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•Gen. T.Y. DANJUMA To Be Special Guest
•GOLDSBERG Beer Is Official Beer Sponsor
•FCMB, GLO As Big Sponsors
On behalf of Kabiyesi Alaiyeluwa, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR., J.P., Awujale and paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, and the good people of Ijebu Ode, the Ojude Oba Festival Committee welcomes you to the World Press Conference. The essence of this World Press Conference is to sensitise you on the 2014 edition of the Annual Ijebu Ode Ojude Oba festival. We thank God for journey mercies.
OJUDE OBA FESTIVAL- THE BACKGROUND
The Annual Ojude Oba Festival- is a festival that is synonymous with Ijebu Ode and has been celebrated by us for about two centuries. The festival is unique and spectacular to the Ijebu of South-West Nigeria. Unarguably, it is the most celebrated festival in South-West Nigeria. Even though it had its origin in Islam, it is now being celebrated by all and sundry, that is, Muslims, Christians, Traditionalists, and Non-believers. Indeed, the Ojude Oba Festival of Ijebu Ode is a classic example and manifestation of religious tolerance. History has it that in the 19th century when Islam made inroad into Ijebuland, the reigning monarch then prevailed on his subjects to give those professing the new religion the latitude to operate according to the dictates of their conscience.
There was no war, there was no rancour. After observing the Eid-El Kabir (the Greater Beiram++) including the exchange of gifts and the slaughtering of the sacrificial ram, and resting the following day, the Muslims leaders and the new converts decided to pay homage to the then reigning monarch and to thank him for his magnanimity and accommodation, and the religious liberty he gave them. As time went by, this tradition metamorphosed into what is now known as Ojude Oba Festival and has been embraced by not only Ijebus at home and in the diaspora, but also by millions of peoples within and outside Nigeria. The Ojude Oba Festival is a classic lesson in religious tolerance. Indeed, this festival, nay religious tolerance is the gift of the Ijebus to Nigeria and the rest of the world.
Our present monarch, Kabiyesi Alaiyeluwa, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who has been on the thrown since January 1960 has succeeded in globalising, repackaging and rebranding the festival. Some few years ago, it was discovered that the forecourt and lawns of the main palace were getting inadequate for the hosting of the tumultuous annual guests, tourists, age grades, Baloguns/Horse riders and their followers, crowd, etc. After securing the yard of the defunct Public Works Department lying directly opposite the Aafin Awujale, Oba (Dr.) S. K. Adetona, mobilised his subjects and their friends to construct in record time, a multi-billion naira monumental edifice now christened OBA ADETONA GOLDEN JUBILEE CENTRE. The centre boasts of several unique facilities comparable to any other one elsewhere. Among the features in the palace annexe is the Ijebu National Museum that we encourage you to visit before you leave Ijebu Ode.
The festival is not all about equestrian display, parade of culture and tradition, merry making and fun fare, it provides the Ijebu nation the opportunity to take stock, embark of self-help projects, reunite with family members and acquaintances, and supplicate to the Almighty God. The festival also boosts commerce and trade in its entirety as commercial and trading activities are at their pick during the festival. The festival touches every spectrum of life in Ijebuland. All the facilities- hotels, restaurants, artisans, craftsmen, transporters, professionals, market women and men, etc. are fully engaged with several multiplier effects.
The grand finale of the 2014 edition will most likely hold Monday, October 6, 2014, that is, two days after the Eid-El Kabir festival (Greater Beiram)
2014 THEME
We have careful chosen the theme for this year’s edition to reflect our belief in ourselves. The theme is ‘Our People, Our Heritage’. The Ojude Oba Festival is our people’s heritage and it is our gift to the nation that is constantly in search of peace, harmony and development. We are convinced that the Ijebu model is worth bequeathing to the nation.
THE AGE GRADES (REGBEREGBE) ON PARADE
Since time immemorial, the age grade system has been the focal of development and socialisation in Ijebuland and it was rejuvenated and re-jigged some two decades ago by the present monarch of Ijebu kingdom, Oba S. K. Adetona, CFR., Ogbagba II.
About 40 female and male age grades will be on parade. The first, first runner-up and second runner-up in both categories will be awarded cash prizes by the main sponsor, Globacom.
THE BALOGUNS ON EQUESTRIAN PARADE
This year, about 20 various family-warlords will be putting their horse riding prowess on display as it is characteristics of them. They are expected to file in for the equestrian display in an organised manner with the Osi Balogun, Otun Balogun and Balogun families taking the rear. Globacom, the major sponsor of the festival will also be awarding prizes to the first, first runner-up and second runner-up family war-lords.
