Display Of Cultural Beauty, Unity As Olu-Epe Of Epe Hosts Ojude-Oba Festival

• The Ojude-Oba festival is an annual festival peculiar to people of faith in Southwest Nigeria.

• It is usually celebrated on the 2nd or 3rd day of the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.

• The festival gives the indigenes of a community, who come from far and near, the opportunity to unite and pay homage to the king.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the beauty of Epe’s culture and unity was on full display on Friday as the town’s indigenes celebrated the Ojude-Oba Epe 2023 festival.

The festival is celebrated annually by the indigenes of Epe.

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The 2023 edition, which was hosted by His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Shefiu Tunji Adewale, Bamgbopa Eshilokun 1, Olu-Epe of Epe Kingdom, was held at the Ogunmodede Secondary School, Epe, Lagos State.

Epe indigenes, including traditional rulers, businesspeople, politicians, traders, and others, in and outside Nigerians, graced the colourful occasion, which featured everything from music to prayers and cultural displays.

Besides showcasing the rich culture of Epe, the festival underlined the unity between the town’s Muslim and Christian communities as people of all faith attended.

The event kicked off with a prayer from the Chief Imam of Epe land, Abdul-Lateef Oladapo, before attendees recited the national anthem.

The Master of Ceremony, Alfa Awo Jesu, subsequently introduced eminent personalities in attendance, including the Chairman of the Day, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun, the Executive Chairman, Epe local government.

Other dignitaries present included Hon. Wale Raji, a member of the House of Representatives representing Epe Federal Constituency and Hon. Abiodun Tobun, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Epe Constituency I.

Delivering the welcome address, the Chairman of the Ojude-Oba planning committee, Hon. Tobun, thanked the Olu-Epe of Epe for appointing him to lead the committee.

While welcoming all special guests and dignitaries, the lawmaker congratulated the governor on his re-election into office.

He also prayed for peace and progress in the community and wished the king a long reign.

In a keynote address delivered on behalf of Sanwo-Olu, Princess Animashaun prayed for Epe indigenes and the Olu-Epe of Epe.

The Epe LG chairman also encouraged everyone to live in peace and harmony.

Meanwhile, there was a procession of different age groups, clubs, and clans, who all matched to pay homage to the king, wearing different attires and showcasing different dance steps.

Groups such as Egbe Oniroseli, Egbe Gbobaniyi, Egbe Tobalase, and Egbe Bobagbayi, Egbe Bobajoko led the procession.

Oba Adewale subsequently prayed for all sons and daughters of Epe land, including guests, dignitaries, and well-wishers of the community.

After a closing prayer by the representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), legendary Fuji singer King Wasiu Ayinde (Marshall) mounted the stage to entertain the enthusiastic audience.

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The energetic crowd danced rigorously to the sweet tunes of the Fuji musician’s music.

See more photos from the event below:

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