How Glo Boosted This Year’s Ojude Oba To Mark 20 Years Of Bankrolling Talk-Of-The-Town

This year’s edition of the Globacom-sponsored Ojude Oba Festival unfolded in grand style on Sunday in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, as the telecoms giant marked its 20th consecutive year of supporting the cultural showpiece.

The company’s generosity shone through spectacularly with the distribution of cars, tricycles, power generators, and other valuable items, adding extra glamour to an already colourful event.

The festival, renowned for its cultural splendour, drew dignitaries from across the country, including the Governor of Ogun State, Chief Dapo Abiodun; the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism & Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa-Musawa; and the Olorogun Sunny Kuku, the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland. Almost 100 Regberegbe groups showcased dazzling displays of colour, culture, and tradition as they competed for prominence and accolades.

The Balogun families also delivered an impressive spectacle with their deft horse-riding displays, parading through the grounds to pay homage to the Awujale of Ijebuland, following the Eid celebrations—a tradition steeped in centuries of history.

In his goodwill message, Governor Abiodun lauded the Awujale’s over six decades of reign as one marked by “purposeful leadership, progressive vision and unwavering commitment to the upliftment of Ijebuland and the entire Ogun State.”

The Minister, Barrister Musawa, also commended the festival as a shining example of “the richness of our cultural diversity and the resilience of our traditional institutions in preserving history for future generations.”

As part of its two-decade-long commitment to Ojude Oba, Globacom seized the opportunity to reward different segments of Ijebu society. The company generously distributed premium Basmati rice to all the Regberegbe groups, celebrating their cultural pride and participation.

Highlighting the festival was the presentation of an array of mouth-watering prizes. Two brand-new cars, four tricycles, power-generating sets, grinding machines, and sewing machines found their way into the hands of deserving winners.

Among the winners was 52-year-old Opeoluwa Osisanwo, who received the keys to a brand-new car after being nominated by the Ijebu community for his years of dedicated service as Secretary of the Ojude Oba Festival Planning Committee. Opeoluwa, a proud member of Egbe Tobalase Okunrin, expressed his gratitude: “I never knew people were watching me. I was just serving my land of birth to the best of my ability.” He extended his thanks to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, and the Planning Committee for the opportunity to serve despite being the youngest member.

Another car winner, Idowu Olabisi, a trader from Ijebu Igbo, was overwhelmed with joy. She said that Globacom’s gift came as a complete surprise at Eid, describing it as “a spectacular gift at this time.”

Four brand-new tricycles (Keke) were also presented to delighted winners: Hassan Toheeb, a businessman from Ijebu Itele; Adenike Olanrewaju, a plank seller at Molipa, Ijebu Ode; Gazal Temitope, a trader based in Olisa, Ijebu Ode; and Lawal Tosin, a carpenter in Ijebu Ode.

As Globacom celebrated 20 years of sponsorship, this year’s Ojude Oba Festival underscored the company’s unwavering commitment to cultural preservation and community development. Indeed, with its consistent support, Globacom has transformed Ojude Oba into a talk-of-the-town celebration that keeps getting bigger and better every year.