Ojude Oba (The King's Forecourt) is an ancient festival, celebrated by the Yoruba people of Ijebu-Ode, a major town in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria.
This annual festival usually takes place the third day after Eid al-Kabir (Ileya), to pay homage and show respect to the Royal Majesty, the Awujale of Ijebuland.
[1][2][3][4] During the course of the festivities, different cultural age groups known as regberegbe composed of indigenes, their friends, and associates far and near parade at the front courtyard of the king's palace on the third day of Eid al Kabir popularly referred to as "Ileya" in Yoruba language.
During the reign of Awujale Ademuyewo Afidipotemole in 1878, a slave identified as Alli who later became Alli-Tubogun began open practice of Islam.
Due to this one-man effort coupled with the endorsement of his master, Islam began to grow, attracting so many converts and by 1880, local mosques were built at many wards in Ijebu-Ode.
Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola, DJ Top and the trio of Mr Real, Idowest and Slim Case was also present in festival where they gave indigenes and guests the 2018 Glo Miss Ojude Oba Beauty pageant held at Equity Hotel.
[4] Ojude-Oba Festival is a one-day celebration of culture, fashion, glamour, candour, beauty and royalty as sons and daughters of Ijebuland.
[3][13][4] This is the heart of the ceremony as each group with both male and female counterparts are distinct either in their manner of appearance and style of dressing or by their dance patterns.
Some of the groups members are top managers, chief executive officers, head of industries and prominent traditional title holders.
The groups each has a recognisable face, like the Gbobaniyi, a group of middle-age men, that dress in rich traditional Aso-Oke, wield walking sticks and dance like conquerors, has former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel as its patron, while the female Gbobaleye are noted for gaiety and dance and has as member the popular Waka music star, Queen Salawa Abeni.
[3][13][4] The Ojude Oba festival is sponsored and supported by the incumbent Awujale, the people of Ijebu-Ode, individuals and some major corporate organizations in Nigeria.
Other sponsor of the festival are First City Monument Bank (FCMB), UAC of Nigeria, Fan Milk, The Seven-Up Bottling Company and MultiChoice and so many more.