Oyinkansola would normally take shelter to avoid the blazing sun. But on Sunday, June 8, 2025, she did not. She braved the heat and joined other residents of the serene Ijebu town as they made their way to the Awujale Pavilion, the venue of the 2025 Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu, Ogun State.
Looking stunning in her striped navy and sky blue ‘buba,’ ‘shokoto,’ and ‘fila made from Aso Oke, she wore a pair of sunglasses. Her neck and wrists were adorned with coruscating beads, and in her right hand was a black staff, typical of royalties, though she was not one.
But behind her elegant looks was a whole year of preparation for the biggest festival in Ijebuland one of the most colourful and globally recognised even in Yorubaland — Ojude Oba. To every son and daughter of Ijebu Ode, the Ojude Oba festival is the pride of the area, and Oyinkansola did not mince words while describing how important the event is to her.
“I’m here to celebrate, and I’m representing the Kabiyesi himself. We’re having fun, we’re enjoying the moment,” she told Channels Television, grinning from ear to ear.
“This is my town, and this is my village, and this is what we do every year to celebrate the king himself, the Awujale Of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
“I think the preparation took a year. You know, after this one (Ojude Oba festival), then another one (preparation) starts. That is how we do it yearly. So, it takes a whole year to prepare,” Oyinkansola added.
Tradition With Style
Ojude Oba, which means ‘The King’s Court’ in English, originally started as a ceremony organised by a group of Muslim faithful to pay homage to the traditional ruler of Ijebuland. The history of the festival can be traced to the 19th century when Islam began to spread across Ijebuland.
Ojude Oba takes place at the Awujale Pavilion and is overseen by the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
Held on the third day after Eid-el-Kabir, a Muslim celebration popularly known as Sallah or ‘Ileya’ in the South-West, the ceremony is widely known for its vibrant display of different Yoruba attire.
The attire worn by different age groups not only reveals class but also tells stories about the Yoruba culture and heritage.
Although the event was temporarily interrupted in 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that shook the world, Ojude Oba has continued to provide a platform to sustain the courtly cultural history of the Ijebus, better told by the people.
The 2025 edition of the festival held on Sunday, June 8, 2025, attracted hundreds of participants drawn from different parts of the country and elegantly dressed in local fabrics like Adire, Aso Oke, Agbada, and Iro and Buba.
UK To Ijebu Ode With Pride
Like Onyikansola, Adewale, who flew in from the United Kingdom to attend the festival, said he had already planned for the event a year ago.
“I started preparing for this last year because coming to Nigeria is expensive, so you have to start preparing,” he said.
“And because there is poverty in the land, you need to prepare for what you need to do. It’s a matter of responsibility because we need to give back to society. I’ve got more than 10 of us here, right now — some from America, some from the UK, and some from Germany.
“We only do this once in a year. I’m proud to be an Ijebu man. I was born and raised here. It’s one of the best things because you can’t stay away from the culture. For one reason or the other, I live abroad but I can’t leave my culture,” he added.
Brisk Business For Traders
Interestingly, Ojude Oba offers huge economic opportunities for the Ijebu people, especially in the areas of hospitality and tourism as major hotels and guesthouses are usually fully booked by local and international guests.
From the major road leading to the pavilion, local traders displayed their wares on both sides of the road, while those who did not want to restrict themselves, hawked their wares around.
Corporate organisations also cashed in on the large crowd drawn by the festival. They made sure every available space along the road and within the pavilion was covered with posters and fliers marketing their products and services.
Swank ‘Regbe Regbes’
One of the high points of the ceremony is the colourful parade of different age groups, locally known as ‘Regbe Regbe’ to pay homage to the Ajuwale.
At this year’s edition, over 30 male and female age groups participated in the cultural fiesta and they did not disappoint. They positioned themselves in strategic areas at the pavilion.
Some of the age groups spotted by Channels Television were Egbe Arobayo Obinrin (Asiwaju, Akile Ijebu), Egbe Bobagunte (Akile Ijebu), Egbe Tobalase Obinrin (Akile Ijebu), Egbe Arobayo Okunrin (Akile Ijebu), Egbe Gbobaniyi Okunrin (Oredegbe Akile Ijebu), and Egbe Jagunmolu Okunrin (Fehintade, Akile Ijebu).
Others were Egbe Jagunmolu Obinrin (Omooba, Akile Ijebu), Egbe Gbobaniyi Okunrin (Asiwaju, Akile Ijebu), Egbe Bobagunte Obinrin (Omo Oba Akile Ijebu, Egbe Bobagunte Okunrin (Akile Ijebu), Egbe Bobakeye Obinrin (Double T.) Akile Ijebu; and Egbe Obafuwaji Obinrin (The Great) Akile Ijebu.
