Moses Adeniyi
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has emphasised the importance of the need for natives of Yoruba race to support the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
In his address at the 2022 edition of the annual Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Sanwo-Olu urged the Yoruba race to ‘in the unifying spirit of the Ojude Oba, unite as one behind the momentous candidature of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a proud son of the race and one of the most formidable and experienced politicians to have ever emerged from Africa’.
Sanwo-Olu who described Tinubu “as a proud son of the race (Yoruba) and one of the most formidable and experienced politicians to have ever emerged from Africa, said: “Let me use this opportunity to make this rallying call on all true sons and daughters of the Yoruba race, and pronounce that in the unifying spirit of the Ojude Oba celebration, it is my firm hope and belief that the Yoruba race will unite as one behind the momentous candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that the Ojude Oba has grown to become a prominent cultural and religious festival in Nigeria.
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, 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.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also praised the historical and cultural bond with Ogun State, saying they are shaped by 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 Dr. 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 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, acknowledged greetings from the regberegbe (age grade groups) and 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.
At the event, five persons also won tricycles in the raffle draw sponsored by telecommunications giant Globacom.
Other dignataries 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