Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, Sunday said the yearly Ojude Oba festival had come to stay, describing it as a veritable cultural monument.
They stated this at the 2017 edition of the event celebrated by the Ijebu people of Ogun State amid pomp and pageantry.
Prominent personalities that graced the event included wife of the governor, Olufunso Amosun, the state’s Deputy Governor, Yetunde Onanuga, former Governor Gbenga Daniel and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi.
Also in attendance include Adebola Adegunwa, founder of First City Monument Bank, Olasubomi Balogun, Kola Banjo, Dayo Adeneye, among others.
At the festival, indigenes of different age groups, friends and associates from far and near thronged the palace of to pay homage to the monarch in a carnival-like celebration.
The event held at the Jubilee Square, opposite the Awujale’s Palace in Ijebu-Ode. Oba Adetona, who appreciated God for enabling him and his subjects to witness this year’s edition, said the Ojude Oba had grown over the years and it has become difficult to compare it with any other festival elsewhere.
He commended Amosun, the different age grade groups known as Regberegbe and the Baloguns, for their unflinching support.
“The Ojude Oba has become a festival, which cannot be rivaled. It has been in existence for over a century and it has continued to improve every year,” the monarch affirmed.
Speaking, Amosun said his administration would continue to create the enabling environment for such festival to continue to thrive.
He noted that there was anxiety in the State when the social media carried unfounded tales about the monarch’s health, saying everybody was happy to see that he was healthy and fit.
“We thank God that the Kabiyesi is hale and hearty. We were all worried over the unfounded story about his health.
“We will continue to create the enabling environment for festival like this to continue to thrive. This is festival that has come to stay, and it will outlive all of us.”
Adegunwa, who was the guest of honour, urged the Ijebu people to guard the festival jealously, because it has become a rallying point for everyone.