Prayer, Food, Music As Odo-Noforija Indigenes Storm Aladeshoyin Palace For Ojude Oba Festival

By Judith Ukoh

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. Ojude Oba literally translates to “The frontage of the King”. It gives the indigenes of a community, who come from far and near, the opportunity to unite and pay homage to the king.

For this year’s celebration, Eko Hot Blog was at palace of the Alayeluwa, Oba Babatunde Olaogun Ogunlaja (JP) Kalejaiye II, the Aladeshoyin and paramount leader of Odo-Noforija Kingdom, Epe Division, for the 14th Annual interdenominational prayer for peace, progress and development of Odo-Noforija kingdom and its environs, as well as the Ojude-Oba festival.

The celebration, which took place on Thursday, June 29, 2023, united all indigenes of this community without barriers. The unique celebration had in attendance both Christians and Muslims, who came together to pray for the peace and progress of the community.

The programme began at 10am, with opening prayers from Christian and Muslim Clerics. The Muslim prayer was offered by Alhaji Yasir Olufowobi, the Chief Imam of Noforija central mosque, while the Christian prayer was said by Pastor D. T. Akande.

The welcome address was delivered by the Grand Mufti, Alhaji Banjo Olaoluwa. He welcomed the king, Oba Ogunlaja, other monarchs present, dignitaries, well-wishers and indigenes, all of whom came to grace the occasion in love and unity.

The Grand Mufti reiterated that the purpose of the gathering was to foster unity among community dwellers, especially those from different religious background.

The address was followed by the reading of the Quran by Ogunsanya Musa Okikiola.

Afterwards, the Reverend Canon Owolabi, representing the Christian sect, led a prayer session where he prayed for the unity, peace and progress of the community and Nigeria as a whole. He also prayed for long life and more wisdom for the king.

One of the major highlights of the celebration was the beautiful performance of students from the Bethsheda Home School of the Blind who graced the occasion. The students paid homage to the king, whom they described as a well loved Patron, and thrilled the audience with singing and dancing.

The king appreciated the students for their presentation with cash and food gifts. The king’s generosity was supported with more cash gift by Otunba T.J Abass, the Aremo of Epe kingdom, who is well known for his magnanimity in the community and beyond.

In his goodwill message to round off the interdenominational prayer, Oba Ogunlaja thanked everyone present, while encouraging the citizens to continue to live in the peace and harmony the community has come to be known for.

Thereafter, the celebration swung into full action with music, foods and drinks enjoyed by all who were present.

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