The Globacom-sponsored Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode saw a vibrant cultural display and major prize giveaways, marking 20 years of the technology company’s support for the renowned Ogun State celebration
[dropcap]O[/dropcap]jude Oba Festival this year in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, was a spectacle of culture and generosity, as Globacom, the technology giant, marked its 20th anniversary of sponsoring the event in splendid fashion.
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The celebration, held on Sunday, saw the telecommunications company distribute brand new cars, tricycles, power generators, and various other valuable items to attendees.
The event was graced by high-profile dignitaries, including the Governor of Ogun State, Chief Dapo Abiodun, and the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism & Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa.
Also in attendance was Olorogun Sunny Kuku, the OgbeniOja of Ijebuland. The festival itself featured a dazzling display from almost 100 different ‘Regberegbe’ groups, who competed fiercely to outshine each other in appearance, prominence, and sheer splendour.
According to a statement, the Balogun families also put on a sterling show, demonstrating remarkable dexterity in manoeuvring their horses as they paraded.
This was in honour of the age-long tradition of paying obeisance to the Awujale of Ijebuland after the Eid celebrations.
Governor Abiodun, in his goodwill message, lauded the Awujale’s reign of over six decades, describing it as one of “purposeful leadership, progressive vision and unwavering commitment to the upliftment of Ijebuland and the entire Ogun State.”
Minister Musa-Musawa, meanwhile, hailed the festival as a “shining testament of the richness of our cultural diversity and the resilience of our traditional institutions in preserving history for future generations.”
Globacom’s two decades of continuous sponsorship provided a huge opportunity to reward various segments of the Ijebu society.
The company distributed top-grade Basmati rice to all the ‘Regberegbes’ as a token of celebration. Beyond this, several lucky winners carted home mouth-watering prizes.
Among the standout prizes were two brand new cars. One recipient, chosen through a community nomination process, was 52-year-old Opeoluwa Osisanwo.
A member of Egbe Tobalase Okunrin, Osisanwo was recognised as the most outstanding young leader in Ijebuland for his diligent years of service as Secretary of the Ojude Oba Festival Planning Committee. “I never knew people were watching me.
I was just serving my land of birth to the best of my ability,” he said, expressing gratitude to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, and all members of the Committee for allowing him to work with them despite being the youngest.
The second car winner, Idowu Olabisi, a trader from Ijebu Igbo, expressed her ecstasy upon receiving the keys, noting that Globacom had given her a spectacular Eid gift she never anticipated.
Additionally, four brand new tricycles (Keke) were won by various individuals from within and around Ijebu.
These winners included Hassan Toheeb, a businessman from Ijebu Itele; Adenike Olanrewaju, a plank seller at Molipa, Ijebu Ode; Gazal Temitope, a trader residing in Olisa, Ijebu Ode; and Lawal Tosin, a carpenter also from Ijebu Ode.
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The enduring Ojude Oba Festival, bolstered by Globacom’s consistent support, continues to be a highlight of Nigeria’s cultural calendar.
