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Ojude Oba Festival: Ogun NSCDC Boss Graces Occasion, Corps Controls Crowd Amidst Presence Of High Profile Personalities

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The Ojude-Oba festival which has turned an international brand with the influx of various personalities to the annual event which characteristically comes some days after the Eid-el Kabir celebration.

The event which was intercepted by the COVID-19 spread is being resuscitated by the organisers once again due to the fun, pageantry and cultural essences of the event. This year’s celebration coincidentally aligns with the recent change in baton between the new State Commandant and the erstwhile State Commandant making Commandant Niyi Liad Ajibola, the State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Command Headquarters, Abeokuta, to be the one gracing this occasion after a long while specifically since 2019 and at the instance of the deadly invasion of the COVID-19 upsurge.

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Trailing the history, the Ojude-Oba festival, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria, is an annual event which holds three days after the Ileya Celebration to pay homage to the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona (CFR).

In translation, the Ojude-Oba literally means “the King’s Front Court”. The event is an ancient one being used to not only respect the Awujale but to also bring the descendants and sons and daughters of the Ijebuland to one indivisible whole, at least once in a year.

Earlier, the State Commandant had mandated all the Area In Ijebu; Remo; and Ogbere to ensure adequate security presence. He also urged them to ensure adequate security collaboration amongst sister security agencies.

During his chats with the Area Commanders in the Ijebu and Remo axes, the State Commandant expressed his desire for deployment of intelligence and surveillance experts to help relay information useful for nipping crimes and criminalities in and around the venue especially with the sole purpose of protecting the lives and property of the masses who have trooped in from far and near to witness and savour the uniqueness of the Ojude-Oba festival.

He also charged the Disaster and Rescue Management Department to be on ground to offer emergency medicals if the need arises.

According to him, “The event could result into mass stampeding of the venue and even with strict crowd control efforts some individuals may still be involved in issues of quick medical attention”, he added.

The celebration of the Ojude-Oba festival is one of glamour, wealth, social class, love, excellence, beauty and most intricately, love and selflessness exhibited by the participants knowing fully well that in the world we are not created nor made equally in terms of riches and wealth so the rich try to bring succour and liveliness to the downtrodden through gifts of several things possible within their available means.

The event is one with lots of demonstration of fun, pageantry and marketing in its core essences and values. Just as seen and witnessed in the past Celebrations, some big conglomerates, industry giants, multinational corporations and advertising agents amongst others. To mention but a few we had the following in attendance: GLOBACOMM, MTN, AIRTEL, ETISALAT, FCMB, COCA COLA, and a host of other high level industry superpowers.

Also gracing the occasion was the INDOMIE NOODLES, amongst other quick food giants across the country such as RITE FOODS, makers of: Bigi Cola, Sosa Fruit Drink with its ranges of: Apple; Mixed Berries; Orange; Cranberry; and Orange Passion and Mango ranges of flavours; the Nigerian Breweries PLC amongst others. It was a celebration of strength, capacity, fulfilment, corporate social responsibility and purposefulness from these industrial giants to the people from all over the world.

To mention a few of those who were present at the event, we had the likes of: His Excellencies, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun (MFR); and his brother and colleague Governor of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Her Excellency, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State; the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona (CFR); High Chief Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State and the Akinrogun of Egbaland; Otunba Olasubomi Balogun (CON), the Chairman of First City Monument Bank PLC and a major facilitator of this event over time; High Chief (Sir) Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu (KJW), the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Premier Lotto and Park Inn; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Shuaib Afolabi Salisu.

Others include the State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Command Headquarters, Abeokuta, Commandant Niyi Liad Ajibola; the State Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, CP. Lanre S. Bankole, who was ably represented by ACP. Edward Omosanyin; the Trace Corps Commander/Chief Executive Officer, Commander ‘Seeni Ogunyemi, and a host of other high personalities in and around the State and even internationally as well.

There was at the height of the celebration procession of various families, groups, descendants and organisations, amongst others who gallantly displayed their artistry possession, resilience, commitment, selflessness, doggedness, simplicity and what have you, to the enjoyment and admiration of the people present at the event.

It was a show of cultural embellishments, ancestry powers, amongst others. The event demonstrated the love for others, the need and genuineness of relaxation after hard work, the celebration of the true essence of life and the translation of individual’s families and group’s capacities to be kind and supportive to others in the midst of daunting challenges.

The inaugural speech was delivered at the instance of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a Very Special Guest of Governor. He was seen comfortably on seat by the side of the Awujale on the left while the Ogun State Governor flanked the Awujale to his right.

The Lagos State Governor expressed his deep felt gratitude for the honour done to him and also appreciated the long standing relationship existing between Lagos State and Ogun State with the sermon for unprecedented unity in Nigeria and across the nooks and crannies of the Nigerian nation.

In the same vein, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun (MFR), also delivered the Executive Governor’s Speech as the Chief Host in the yearly event which was held last in 2019 at the upsurge of the COVID-19 menace across the world.

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