Abiodun Onafuye/ Abeokuta

The Annual Ojude Oba festival will be observed in Ijebu-Ode on 6 October, with businessman and oil mogul, General T.Y. Danjuma, expected as special guest of honour. Last year, Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal performed the role. And two years ago, it was Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The festival,for decades is always observed on the third day after the muslim Eid-el-Kabir festival.

The venue remains the multi purpose Oba Adetona Golden Jubilee Centre, directly opposite the Awujale’s palace.

A scene at 2013 Ojude Oba festival

Addressing newsmen today at the Heritage Hall,Awujale’s palace, the Coordinator of the 2014 Ojude Oba festival, Chief (Barr.) Fassy Yussuf, the Bobagbimo of Ijebuland disclosed that the theme for this year festival is; “Our People, Our Heritage”.

The Coordinator also affirmed that Danjuma will be accompanied by his wife, Senator Daisy Danjuma, who attended Adeola Odutola College, in the town.

Forty age grade groups, the Regberegbe’s will be on parade this year alongside 20 horse riders from the various lines of Baloguns will display at the event.

The uniqueness of this year’s festival, which is to add glamour to the festival is the cash award which the majors sponsor, Globacom has increased for the winners and runners up in the area of horse riding and the age group parade,regberegbe’s display.

Some of the sponsors for this year’s festival includes the major sponsor, Globacom, FCMB and others like Diamond bank, Coca Cola,Julius Berger and the new entrant, Goldberg Beer.

In his address, the Head,Public Sector Sales, Globacom, Mr Babatunde Amunikoro said this year’s event will be the fifth year the giant telecom company is associating with the festival,as the sponsorship contract was signed in 2010.

According to him, “our involvement in the celebration of Ojude Oba festival is also geared towards celebrating the unique tradition and custom of the Ijebu people and by sponsoring the festival and other festivals with huge tourism potentials,comparable to the 100 year old Rio due Janeiro carnival in Brazil, Globacom is helping to promote the cause of tourism in the country”, Amunikoro said