Tuesday 13th August 2019 was the 3rd day after Ileya festival. It is no more news that every third day after Ileya in every year is always a peculiar day to all the sons and daughters of Ijebu, to gather, celebrate and pay homage to their king, Awujale. But the big news is, many prominent towns in Ogun State have joined the trend of celebrating Ojude Oba festival. City People gathered that at least 5 towns celebrated it elaborately.
One of the towns that celebrated 2019 Ojude Oba in grand style is Ago-Iwoye, under the able leadership of the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, HRH Oba AbdulRasaq Adesina Adenugba-Okokodana Meji II, Ekun Erigba, who initiated the idea several years ago with due permission from the originator of Ojude Oba festival, HRM Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona-Ogbagba II, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
City People can reveal authoritatively that Ago Iwoye did not just start the Ojude Oba celebration. It’s been on for 15 years. But not many people know.
Ago Iwoye 2019 Ojude Oba was a huge success. It was a gathering of prominent sons and daughters of Ago Iwoye. They all stormed the Ebumawe’s palace to pay homage to their king. City People Assistant Editor, SUNDAY ADIGUN and Photo Journalist, FEMI ADELEKE were at Ebumawes palace and here we serve you the blow by blow account of how the event unfolded.
EBUMAWE’S PALACE CAME ALIVE
2019 Ago Iwoye Ojude Oba Festival was held at the Ebumawe Palace. It was a beautiful Tuesday morning at the palace. As at 8:00 am, every hand was busy, decorating, arranging chairs and settings of the stage. All the committees were on their toes to make sure that everything goes as planned. Several tents were mounted both in and out of the palace field. Different inscriptions were written with banners on each tent to demarcate regberegbe’s sitting position. Musicians were busy setting up their equipment and instruments. Some of the town women who are traders are busy setting up goods to sell. Everybody was in a festive mood. There are different signage’s that have the picture of Kabiyesi, greetings from different Regberegbe for this year Ago Iwoye Ojude-Oba.
ARRIVAL OF EBUMAWE
HRH Oba Abdulrasak Adesina Adenugba stormed the event ground majestically, not even minding if people are on the ground or not. It was gathered that he was also coming from Ijebu-Ode where he went to pay his homage to Awujale before the commencement of his own. Kabiyesi, upon his appearance on the field, moved straight to his chair and sat for close to an hour before the event officially kicked off. That shows he’s a man of principle and discipline, who do not take people for granted. Though, he later aired his displeasure during the program on how people came late for this year Ojude-Oba.
ARRIVAL OF ALL SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF AGO IWOYE
Soon after the appearance of Ebumawe, Ago Iwoye sons and daughters started coming in one after the other. Some came with their friends while some came with their siblings. Regberegbes started coming in, sitting according to their reserved tent. Everybody looks so beautiful and gorgeously dressed. Iyalojas were on point. Their uniform clothes were one of the eye catches color on this fateful day. And the event kicked off with light music from the band.
OOU STUDENTS ON THE BANDSTAND
They are powerful singers. They thrilled the guests with their songs. They are the students of Department of performing arts, Olabisi Onabanjo University as led by their HOD, Mrs. O.T Oladipupo.
AND THE IMAMS AND ALFAS ARRIVED
Ably led by the Chief Imam of Ago Iwoye, Alhaji Alli Shittu, who was also the spiritual father of the day, all the Ago Iwoye Imams and Alfas were very much on ground. Apart from the Chief Imam who seated on the high table other Alfas and Imams sat at the left side of the field when you are coming in.
MEET MEMBERS AGO IWOYE 2019 OJUDE OBA PLANNING COMMITTEE
They are 12 in numbers. They are the one behind the success of Ago Iwoye 2019 Ojude Oba under the able leadership of the Chairman, a man who has recorded several successes of Ojude Oba for good 12 years, Alhaji M. Sola Bello. Other committee members include; Alhaji Sheu Adegberin-Vice Chairman, Alfa AmbaliIbraheem –Gen Secretary, Alhaji (Oloritun) Olufemi Odufuwa-Assistant Gen. Secretary, Alhaji Abdullateef Salaudeen (Bojowa) – P.R Logistics, Mr. Tope Ogunfodunrin-Special Duties, Mrs. Omolayo Alli-Treasurer, AlhajiYesirYisau-Coordinator, AlhajiWaheed Ore Anobi-PRO, Alhaji Alubankudi Jamiu-Member, AlhajiSheu Abdul, Alhaji Ganiyu Adebanjo.
