By Adesina Soyooye
The highly revered Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, was conspicuously absent from the glamorous and culture-driven Ojude Oba Festival which was celebrated on Sunday, June 8, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Ode, usually the centre of attention at the annual ceremony was nowhere close to the ceremony held on Sunday. He was represented at the well celebrated ceremony by his wife, Olori Kemi Adetona.
The Festival is usually, attended by thousands of guests and tourists and indigenes who dress up in various beautiful attires and display their rich cultural heritage which, for years, has been sponsored by GLO, founded by Mike Adenuga, a relation of Adetona.
Even though the reason behind the absence of the Awujale was a subject of speculation at the event, it has been strongly attributed to old age and its related ill-health. He is 91 years of age.
However, a Palace source said the Awujale was resting, having just been discharged from a Lagos hospital recently.
The festival is usually celebrated three days after the Eid-el-Kabir to pay homage to the Awujale with horse riders adding colour to it.
Present at the 2025 Festival was, among other very high profile guests, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
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