2014 SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR
Characteristically, we went in search of one of the nation’s patriots and elder statesmen as the Special Guest of Honour for the 2014 edition. Our choice is a retired Chief of Army Staff and one of the principal actors in the nation’s geo-political history. He is retired Lt. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, GCON.
A distinguished and astute businessman, Lt. General T. Y. Danjuma is Chairman and owner of various businesses including Nigeria-America Line Ltd, Comet Shipping Agencies Ltd., Best Land & Sea Services Ltd., South Atlantic Petroleum Ltd., and TV Holdings Ltd. He is also the Chairman of May and Baker Nigeria Plc and Chairman of Unitrust Insurance Company.
Though a consummate military man by training and a successful entrepreneur by occupation, General T. Y. Danjuma is quite active in Christian religious affairs. General Danjuma believes in leadership by example and transparency has been his hallmark. He believes that leaders must be their brothers’ keepers through charity and compassion; that nobody is too poor to give either in cash or in kind. For more than twenty years, Danjuma has been the Grand Patron and the main benefactor of ‘Mission to Save the Helpless (MITOSATH)’- an NGO specialised in the treatment of River Blindness and other neglected tropical diseases. He is also the Founder of T. Y. Danjuma Foundation, a philanthropy dedicated to the provision of free primary healthcare, education and poverty alleviation for the rural community. In recognition of his immense contribution in the fight against river blindness, the World Bank gave a special award to General Danjuma in 2002.
Owing to his sterling qualities, General T. Y. Danjuma was conferred with a number of national and international honours and titles. He was awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON in 1979. Furthermore, Danjuma was awarded honorary doctorate degree by University of Liberia in February 1990; Benue State University in February 1997; Nassarawa State University in February 2006; Nigerian Defence Academy in September in 2008; Ajayi Crowther University in November 2010; Bingham University in 2011; Bayero University Kano in 2012; Federal University of Technology, Akure in 2012 and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 2013.
General Danjuma has also received national honours from the Republic of Somalia, Benin Republic, Poland and France. Furthermore, Danjuma is the Abonta of Wukari, the Ochiagha of Obowu-Etiti in Imo State, the Jagunla of Akure, the Jiji of Karu, Nassarawa State, and the Jarmai of Zazzau, Kaduna State. General Danjuma is married with five children.
Accompanying the amiable general will be his loving wife, Daisy, who is a lawyer and who has served this nation as a Senator. We have also invited several State Governors, Diplomats, Federal and State legislators, Ministers, captains and barons of business, lovers of culture, quintessential tourists, among others to join us for the grand finale. Invitation has also been extended to the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.
SPONSORS
Ojude Oba Festival has been attracting a sizeable number of sponsors over the years. These sponsor include Globacom (the main sponsor), First City Monument Bank Plc, Ogun State Government, Diamond Bank PLC., Nigerian Breweries PLC., Julius Berger Nigeria Plc., Coca Cola, WEMPCO and 7up Bottling PLC.
GLOBACOM
This indigenous telecommunication giant is not only the most innovative network in the country; it is also the fastest growing in Africa and the Middle East, with operations in Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic. It has also won a licence to operate in Cote d’Ivoire. Globacom is one of the few indigenous companies providing succour not only to millions of Nigerians but to several others in different parts of the world.
Globacom’s simultaneous introduction of Per-Second-Billing system when it made its debut (when it was launched) was historic as it was the first time such a scheme was introduced by any network in Nigeria. The other networks had no choice than to tow the line of the pacesetter, Globacom. Indeed, the history of global system for mobile telecommunication in Nigeria can never be complete without the name of Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr. (GCON) being written in gold being a man who did the unthinkable with the Per-Second-Billing system for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. The company has a good number of products and services that are not only affordable but equally comparable with the standards obtainable in advanced countries.
Globacom’s partnership with Ojude Oba Festival is in line with its philosophy of supporting traditional institutions and culture. To this end, it has been sponsoring major festivals across the country. Its partnership with us has further enhanced the festival and added to its tourist value. Indeed, it is one partnership that has been mutually beneficial. We cannot thank Globacom enough.
