Like the proverbial bitter kola that never misses a season, a vibrant multitude of Ijebu sons and daughters gathered in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Saturday in resplendent attire and enviable style. With passionate fervor, they reinforced their reputation as a repository of cultural reverence and a showcase of a richly artistic heritage. This was at the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival, sponsored by First City Monument Bank (FCMB). The event attracted numerous visitors and unfolded gracefully as a feast of spectacles, colors, grandeur, and unbreakable bonds.
The great 'omo alares', as Ijebus are traditionally praised, proved that although their beloved legendary monarch, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, has joined his ancestors, he is not forgotten. They demonstrated this by fulfilling all the elevated processes of the festival, which the departed king had diligently worked to elevate to the extraordinary height that everyone now cherishes and tries to emulate.
Regberegbe Splendor and Horse-Riding Spectacle
In the wisdom of a Yoruba proverb, 'Eegun omode nii koko jo ki t'agba to jo', meaning the young masquerades perform before the elderly ones. However, in the Ojude Oba Festival tradition, the reverse is the case, perhaps interestingly reinforcing the message in another adage: 'Eegun to ba ko jo, iran ni a wo ni'gbeyin' – the masquerade who dances first eventually becomes a spectator. From around 10 am, when the programs formally started, the oldest Regberegbe age grades opened the breathtaking, yet disciplined, parade that is the soul of the festival. The senior men and women, who have been part of the festival for decades, displayed enthusiasm and passion with youthful energy as they graced the pavilion with graceful aesthetics. The younger groups followed in theatrical rounds, thrilling the crowd in a healthy cultural competition.
When the horse-riding families took their turn in the late afternoon, the warriors in their blood emerged as they upped the game with prancing dance steps and friendly gunshots. At the end of the day, Egbe Bobakeye emerged as the overall winner in the male category, while Egbe Arobayo Obinrin Precious achieved the same in the female category. The Balogun Kuku Family won in the horse-riding category.
Celebrities, Style, and Cultural Ambassadors
The expansive feast was enhanced by the presence of celebrities, including Nollywood stars Eniola Badmus, Adeniyi Johnson, Mercy Aigbe, Femi Branch, Idowu Phillips (aka Mama Rainbow), and Dayo Amusa. Daughter-of-the-soil waka Queen Salawa Abeni and content creator Samuel Banks were also part of the carnival. The king of style himself, Farooq Oreagba, stormed the pavilion with his trademark charismatic horseback entrance, never disappointing in his commanding regalia and acclaimed candor.
FCMB's Enduring Partnership with Ojude Oba
Mr. Oreagba's participation was symbolic in two respects. Firstly, he was the deserved legend everyone wanted to behold. Secondly, he serves as a cultural ambassador for FCMB, the prime sponsor of the Ojude Oba Festival. The bank's presence at the event was robust and strategic, with its tender, purple, and illuminating yellow corporate insignia visible at every cardinal point of the festival ground and the city itself. From FCMB's elegantly built pavilion-within-pavilion stand in the arena, to the colorfully draped team it deployed, to the gifts the bank presented to the royalty during its parade, and the bountiful financial support it provided for the program, the bank is indeed a blessing to the cultural growth of not only Ijebu-Ode but Nigeria at large.
Honoring Oba Adetona's Legacy
In his goodwill message at the festival, Group Chief Executive of FCMB Group Plc, Ladi Balogun, underscored these dynamics. He stated that he joined the Regent, Acting Awujale, Olorogun (Dr.) Sonny Folorunsho Kuku, the Ijebu traditional institution, the Ojude Oba Festival Committee, and all the people of Ijebuland in celebrating the 2026 edition, describing the festival as 'a true symbol of our culture.' Mr. Balogun said, 'This year's festival holds special significance as we honor the legacy of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, whose passing in 2025 marked the end of one of the most consequential royal reigns in Nigeria's history. For over six decades, Kabiyesi embodied disciplined leadership, dignity, and progress. He strengthened the traditional institution, elevated Ijebuland's profile on the national stage, and transformed Ojude Oba into a cultural platform that promotes heritage, creativity, and economic growth. Beyond culture, Oba Adetona strongly believed in advancing his people. He championed education, development, unity, and responsible leadership. He understood that preserving tradition must go hand in hand with preparing future generations for opportunity and progress. That vision continues to shape Ijebuland today.'
He also acknowledged and commended the steady leadership of the Regent and Acting Awujale, Olorogun Sonny Folorunsho Kuku, noting his calm stewardship and dedication to continuity, which reflected the enduring strength and stability of the Ijebu traditional institution.
Driving Culture, Enterprise, and Community Growth
On the bank's support for Ojude Oba, the GMD stated: 'For over 20 years, FCMB has remained a committed partner of the Ojude Oba Festival. Our support amplifies a longstanding belief in the importance of preserving heritage, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth. Today, Ojude Oba stands as a cultural celebration and a driver of enterprise and economic activity. Its growing impact supports livelihoods, strengthens communities, and reinforces the values that will shape the future of Ijebuland.'
FCMB's grand support for the Ojude Oba Festival indeed serves as a lesson for other blessed personalities, corporate or otherwise, to embrace to guarantee the cultural revival everyone craves. With all hands on deck, including the indigenes, the Ogun State Government, and a company like FCMB, it is not surprising that the festival is a resounding success.
Arguably the biggest fashion parade on the continent and beyond, the Ojude Oba Festival showcased the best of Yoruba dresses, such as aso oke, aran, ankara, and adire, along with fabrics from other worlds, including exotic damask and lace varieties, flowing in variegated colors and marvelous styles. Beyond fashion, it was also a panorama of songs and poetic vibrations with which the regberegbe celebrated the monarchy while also asserting their supremacy over others.
Music, Commerce, and the Festival Economy
Who would forget the role played by chip-off-the-old-block apala maestro Musiliu Haruna Ishola, who ruled the bandstand from morning till evening? From the cultural to the historical, from the socio-political to the satirical, he kept many people dancing and singing along, with some gleefully blessing him with money. The artiste, whose limelight has shone for about two decades, also endlessly sang the praises of dignitaries like Governor Dapo Abiodun (the chief host, whose 66th birthday coincided with the 2026 Ojude Oba festival), former Governor Gbenga Daniel, All Progressives Congress governorship candidate Olamilekan Adeola Solomon (Yayi), and Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu. Beyond entertainment, heritage, and reunion values, the festival also provided locals with an opportunity to make money, as more people bought various products they had for sale.
