Why Awujale Was Absent From Ojude Oba

The Coordinator for the 2025 Ojude Oba festival and former Commissioner of Information, Dr. Fassy Yusuff, has disclosed the reason why Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, could not attend the annual festival held on Sunday at Ijebu Ode, noting that the Awujale was recuperating at home after being discharged from a Lagos hospital last Thursday.

Yusuff stated this while speaking on why the paramount ruler was conspicuously absent at this year’s biannual festival.

However, many dignitaries who had come from far and near to witness this year’s Ojude Oba, including tourists, noticed the conspicuous absence of the highly revered 91-year-old traditional ruler, who is the symbol of the global festival.

The monarch, who has, over the years, received homage from the regberebges and the Baloguns, the horse riders, as a sign of respect for the reigning monarch, was represented by his wife, Olori Kemi Adetona, and there were other titled chiefs on the ground to support her, including the Obeni Oja of Ijebuland, Olorogun Sunny Kuku.

The coordinator, while clearing the air over whatever rumour the absence of the foremost traditional ruler might have generated, said that there was no need to worry as the royal father was only recuperating after being discharged from the hospital last Thursday.

In a text message sent to our correspondent, the former Commissioner for Information said, “Awujale was hospitalised in Lagos two weeks ago, but was discharged on Thursday. He is now recuperating at home. A normal situation. Nothing to worry about.”