Group Chief Executive of FCMB Group, Ladi Balogun, has said the Ojude Oba Festival attracts visitors from across Nigeria and the diaspora, contributing to the growth of trade and tourism in Ijebuland, Ogun State, and Nigeria.
The FCMB Group Chief Executive urged Ijebu people to embrace the festival’s spirit of togetherness and use it as a springboard for further development and inspiration for younger generations.
The annual Ojude Oba Festival, a vibrant celebration of Ijebu culture and tradition, recently concluded with great success, witnessing the participation of 90 Regberegbe groups, a significant increase from 76 in 2023.
The surge indicates a rise in social cohesion, which is crucial in promoting unity and peaceful coexistence within the community. The festival attracted thousands of participants and visitors who showcased elaborate traditional attires, captivating dances, music, and impressive equestrian displays.
Affirming the economic and social development potential that could be harnessed from the festival through tourism, Ogun State Governor Adedapo Abiodun committed to elevating the Ojude Oba Festival to a global stage.
He envisions the festival as a permanent fixture on the international tourism calendar and it’s listing as one of the festivals backed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). FCMB Group Plc., a major sponsor of the Ojude Oba Festival, recognises the festival’s significant contribution to social cohesion and development. By celebrating shared cultural heritage, promoting unity among diverse groups, and strengthening community bonds, the Ojude Oba Festival fosters a favourable environment for socioeconomic development.