Digital solutions company Globacom dey mark historic milestone for this year Ojude Oba festival, wey dem dedicate to honour di memory and monumental achievements of di late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
Dis year celebration, wey be di 21st consecutive edition wey Globacom sponsor, get di theme “Ojude Oba 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona”, and e go happun for Festival Arena, opposite di royal palace for Ijebu Ode.
Di event serve as grand salute to di monarch wey pass away on July 13, 2025, after an eventful 65-year reign.
For a statement for Lagos, Globacom note say im long-standing commitment to di festival na because of Oba Adetona im unwavering devotion to di sustenance and promotion of Ijebu values, customs and traditions.
Di company emphasize say dis year edition hold deeper significance. According to Globacom, dis year edition no be just about sponsoring di festival as dem don do for over twenty years. E be about celebrating di exemplary legacies of di revered father, Oba Adetona, wey no spare any effort to put di festival on top enviable pedestal.
Oba Adetona dey credited with transforming Ojude Oba from local gathering to massive cultural spectacle wey unite Ijebu sons and daughters across all religious divides.
On April 2, 1960, Oba Adetona become di Awujale of Ijebuland, marking di beginning of 65-year era of growth, for di course of which Globacom officially begin im sponsorship of di Ojude Oba festival.
Di festival don evolve into global attraction, wey dey draw tourists and dignitaries from around di world. By continuing im sponsorship, Globacom reaffirm im mission to project di richness of Nigerian culture onto global stage.
Di company remain dedicated to ensuring say di seeds wey di late Awujale plant continue to flourish, keeping di vibrant spirit of Ijebuland alive for generations to come.
As preparations intensify for di 2026 Ojude Oba Festival, FCMB Group Plc don praise di cultural celebration for im growing impact for preserving heritage, promoting social cohesion and stimulating economic activities across communities.
Di financial institution describe di globally recognised festival as strong symbol of African cultural confidence and identity, noting say im influence now extend beyond tradition into tourism, enterprise and creative industries.
Speaking ahead of di festival scheduled for May 29 for Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, FCMB Divisional Head of Corporate Affairs, Diran Olojo, say Ojude Oba don evolve into modern cultural institution wey connect heritage with contemporary relevance.
Olojo note say Ojude Oba no longer simply cultural festival. E don become powerful expression of how African culture dey continue to evolve without losing im roots. According to am, wetin we dey witness na di meeting point of heritage and modern identity, where tradition no dey preserved as nostalgia, but dey lived confidently and projected to di world.
Dis year edition, wey get di theme “Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona,” go honour di late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, wey im reign help transform di festival into one of Africa most celebrated cultural events, wey dey attract tourists, creatives, entrepreneurs and investors from around di world.
FCMB note say im relationship with di festival span more than two decades, adding say di support don always reflect di Group recognition of di importance of enduring cultural institutions for preserving collective memory and supporting economic development.
According to di Group, Ojude Oba now sustain wide network of economic activities across hospitality, transportation, fashion, catering, photography, entertainment and tourism sectors.
Olojo state say at time when nations dey search for authentic expressions of identity and influence, culture don become one of Africa strongest assets. Festivals like Ojude Oba demonstrate say heritage and enterprise no be separate conversations. Culture dey create emotional connection, but e also dey create opportunity, visibility, confidence and economic value for communities.
FCMB also observe say younger Africans dey increasingly embrace tradition as form of identity and self-expression rather than obligation, wey dey contribute to di festival growing popularity among global audiences and di African diaspora.
Di Group reference cultural figure Farooq Oreagba as one of di personalities wey im appearances for di festival don help amplify Ojude Oba global visibility and contemporary appeal.
FCMB further pay tribute to di late Awujale for preserving di institution dignity over decades, while commending di Regent Awujale and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Olorogun (Dr. Sonny Kuku), for sustaining di kingdom cultural vision during di transition period.
Di Chairman of di Ojude Oba Festival Organising Committee, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, describe di event as symbol of unity and continuity among di Ijebu people. E say Ojude Oba remain one of di greatest cultural assets of di Ijebu people and important contribution to Nigeria cultural diplomacy.
E disclose say about 90 age-grade groups and 25 warrior families dey expected to participate for dis year celebrations.
FCMB also acknowledge di contributions of di Ogun State Government, di festival organising committee, community leaders and regberegbe groups for sustaining one of Nigeria most enduring cultural landmarks.
Rite Foods Limited don reaffirm im commitment to leveraging cultural partnerships as part of im broader brand engagement and community development strategy through continued sponsorship of di 2026 Ojude Oba Festival.
Widely recognised as one of Nigeria biggest cultural and tourism events, di Ojude Oba Festival don evolve beyond traditional celebration into major platform for economic activity, brand visibility, tourism promotion, and cultural preservation for Ogun State and across Nigeria.
Dis year edition, wey get di theme “Ojude Oba 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona,” honour di late Awujale of Ijebu-land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (GCON), wey im reign significantly contribute to di socio-economic and cultural development of Ijebu-land.
Rite Foods, wey dey operate major production facility for Ososa, Ogun State, say im continued sponsorship reflect di company long-term commitment to strengthening relationships with host communities while promoting Nigeria cultural heritage.
Speaking during di festival press conference, Brand Manager for Fearless Energy Drink, Olaniyi Aderuku, say di company connection to Ijebu-land extend beyond commercial operations. According to am, for Rite Foods, dem see community engagement as critical part of sustainable business growth. Dem investment for cultural initiatives like Ojude Oba reflect dem commitment to growing alongside di people and contributing meaningfully to preserving dem identity and heritage.
According to Aderuku, di partnership between Fearless Energy Drink and di Ojude Oba Festival align with di brand positioning around ambition, boldness, creativity, and self-expression. E note say di festival present strategic platform for consumer engagement, experiential marketing, and strengthening emotional connections between di company brands and consumers.
Aderuku add say as Nigeria leading energy drink brand, Fearless represent courage, ambition, and confidence. Ojude Oba reflect di same values through im rich culture, fashion, horsemanship, and di pride of people wey dey preserve tradition while embracing modernity.
E say consumers wey go attend di festival go experience range of Rite Foods products, including Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, Bigi Premium Drinking Water, Sosa Fruit Drink, Fearless Energy Drink, and di company sausage brands, through various product activations and engagement activities.
E stress say Rite Foods remain committed not only to investing for production capacity and technology, but also for initiatives wey dey promote social impact and cultural sustainability.
Coordinator of di Ojude Oba Festival Organising Committee, Fassy Yusuf, describe di festival as major cultural and economic platform wey dey promote unity, tourism, and communal development. Yusuf say dis year festival go feature di colourful regberegbe age-grade processions and equestrian displays by prominent warrior families, attractions wey continue to draw local and international visitors annually.
Also speaking, Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Oluwasesan Fagbayi, wey represent Governor Dapo Abiodun, say di Ojude Oba Festival don grow into significant driver of tourism, economic activity, and cultural branding for Ogun State. E add say di state government remain committed to supporting initiatives wey dey enhance di festival contribution to economic growth, cultural promotion, and social inclusion.
