2023 ORIMOLUSI Ojude Oba Festival Set To Hold

The entire city of Ijebu Igbo in Ogun State will come to full life from June 28th to 1st July, 2023. This year's event will be held at the Orimolusi Palace Ground. Last year's Orimolusi was a historic date, as sons and daughters of the community gathered at the palace of His Royal Majesty, Aleyeluwa, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo, the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo. He was the Chief Host.

His Royal Highness, Oba Adebajo, the new Orimolusi was the reason behind the joyful festival.

Ijebu Igbo is a prominent town which stands tall among its peers in Ogun State, It boasts of quite expansive arable land with lots of mineral resources in it. Ijebu Igbo accommodates 5 kingdoms of over 200 villages.

The Glitz and Glamour of the day was very close to that of Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode. The Ijebu Igbo version of the annual ceremony was given a unique title: "Orimolusi Ojude Oba Festival". It is a name very dear to Ijebu Igbo people.

The festival was largely attended by prominent sons and daughters of Ijebu-Igbo. Their presence at the event didn't go unnoticed as they were physically present to pay homage and celebrate with the Orimolusi who ascended the throne of his fore-fathers last year. City People was at Ijebu Igbo to cover the eventful festival last year. This year's Ojude Igbo will hold in a few weeks time on Saturday 2ndJuly, 2023. We hereby bring to you details of how the event went last year.

THE UNIQUENESS OF ORIMOLUSI OJUDE OBA

The Orimolusi Ojude Oba festival has begun on a very bright note. It would subsequently be held on the 2nd day of the Ileya Festival when the Muslim faithful would be capping up their biggest celebration with such a glamorous gathering. The Ojude Oba Festival transcends religious barriers and sentiments as it's been observed across the Ijebu land. It usually has indigenes and lovers of the annual festival flood the town from across the globe to pay homage to their esteemed kings as well as see how best to develop the communities. During this period the economy of Ijebu grew geometrically.

BIT BY BIT ACCOUNT

This year's celebration was held at the Orimolusi Palace Ground with the theme; Ijebu-Igbo: Fulfilling the Dreams of Our Progenitors. It was well attended by top dignitaries that travelled from far and near to be actively involved in the highly colourful occasion.

Starting the day was the activities of the Muslim Community of the land which was spear headed by the Chief Imam of Ijebu Igbo, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Issa fondly called Ekuaniya). They held a special prayer for the land after which they admonished the king and the people of the community at large.

Worthy of note among activities that marked the occasion is the much anticipated parade by over 20 fully recognized age grade groups popularly called the Regberegbes in paying homage to the Alayeluwa, Oba Adebajo. Their procession and parade at the instance of the key was glamorous and very colourful.

Also paying homage to the king were many prominent and highly influential organizations, groups and associations in the land. Meanwhile official partners of the occasion had their parade in front of the king.

Other activities marking the day were prize presentations to the winner of Miss Ojude Oba Orimolusi and the 3 outstanding age grade groups both male and female at the occasion. This was followed by party galore as each group entertained themselves and had fun for the rest of the day. Among notable top musicians that entertained guests is the legendary Juju Musician, Wale Thompson.

TOP DIGNITARIES

THAT SPOKE

The ceremony was marked with several presentations of speeches and addresses. The welcome speech was delivered by the Chairman, Organising Committee and Chairman, Ijebu Igbo Regberegbe in Council, Otunba Babatunde Ganiyu after which the Chairman of the occasion, Otunba Femi Dinah gave his speech.

Also delivering a remarkable and highly inspiring speech was a prominent politician and leader in Ijebu Igbo, Senator Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka. He stressed on the need to support the king in every way to enhance the advancement of Ijebu Igbo.

Deputy Minority Whip House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable AbdulMajid Adekoya Adesegun aka Attacker was among the dignitaries that addressed the people. During the speech, he felicitated with the king and his subjects on the occasion after which he acknowledged the greatness of Ijebu Igbo in Ogun state in terms of land mass and its endowment with resources. Meanwhile he pledged to support the development drive of the community. Senator Lekan Mustapha (SLM) also gave a warm remark about the event as he congratulated the king just like others had done. Kabiesi eventually delivered a goodwill message to the massive crowd.

SITTING UNDER THE WELL ARRANGED CANOPIES

The festival was held on an open field on the very spacious palace square. There were quite a number of canopies erected at the venue of the event. Each of them was filled to capacity. Despite the heavy downpour of the rain, the people came out en masse to witness the festival. Sitting under each canopy are top dignitaries, members of the age grade groups and their guests. The main canopy was a mighty one. It housed the Orimolusi with the kings of the 5 kingdoms under Ijebu Igbo. They are Oba Mufutau Adesesan Yusuf, the Sopen Lakalu of Oke-Sopen; Oba Abayomi Olusesan Banjo, Olokinne of Ojowo; Oba Ibitoye Solaja, Keegb of Atikoro; Oba Stephen Adeleke Adekoya, Bejeroju of Oke Agbo; and Oba Adewale Aderemiogunye, Abijaparako of Japara. Top personalities like Senator Adegbenga Kaka, Otunba Femi Dinah, Senator Lekan Mustapha (SLM), Honourable Abdulmajid Adekoya Adesegun and quite a number of them. There was another special tenth for the high ranking chiefs across the villages that made up Ijebu Igbo. After this is the canopies which accommodated the very 20 age grade groups not leaving out some social clubs and associations like that of the hides and skin Pomo dealers, women clubs, and other community based groups. They all had fun under their respective canopies.

MEET THE AGE GRADE GROUPS THAT SPICED UP THE FESTIVAL

They are 24 organized and recognized Regberegbe groups in Ijebu Igbo.

They all trooped out in their huge numbers, dressed in their various lovely and well styled attires, their presence at the festival added lots of spice which made it remarkable. These groups include: Egbe Bobajolu, Egbe Obafuwaji, Egbe Bobagbimo, Egbe Bobakeye Okunrin Agba Olorire, Egbe Boakeye Olooto, Egbe Mayegun Akile Ijebu, Egbe Bobagunte Agba, Egbe Bobagunte Majeobaje, Egbe Bobagunte Mayegun, Egbe Bobagunte Orimolusi Obinrin, Egbe Gbobaniyi Asiwaju Orire, Egbe Gbobaniyi Ibile Okorokoro, Egbe Jagunmolu Asiwaju, Egbe Jagunmolu Orimolusi, Egbe Jagunmolu Alalubarika, Egbe Jagunmolu Alalubarika Original, Egbe Arobayo Asiwaju, Egbe Arobayo Okunrin Ati Obinrin Akile Ijebu-Igbo, Egbe Tobalase Asiwaju, Egbe Bobamayegun Orimolusi, Egbe Bobagunwa, Egbe Bobadega, and Egbe Tobalase Orimolusi.

-Jamiu Abubakar

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