The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described Ojude-Oba as a powerful symbol of peaceful coexistence, communal harmony, and cultural sophistication.
Speaking at the 2026 edition of the festival, Abiodun said his administration has deliberately positioned the festival as a flagship of Ogun State’s tourism development agenda in order to harness its enormous cultural and economic potential.
According to him, the state government is collaborating with critical stakeholders to further expand the festival’s global visibility while preserving the authentic heritage and traditions of the Ijebu people.
Abiodun noted that the 2026 edition of the festival carries deep historical significance as it is the first celebration since the passing of the revered Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
“This year’s Ojude-Oba Festival carries profound significance. It is the first celebration since the glorious transition of our revered monarch, Oba Sikiru Adetona, whose remarkable reign shaped and transformed the institution of traditional rulership in Nigeria,” he stated.
Abiodun commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for standing with the people of Ijebuland during the transition period following the monarch’s demise, saying the President’s support helped sustain peace, continuity, and stability in the land.
According to him, Ojude-Oba has evolved from a post-Eid homage-paying gathering into one of Africa’s most admired cultural festivals embraced by people of different faiths, backgrounds, and generations.
He urged the younger generation to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage handed down by their forebears, stressing that culture must continue to evolve without losing its essence.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Ojude-Oba Planning Committee, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, described the festival as a celebration of unity and continuity that provides an avenue for all sons and daughters of Ijebuland to reconnect with their roots and celebrate their identity.
