As FCMB, Oreagba, Headline Show
- Safiu Kehinde
The 2026 edition of the Ojude Oba Festival has kicked off in grand style despite the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland.
Concerns had initially grown over the conduct of the annual traditional festival held after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration on account of the transition period created by the demise of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
NPO Reported that the renowned Ogun monarch passed away on the 13th of July 2025.
Adetona’s demise created a vacuum yet to be filled almost a year after his passing.
The succession process had largely been stalled by litigation cases and clashes among the crowned princes vying for the stool.
With the Fusengbuwa Ruling House’s screening exercise for the princes currently suspended by the Ogun state government, the celebrating a prestigious festival like the Ojude Oba without a king’s presence had raised concern with speculations of possible postponement of the event.
The Awujale Council of Chiefs and Baagbimo of Ijebuland, however allayed the concern as they affirmed that the event will hold as planned.
This motivated the organisers and ignited the spirit of the people who trooped out on Friday to showcase their heritage.
Headlining the 2026 Ojude Oba festival again is popular Nigeria businessman and socialite, Farooq Oreagba, who in collaboration with the First City Monumental Bank (FCMB) stunned the crowd with his appearance.
Oreagba arrived at the venue on horseback, an important feature of the festival, with a white traditional outfit embroidered with purple stitch works.
The socialite, whose elegant look at the 2024 edition of the festival brought him to limelight, also donned his signature cigar and black gloves with FCMB flags holstered behind him as he made his entrance.
Videos and pictures shared on X also showed series of colourful attires worn by different age groups also known as Regbe Regbe.