Awujale Absent from 2025 Ojude Oba Celebration
The Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, was conspicuously absent at the 2025 edition of the Ojude Oba Festival, which took place on Sunday in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
Held annually three days after Eid-el-Kabir, the festival is a cultural spectacle that brings together Ijebu sons and daughters in a colorful celebration of tradition, featuring regal horse displays, fashion, drumming, and homage to the monarch.
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Oba Adetona, who has long been the central figure at the event, did not attend this year’s gathering. Instead, his wife, Olori Kemi Adetona, stood in his place, representing him during the proceedings.
Although the palace has yet to issue an official explanation, sources close to the royal household suggested that the revered 91-year-old king opted to stay away due to his advanced age and the need to limit public engagements.
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A senior official familiar with the matter clarified that the king is not unwell but is deliberately scaling back appearances as a result of age-related physical constraints.
Attempts to contact the 2025 Ojude Oba Festival coordinator, Fassy Yusuf, for comments were unsuccessful as of Monday, as calls and messages had gone unanswered.