Shakiru Salami, a member of the Egbe Jagunmolu Okunrin (Fehintade, Akile Ijebu) explained that the membership of each age group depends on the method adopted by the group. He, however, noted that the gathering of the groups does not end at the festival.
“The selection depends on the group. It is always the Iyalode who is the first person to get to the committee at the palace. From there, they may start recruiting more members who are Ijebu either in Nigeria or in the diaspora,” Salami said.
“This is Ijebu for you, to celebrate our culture and for all of us to be together. After this, we meet as egbe’ in various groups for the development of our hometown. The attire symbolise who we are and the beauty of Ijebuland in culture and colours. So, this (Ojude Oba) is the point where we celebrate every year and discuss our future, helping each other and the camaraderie,” he added.
Oba Johnson Adebayo, who is the leader of the Bobaniyi Asiwaju Akile Ijebu Okunrin age group, comprising men born between 1962 and 1964, said he had been attending the festival since the 1970s. But what makes the 2025 edition stand out?
“You can see the glamour they added. Look at the setting. This one is unique to pay homage to the Ajuwale. In the ones I attended as a child in the 70s, the Ajuwale’s palace was used for the festival,” Adebayo told Channels Television.
‘Dobale Fun Oba’
At the 2025 edition on Sunday, June 8, 2025, each group later took turns to salute the king at the VIP section. However, due to the large turnout, only the leaders (Giwa and Iyalode) of the groups were allowed to enter the VIP section, while others remained at the entrance waving banners bearing the names of the groups.
Among those spotted at the VIP stand were the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami; the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; and two former governors of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Senator Gbenga Daniel.
Attendees Defy Hot Weather
Although most of the attendees were grateful that it did not rain — despite being the rainy season — the excess heat was palpable on the sweaty faces of many of the residents and visitors.
Many of them were seen fanning themselves in a desperate attempt to direct cool air to their faces. Some who were not lucky enough to sit in the shade used plastic hand fans or fashion accessories to provide some shade.
But water vendors cashed in on the situation as many participants helped themselves with bottled water or water packed in sachets — popularly known as ‘pure water’ — to quench their thirst.
“It is very hot today. I had to leave my group to come out to get fresh air,” Salami, who was seen standing at the centre of the pavilion, told Channels Television.
Theatrics By Horse Riders
One spectacle that no one wants to miss at the festival is horse riding, typical of the Durbar festival in the North.
The horse riders at the Ojude Oba festival, who represented different Balogun families, were stylishly dressed in attire that casts an aura of aristocracy. The families included Balogun Adenuga, Balogun Alatise, Balogun Adesoye, Balogun Alausa, and Balogun Kuku.
More interesting was the display of dexterity by the female horse riders smartly and beautifully dressed. Each female rider turned out in a unique attire that represented a participating family.
They were also ushered in by youths bearing banners and local hunters who shot in the air as the rider carried out manoeuvres in an attempt to make the horse stand on their hind legs. Many of the onlookers scampered to safety to avoid being kicked by the horses.
Crowd Control
Owing to the national and global significance of Ojude Oba, security agencies deployed personnel to the venue of the festive to protect lives and property and forestall a breakdown of law and order. Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps were sighted at the event.
However, security agents had a hard time controlling the mammoth crowd within and around the pavilion. Residents were seen shoving one another as they struggled to move around or get a spot. At the VIP section, there was little thoroughfare occasioned by the large number of people at every nook and cranny of the area.
Deafening Vuvuzelas
Local entertainers thrilled guests; one of the drummers slammed his drum so hard in the excitement that the force sprinkled drops of sweat from his face in different directions. Many kids, mostly teens, had fun blowing vuvuzelas, reminiscent of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
“I am blowing it because I am having fun,” one of the kids said with a smile before dashing forward to join his peers.
‘Ojude Oba Engine For Youth Engagement’
Speaking at the ceremony, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described the Ojude Oba festival as a dynamic tool for youth engagement. He said that it was not just a celebration but a symbol of communal harmony and cultural heritage.
“Ojude Oba has become a dynamic engine of tourism, youth engagement, and entrepreneurship. Our administration is determined to expand its reach and impact,” the governor said.
Given the importance of the festival, he said his administration was encouraging access in Ijebuland and across Ogun State through the provision of infrastructure, enhancing educational and digital facilities, upgrading the healthcare infrastructure, and supporting local enterprises.
“We’re ensuring that no community is left behind. The vibrant youths of Ijebuland, let me assure you that our government will continue to provide platforms for you to excel.
“As we celebrate Ojude Oba with horses, harmony, and heritage, let us recognise that our rich culture is not just a source of pride but a catalyst for sustainable development,” Abiodun added.
He further stressed the need for the Ijebus to work together to build a better and more prosperous future for themselves, their children, and future generations.
“Our greatest strength lies in our unity, values, and our shared resolve to build a prosperous Ogun State that leaves no one behind,” Abiodun noted.
