Descendants of the Aleshin Osi Family ride on horses to pay homage to the king Awuja Ile of IIjebuland, during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. – Ojude Oba festival is an ancient festival celebrated by the Yoruba people of Ijebu Ode, a town in Ogun State Nigeria. This annual festival usually takes place the third day after Eid El Kabir to pay homage and show respect to the King the Awujale of Ijebuland. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
• Balogun Kuku family claims N750,000; the Oreagba family followed with N600,000; while the Shoye family received N500,000 for finishing third.
This year’s Ojude Oba Festival blossomed into a resplendent tapestry of culture, pageantry and reward as Globacom, principal sponsor of the event, lavished cash prizes on outstanding Regberegbe age grades and celebrated horse-riding families at the festival held in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Friday.
In the highly celebrated Regberegbe category, Egbe Bobakeye emerged overall winner in the male category to claim the star prize of N750,000, while Egbe Bobagunte Okunrin and Bobamayegun Okunrin secured second and third positions respectively, winning N600,000 and N500,000. In the female category Egbe Arobayo Obinrin Precious came first followed by Egbe Jagunmolu Obinrin Stainless and Egbe Bobamayegun Obinrin Aremo in the second and third places.
The Eleshin horse-riding contest was equally enthralling, with Balogun Kuku family galloping to victory to claim N750,000. The Oreagba family followed with N600,000, while the Shoye family received N500,000 for finishing third.
The Regberegbe and Eleshin competitions remain enduring highlights of the annual cultural spectacle, with participants captivating audiences through elegance, discipline and equestrian dexterity.
The horse riders swept through the arena with regal flair, while the age grades radiated splendour in richly adorned attire.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., described Ojude Oba as a powerful cultural institution capable of promoting unity, tourism, economic growth and social cohesion.
He noted that the festival was “not a fading relic of history, but a living cultural force” fostering peace, progress and prosperity.
Speaking on the theme, “Ojude Oba 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona,” Dr. Adenuga paid glowing tribute to the late monarch whose wisdom and commitment to cultural preservation elevated Ijebuland to global prominence.
According to him, the late monarch transformed Ojude Oba into an internationally admired cultural institution and a luminous symbol of Yoruba heritage.
He prayed Almighty Allah to grant the departed royal patriarch eternal rest, while commending his fatherly guidance and steadfast devotion to Ijebuland.
Dr. Adenuga further observed that, in an age where globalisation threatens indigenous identity, festivals such as Ojude Oba remind people that preserving culture is ultimately preserving the future.
He also praised the festival’s unique ability to unite people across religion, class and generation, describing it as “civilisation eloquently displayed”.
As principal sponsors, he affirmed that Globacom remained honoured to support a festival that promotes unity, excellence, enterprise and enduring cultural continuity.
