afidipotemole in 1878, a slave identified as Alli who later became Alli-Tubogun began open practice of Islam. He received his master’s blessing to practice his religion without any barrier, obstruction and fear of any persecution. Due to this one-man effort coupled with the endorsement of his master, Islam began to grow, attracting so many converts and by 1880, local mosques were built at many wards in Ijebu-Ode.
In 1896, an incident and drama occurred on 27 September, when two reverends, Rev. R.A Conner and Rev. E.W George baptised 41 Ijebu-men with their proclamation to keep just one wife out of the many they had earlier married. This incident caused a chief whose name was identified as Chief Balogun Kuku, a prominent Ijebu son to relinquish Christianity and to embrace Islam which encourage polygamy because he had over thirty wives, over 200 slaves and other ardent followers. The chief’s extreme wealth coupled with the respects the Ijebus had for attracted many converts to Islam.
Ojude Oba festival is a successor of the Odeda festival, which was also an annual event in which the worshippers of several traditional religions such as Sango, Egungu, Osun, Ogun, Yemule and so on come together to showcase their identities by dancing in turns to drums and songs in front of the Awujale, Olisa, various other important chiefs and the people of the town.
Chief Balogun Kuku, who was a party to the Odeda festival until he converted to Islam could no longer participate in the festival and then he decided to replace the Odeda festival with a new one which will conform with his new religion. This birthed the Ita-Oba festival which has now metamorphosed into what is known as Ojude Oba Festival. The festival has since been accepted not just by the Ijebus at home, but also by millions of people within and outside Nigeria. The festival is usually attended by over 250,000 people across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
The 2013 edition of the annual Ojude Oba festival hosted many prominent dignitaries, such as Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, the state deputy governor, Prince Segun Adesegun, Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa and members of the state executive council.
In 2017 festival themed: “Our Culture, Our Pride,” was graced by the then Governor of Ogun State, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun and his state executive cabinet, Otunba Subomi Balogun, the Otunba Tunwashe of Ijebu and founder of First City Monument Group, Adegunwa, a renowned businessman and former chairman of Sterling Bank PLC, Chief Kola Banjo and former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
The 2018 edition of the Ojude Oba festival received the presence of former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki as a special guest of honour, who was accompanied by seven other senators which includes; Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Biodun Olujimi, Senator Duro Faseyi, Senator Sam Anyanwu, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim and Senator Shaba Lafiaaji among others.
Also, the then state Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun was expected but was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga at the event. One of the main sponsors of the 2018 edition was the chairman and founder of Globacom Otunba Mike Adenuga. Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola, DJ Top and the trio of Mr Real, Idowest and Slim Case was also present in festival where they gave indigenes and guests the 2018 Glo Miss Ojude Oba Beauty pageant held at Equity Hotel.
The 2020 edition of the Ojude Oba festival was cancelled by the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Adetona due to covid-19 and the need to maintain social and physical distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.[18][19]
Again the 2021 edition was also cancelled because of the rapid resurgence of the coronavirus. The organizers said it is better to avoid preventable health hazards and protect lives.
Adetoun Sote wrote a book on the Ojude Oba Festival of Ijebu-Ode in the western part of Nigeria. The first book to be written on this festival.
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