Kakalistiq.com reports that the Ojude Oba festival in Odo-Noforija was a vibrant celebration of unity, culture, and tradition, with His Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Babatunde Ogunlaja JP FMBE, the Aladeshonyin of Odo-Noforija Kingdom, at the heart of it. This year’s event, held on June 18, 2024, saw the revered royal father winning hearts and minds as he addressed critical issues on youth productivity and the respect for traditional values in the South-West.
Sons and daughters of the Odo-Noforija kingdom turned out in droves to support and celebrate the achievements of their king. “I am thrilled by the unity and support from our people,” said Oba Ogunlaja, expressing his excitement at the efforts being made by the indigenes to enhance the community.
One story that particularly moved Aladeshonyin was about a blind student from the Bethesda Home for the Blind who had secured admission to study law. “I became emotional when I heard about her achievement. I wondered how a blind person could study law and decided to support her tuition,” he shared, showcasing his deep commitment to philanthropy and education, which was exemplified by the donation of a ram and cash to the students.
Oba Ogunlaja also tackled pressing socio-economic issues, emphasizing the role of governance in economic prosperity while urging people not to blame the current administration for hardships.
“The governance of a country determines the socioeconomic prosperity of a people. Economic hardship should not be attributed to the leadership of President Bola Tinubu,” he remarked. He stressed that democracy promotes peaceful transitions through voting, not violence and that the hike in food prices is unrelated to currency fluctuations.
The Aladeshonyin’s call to action for the youth was a highlight of his speech. “We should not depend on the government; we should be productive,” he urged. “Look at China today; a boy will make sure he produces something that will fetch him money. I am urging our youths to not indulge in begging; they too should look for what to do.”
In addressing traditional values, Oba Ogunlaja reacted strongly to the incident of a king exposing his head during the Hajj, calling it a disrespect to tradition. “Traditionally, it is not right to open your cap; it is taboo because you are an Oba, and it is you that the people are looking up to. Whatever you do in public, people will emulate you. That system, traditionally, is not the right system,” he asserted.
He further noted that while the consequences of such actions cannot be publicly detailed, they are subject to the judgment of the ancestors based on the individual’s specific traditions. “Traditional leaders should endeavour to abide by the sacred traditions of obaship. I advise my colleagues to follow the system traditionally and not in a modern way,” he concluded.
Well attended by notable royal fathers, religious leaders, officials of government, and business leaders, the Ojude Oba festival in Odo-Noforija, under the able leadership of Oba Dr. Babatunde Ogunlaja, not only showcased the rich cultural heritage of the kingdom but also reinforced the importance of productivity among the youth and respect for time-honoured traditions.
