The annual Ojude Oba Festival, a vibrant celebration of Ijebu culture and tradition, recently concluded with great success. The festival attracted thousands of participants and visitors who showcased elaborate traditional attires, captivating dances, music, and impressive equestrian displays.
The festival showed how cultural traditions can drive
economic growth by empowering local businesses, service providers, artists, and
artisans from Ogun, Lagos and practically all the other states in South West
Nigeria.
Affirming the economic and social development potential that
could be harnessed from the festival through tourism, Ogun State Governor,
Adedapo Abiodun, MFR, committed to elevating the Ojude Oba Festival to a global
stage. He envisions the festival as a permanent fixture on the international
tourism calendar and its listing as one of the festivals backed by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Central to the festival’s enduring legacy is the Regberegbe
system, a tradition of age-grade solidarity and mutual support. Historically
rooted in communal labour practices, the Regberegbe has evolved into a symbol
of community cooperation, fostering social bonds and collective responsibility.
This unique social structure empowers individuals. It has contributed to the
overall resilience and development of the Ijebu community for centuries.
FCMB Group Plc, a major sponsor of the Ojude Oba festival,
recognizes the festival’s significant contribution to social cohesion and
development. By celebrating shared cultural heritage, promoting unity among
diverse groups, and strengthening community bonds, the Ojude Oba festival
fosters a favourable environment for socioeconomic development.
In his goodwill message, Ladi Balogun, Group Chief Executive of FCMB Group Plc, noted that the festival attracts visitors from across Nigeria and the diaspora, contributing to the growth of trade and tourism in Ijebuland, Ogun State and Nigeria. The FCMB Group Chief Executive urged Ijebu people to embrace the festival’s spirit of togetherness and use it as a springboard for further development and inspiration for younger generations.
This year’s Ojude Oba festival witnessed the participation of 90 Regberegbe groups, a significant increase from 76 in 2023. This surge indicates a rise in social cohesion, which is crucial in promoting unity and peaceful coexistence within the community.
Speaking on the festival’s economic impact, Adewale
Adenugba, CEO of Blooms Hotel in Ijebu-Ode, said, “The festival has
significantly boosted business activities across Ijebuland over the years,
coinciding with the Muslim Eid-el-Kabr celebration when many Ijebus and their
friends return home.
During this period, hotels in Ijebu-Ode and surrounding
towns experience full occupancy, and relaxation centres also see increased
activity. Artisans, traders, and vendors of various items, including festival
paraphernalia, food, drinks, and transportation services, enjoy brisk business
and substantial income. If we aggregate all these, the festival generates
billions in revenue, benefiting not only Ijebu-Ode and Ogun State but also
Nigeria. I urge the government to leverage this platform to promote tourism
further.”
FCMB Group Plc, a long-term supporter of the Ojude Oba
Festival for over 20 years, is committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable
growth within its communities by building a supportive ecosystem connecting
people, capital, and markets across Africa.