Tope OYEKAN

Iperu Remo, a prominent town in Ikenne Local Government area of Ogun State, Nigeria  is presently agog as the community celebrates the 2024 Ojude Oba festival tomorrow.

Indigenes and residents of the town are already in a celebration mood as preparations are already at an advanced stage towards hosting a remarkable and memorable event.

The event which is divided into three sessions, shall be held at the Alaperu Palace, and Oja Ale Square, Iperu.

The morning session takes place at the Alaperu Palace, and this shall feature prayer, lecture, and homage to the Alaperu and other royal fathers by the Iperu Muslim Community.

Chairman for the morning session is Alhaji Moroof Idowu OGUNNUBI.

Thereafter, the train shall move to Oja Ale for the afternoon session which shall witness the reception of guests and procession by the Ojude Oba Legends and participating clubs, groups, associations, and families, as they shall be paying homage to the Chief Host of the Day and the Alaperu of Iperu, His Royal Highness, Oba Adeleke Adelekan IDOWU-BASIBO (Odoru V); and his brother Obas, including the the Ebi of Idena, His Royal Highness, Oba Lukman Oluwadamilare Adebambo SALAMI (Sebu II); the Onimeji of Imeji, His Royal Highness, Oba Kayode OLAYEBO OREMULE-SODA (Gbadewolu I); the Alagbehinsa of Agbehinsa, His Royal Highness, Oba Isiaka Adekanmi OGUNNAIKE (Odumowu I); and the Alaregun of Iregun, His Royal Highness, Oba Abraham Adedoyin OGUNFOWORA ( Ewunla Orijajogun I)

The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo ABIODUN, CON, who is an illustrious son of the town, is the Special Guest of Honour; while the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan FAGBAYI; and Executive Chairman, Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Olusegun OGUNLEYE, are Guests of Honour.

Father of the Day is the Balogun and BabaOba of Iperu, and Odole of Ife, Sir Dr. Chief Kesington ADEBUTU, CON; while the Iyalaje of Lagos State, Alhaja Toyin AFOLABI, is the Mother of the Day.

Also on the list of dignitaries are Alhaji Abdulganiyu MURITALA, who shall serve as the Chairman of the Day; and another illustrious indigene of the town, and the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sakirat MADEIN, who is the Chairperson of the Day.

An array of indigenous artistes have been lined up to perform at the afternoon session. These are Tobi DAVIES; King SOLOMON; Quazeem ONAOLA; Semiat USMAN (Alaseyori); Lukman LAWAL (Awoko Anobi); and Queen Tosin ENIBA.

The night session shall also be held at Oja Ale Square starting from 10 pm till dawn, and shall have Alhaji Engr. Sikiru SALAMI as its Chairman, while the fuji sensation, Alhaji Wasiu Alabi PASUMA, shall entertain the audience with his brand of fuji music.

The Ojude Oba Iperu which dates back to 1882 during the reign of Oba OKUPE (Agbonmagbe II), is usually held every 3rd day of Ileya festival to pay homage to the king, as participants which cuts across religious affiliations gather together to honour the king and celebrate the town's socio-cultural heritage and promote oneness among themselves.

The 2024 celebration is coming on the heels of the resuscitation of the comatose event by the Chief Babajide OYETI-led Iperu Development Association which constituted the Ojude Oba Iperu Planning Committee under the chairmanship of Otunba Taiwo OYEBANJO.

The planning committee was inaugurated by the Alaperu on 9th September, 2023, while the formal unveiling of the 2024 edition was also held at the Alaperu's palace on the 8th of October, 2023.