OJUDE Oba literarily, is the gathering of people at the kings palace. But in Ijebu Ode, Ojude Oba is not all about the gathering of people in Awujale's palace rather it is a festival that brings together, people of the same age range known as regberegbe for homage in Awujale's palace.Celebrated on the third day after Id-El-Kabir, the event often attracts Ijebu Ode sons and daughters both, at home and in the diaspora to witness the colourful festival.This year's held at the massive arena, built for this purpose and situated close to the Awujale's palace.By 9am of the day of celebration, the venue was almost filled to capacity having been prepared and decorated the previous day.The theatre-like arrangement gave vantage viewing position to everybody at the venue. The chairs bore telecommunication company, Globacom's logo as supporting brand; it added colour to the environment.By 10am, the regberegbe began to arrive. They were all clad in their chosen aso-ebi. This was the height of display of colours, as each group tried to outdo the other in their popular traditional iro and buba. For the ladies, the old buba that has its sleeves just below the elbow, with some tying their iro above their knees.The host governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, arrived just before 10am when the event was billed to start.The special guest of honour, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State, arrived some few minutes after 10am. So did the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Alaiyeluwa, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II and other chiefs too numerous to mention.The event formerly started with the National Anthem followed by the awujale anthem.As a festival that has been celebrated over 100 years when the first converted Muslims thought it fit to visit their king to thank and felicitate with him in allowing them practice their religion, this edition also had prayer session for Awujale's long reign and good health progress and prosperity of the town. The Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Alhaji Imam Salisu Alejulehun led the prayers this year.Chairman of festival committee, Otunba L'haed Adedeji Balogun, made a short speech of welcome to all present, and steered the course of event. Then it was time for the regberegbe; (age grades) parade to pay homage to the Oba and have him pray for them.This segment proved colourful and interesting as each group danced to their choice of music. The official sponsors of the festival also paid homage and the kabiyesi prayed for them. So did their counterpart, FCMB.The award for the best regberegbe age grade this year was eventually announced. Speaking on behalf of the wining group, Yeye Oge Adeolushin said, 'we really mean it. Last year we took second and we did not like it; that is why we worked hard to take first position today. We incorporated the Eyo to parade with us'.Asked what they intend to do with the N1million prize money, Adeolushin said they would share it among members of the group.The horse ride session by the olorunguns and the otunbas was the height of the festival. Well decorated horses took over the parade ground with their riders shooting dane guns in the air sporadically.The horses displayed some acrobatics as the riders prompted them, sometimes dashing at the crowd that ran in different directions.The kabiyesi thanked all the companies, organisations and individuals who have remained steadfast in supporting the festival over the years through sponsorship, saying, 'we thank those who have greeted us on this special occasion, we thank you all for coming'.At this point, a lot of people began to retire to their various canopies that were set up on both sides of the road, from Lagos garage to the Oba's palace. Different bands also played different kinds of music for the enjoyment of the celebrating people of Ijebu. Vero fruits juice company mounted a small stage that played Fela's music with Fela's look-alike, who wore only under pants, with a cigarette to match.A concert was also held at Dipo Dina International Stadium, organised by Globacom and it paraded stars like Shina Peters, Eedris Abdukarim, Konga, Terry G, Katz, Father U-Turn among others.Speaking before crowning the beauty queen of the festival for the night, Mr. Akeem Kazeem, Head of Lagos Territory for Globacom, said the concert and the participation of the company in cultural activities was a way of giving back to the society and a way of demonstrating that Globacom is all about Nigeria and Nigerians.
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