By The 2026 Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode will be dedicated to honoring the legacy of the late Awujale of ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Organizers confirmed on Tuesday, debunking claims that the festival would be canceled following the Monarch’s death last July.
During a world press conference at the Awujale palace on Tuesday, Prof Fassy Yusuf, Professor of Mass Communication explained the theme of the year’s festival, “Ojude Oba 2026: Celebrating The Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona”, which was inspired by the remarkable contributions of the late traditional ruler, who devoted his time for the Ijebu people and also his transformational strides in governance.
He stated that “Throughout his illustrious reign, Oba Adetona broke barriers, demystified age-long jinxes, redefined the institution of monarchy, and repositioned the Ijebu Nation on the global cultural and socio-political landscape”
He further expressed that his leadership brought development and prestige to the land, “His leadership brought renewed prestige, unity, development and pride to the traditional institution, While his wisdom and progressive disposition changed the narrative of kingship in Nigeria and beyond.
The 2026 edition of Ojude Oba Festival, therefore, serves not only as a celebration of culture and heritage, but also as a solemn tribute to the longest- reigning monarch in the history of ijebuland, a revered royal icon whose legacies remain indelible and whose impact will continue to resonate across generations.”
He added that Ojude Oba cannot he halted because of a temporary vacancy on the throne. He disclosed that the history, tradition and the collective will of the Ijebu people have prevailed because the festival transcends personalities as it is a timeless cultural heritage deeply rooted in the identity, pride and unity of the Ijebu Nation.
“It is therefore, with great pride, confidence and a deep sense of responsibility that we announce to the world today that the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival shall hold with all its grandeur and splendour by the grace of Almighty God.
The grand finale of the 2026 edition of the Ojude Oba Festival is expected to hold on Friday, May 29, 2026, being two days after the celebration of Eid-el-Adha (Ileya Festival).” he noted.
Prior before the press conference, there has been rumours that the Ojude Oba Festival will not hold because of the vacant seat of Awujale. The organizers already shed light, insisting that the cultural celebration is rooted in institutional tradition rather than the personality of a reigning monarch. They cited cases in the past where a late monarch or revered monarch was unavailable for one reason or another yet the festival still took place.