OGUN STATE GOVERNMENT
Successive administrations in Ogun State have been quite supportive. The administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Fca., CON., has been a pillar of support in the projection of Ojude Oba Festival to the outside world. Through its Ministry of Culture and Tourism, His Excellency, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, has been given enormous support to the festival. Since coming into office, Governor Amosun has never missed attending any edition. The heavy presence of the State’s participation and presence at every edition resonates every year. Indeed, the participation of the State Government at today’s Press Conference is an eloquent testimony to the importance it attaches to the festival.
FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC
This bank of our people is a member of FCMB Group Plc, which is one of the leading financial services’ institutions in Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their respective segments. Having successfully transformed to a retail and commercial banking-led group, FCMB expects to continue to distinguish itself by delivering exceptional services, while enhancing the growth and achievement of personal and business aspirations through the offering of innovative, easy to use and helpful products and services.
FCMB has been a major supporter of the Ojude Oba Festival for more than a decade and is indeed proud to be associated with the Festival. FCMB believes that the festival has been a major unifying factor for the great people of Ijebuland for over a century and that it is an avenue for promoting a rich cultural African heritage to the global stage.
FCMB has been particularly content and committed to the longevity of the Festival, realizing that globalization and social transformation, though essential, could also become a threat to the cultural identity of a people through cultural imperialism, if the culture and traditions of the people are not held sacrosanct. The Bank recognizes that respect for our heritage is important as a catalyst for cultural diversity and a guarantee for sustainable development.
For FCMB, the Ojude Oba Festival is a major platform through which it carries out its CSR initiatives with a key focus on Economic Empowerment. The annual display of rich cultural heritage via the Festival attracts tourists from across the globe and Ijebu indigenes in the Diaspora, boosting trade and the hospitality sector in the region. The event remains a unique platform for the locals to promote their wares to a broad range of visitors thus promoting economic growth and stability.
GOLDBERG BEER
This is one of the products of the Nigerian Breweries Plc. It is making its first appearance at the festival as an associate sponsor and we are hoping that our partnership will be enduring and mutually beneficial. We have been authoritatively informed that the company will be putting together a Goldberg Beer Village in Ijebu Ode from next week until the end of the festival for relaxation and music carnival.
We also immensely thank our other associate partners including JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC., DIAMOND BANK PLC., Coca Cola, WEMPCO, and 7up Bottling PLC. among others. We continue to pray for a more clement business environment.
SECURITY AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
We appreciate the importance of security and traffic management as a critical success factor. Consequently, we are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure a hitch-free festival, this year as always. Since we cannot be discussing the details in public, please be content that all security agencies are working assiduously to ensure adequate security of lives and property before, during and after the festival.
MOBILISATION AND SENSITISATION
The Ojude Oba Festival Committee has been holding regular consultative meetings with various stakeholders including the Ward Heads and the various ethnic groups in Ijebu Ode, to ensure adequate mobilisation and sensitisation of our people. It is salutary to report that we are making tremendous progress in this regard.
HEALTH CUM MEDICAL
To cope with health cum medical exigencies, we are partnering with the Ogun State Ministry of Health and its agencies, and some non-governmental organisations to put their facilities at the disposal of the Festival Committee throughout the duration of the festival. They have graciously obliged us.
THE FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE
The composition of the Festival Organising Committee is as follows: Otunba (Bar.) Wahab O. Osinusi (Otunba Fidipote of Ijebu), Chairman; Chief (Bar.) Olu B. Okuboyejo ( Obasewa of Ijebu), Vice Chairman; Otunba (Alhaji) Sikiru O. Alatise, Secretary; and Chief (Bar.) Fassy A. O. Yusuf (Baagbimo of Ijebu), Coordinator. Others are Chief Jimoh A. Odunuga (Balogun of Ijebu Ode), Member; Chief Agboola Alausa (Otun Balogun of Ijebu Ode), Member; Chief Alade Shote (Osi Balogun of Ijebu Ode), Member; Chief (Mrs.) Bisi O. Osibogun (Omeso of Ijebu), Member; Giwa M. A. Odutayo (Chairman of Regberegbe Council), Member; Giwa (Chief) M. A. Oreagba (Mayeigun of Ijebu), Member; Gunte Tunde Alaga, Member; Bobayo Sina Okuleye, Member; and, Ope Osisanwo, Esq., Assistant Secretary.
CONCLUSION
We cannot end this conference without, once again, thanking members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm for the wonderful coverage of the 80th birthday activities of our amiable monarch, Alaiyeluwa, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland. May God continue to sanctify you (Amen). As the watchdog of the society, we pray that the Almighty God will continue to watch over and preserve you too (Amen).
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