Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday said the collaboration of Southwest states was bearing fruits.
Sanwo-Olu, who spoke yesterday at the 2022 edition of the annual Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that the Ojude Oba has grown to become a prominent cultural and religious festival in Nigeria, and yet stayed true to its Islamic roots..
He said: “Celebrations like the Ojude Oba remind us that evil will never triumph over good. It is also noteworthy that the Ojude Oba Festival has while staying true to its Islamic roots, expanded to become a unifying symbol and occasion for people of all faiths, tribes, and tongues; as well as a global celebration of Ijebu heritage and culture.
“We must never lose sight of this unifying element, especially at a time when the forces of division seem to be working so actively to undermine all that we cherish as a people.”
Sanwo-Olu also praised the historical and cultural bond with Ogun State, saying they are shaped by the same forces and experiences.
He added: “We are nourished by the same waterways, and living up to the same Omoluabi standards and ideals. This was what spurred my brother Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and I to, in 2021, establish the Lagos-Ogun Joint
Development Commission, to collaborate on key areas of mutual benefit and development and accelerate socio-economic growth for all our communities and our people.
“The road network linking Ijebu-Ode, Epe and Lekki is yet another concrete manifestation of our collaboration – Ogun has completed its own stretch while we will complete our own end this year, opening up new commercial and logistics opportunities in that axis, and positively impacting the lives of our people.
“Our Adiyan Waterworks project draws its water from the Ogun River. These are just a few examples of the very many ways in which our destinies are bound together.
Sanwo-Olu is the third Lagos governor to be the special guest of honour at the event, after Sir Michael Otedola and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The annual Ojude Oba Festival is hosted by the Awujale of Ijebu and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. It was last held in 2019 as the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the 2020 and 2021 editions.
Governors Abiodun and Sanwo-Olu came in together, and acknowledged greetings from the regberegbe (age grade groups) and the crowd before taking their seats in the VIP pavilion with Oba Adetona.
The regberegbe, 57 in all, decked in colourful attires, displayed their class and panache while paying homage and obeisance to the king.
Horse riding and balogun families also displayed their skills. The popular Kuku family, led by Olorogun Sunny Kuku himself, was particularly spectacular as their entrance threw the venue into a frenzy. The family came first in the horse riding show.
Five persons also won tricycles in the raffle draw sponsored by telecommunications giant Globacom.
The Hausa community was represented in their numbers, while the Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode and grand Imam of Ijebu Land, Sheikh Miftaudeen Ayangbadejo Gbadegesin, said the opening prayer.
Other dignitaries at the event were Ogun State Deputy Governor Naimot Salako-Oyedele, some members of the Lagos State Executive Council, former Ogun State Governors Segun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel, founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Otunba Subomi Balogun, among others.