ATTACKER STORMED THE VENUE
Guess who showed up during the presentation and cultural dance by the students of the department of performing arts, Olabisi Onabanjo, Ogun State House of Rep, Abdulmojeed Adesegun popularly called Attacker. He came in with his entourage. You need no one to tell you that he’s a man of the people, loved by his constituency, as he was greeting from one table to the other, smiling and hugging some of his mates. Attacker is one of the prominent members of Egbe Bobagunte. He also wore the same with them though he seated beside Olori Adenike Adenugba on the high table.
MEET ALL THE BALOGUNS
The duty of Baloguns at every Ojude Oba celebration cannot be taken with levity. In fact, they always bring life to the event, why? Because of the way they usually dazzle with their horses when it is time for the horse ride. Ago Iwoye Baloguns were 9 in numbers and they were all expected to be at the Ojude-Oba, but many of them couldn’t make it due to one reason or the other. It was gathered that some are sick; some recently lost their wives while some are of age. Nevertheless, 3 Baloguns made it to the event and they dazzled as expected of them. Alhaji (Chief) S.O. Ambali- Balogun Adinni, Ago Iwoye pulled the entire crowd when he came in. He stormed in with his children, wives, neighbors and well-wishers. The sound of drums and trumpet from the bands that followed him attracted many guests to their side. They are so many that came with him, singing, dancing and rejoicing as they made their way to greet Ebumawe. As if that was not enough, Alhaji (Engr.) Sefiu Adesina Rasak-Balogun of Isamuro triumphant entry became the talk of the town. His horse rider alerted everyone when he ran in. young men with local guns jubilated and fired the gun in air severally. It was a rowdy moment but attracted lots of people because; traditionally that was how Ojude Oba is to be celebrated. And just when we thought we’ve had it all Alhaji (Chief) Safi Olalekan Quadri, Balogun Adinni of Odosinusi appeared with his brother, Deputy Speaker Kadiri Maba on their horses. There was a rain of money from the two brothers as they equally dazzled with their horses. Other Ago Iwoye Baloguns are; Alhaji Gbadeges in Feyisola- the 1stBalogunAdinni of Ibipe, Alhaji (Chief) Obabi Adesanya-Asiwaju Balogun of Ago Iwoye, Alhaji Fatai Arowosola Onitilo-Balogun Adinni of Idode, Alhaji (Prince) Adeyemi Oke-Balogun Adinni of Igan-Osule caliphate, Alhaji Fasasi Sola Quadri-Balogun Adinni of Imere quarters and Alhaji Olowonimoyin Jelili-Balogun Adinni of Imosu.
BAALES, OLORITUNS, REGBEREGBES AND OJUDE OBA COMMITTEE MEMBERS PAY HOMAGE
And the moment we’ve all been waiting finally came, the moment to pay homage to the king, HRH Oba Abdulrasak Adesina Adenugba. All the Iyalojas were the first to call by the MC to pay their homage. They came with different farm proceeds like Yam, Plantain and many more. The scope of the homage is to march to the high table where the king is seated, greet him and pray for him while he also prays back for them. After Iyalojas homage, Baales and Olorituns were invited before Regberegbes were also invited. Among the Regberegbes that were on ground are; Egbe Bobakeye Ago Iwoye 1956-1958, Egbe Bobagunte Okunrin ati Obinrin Ago Iwoye 1959-1961, Egbe Jagunmolu Ago Iwoye aged grade traditional association 1965-1967, Egbe Jagunmolu Ago Iwoye 1965-1967, Egbe Arobayo Ago Iwoye 1968-1970, EgbeArobayo Ago Iwoye Okunrin ati Obinrin 1968-1970, Egbe Tobalase Okunrin ati Obinrin Ago Iwoye 1971-1973, EgbeObayori Ago Iwoye 1977-1979, Egbe Mayegun Okunrin ati Obinrin Ago Iwoye 1974-1976 and EgbeGbobaniyi Ago Iwoye 1962-1964.
JASMINE ELLA DID WONDERS
Let’s not forget to mention that, the beautiful decoration of the event was done by Jasmine Ella events. She is specialized in event planning and coordination as well. The business is owned by Mrs. Oluwakemi Oyebanjo.
