Telecommunications giant Globacom has announced plans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, at the 2026 edition of the Ojude Oba Festival.
The company disclosed that this year’s festival, themed “Ojude Oba 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona,” marks the 21st consecutive year of its sponsorship of the cultural event.
The festival is scheduled to hold at the Festival Arena opposite the royal palace in Ijebu Ode and is expected to honour the life and achievements of the revered monarch, who passed away on July 13, 2025, after a historic 65-year reign.
In a statement issued in Lagos, Globacom said the late monarch’s unwavering commitment to preserving the culture, traditions, and values of the Ijebu people inspired its continued support for the annual celebration.
According to the company, this year’s edition represents more than a corporate sponsorship, describing it as a tribute to a monarch whose visionary leadership elevated the Ojude Oba Festival to global prominence.
“For us, this year’s edition is not just about sponsoring the festival as we have done over the past twenty years. It is about celebrating the exemplary legacies of the revered father, Oba Adetona, who spared no efforts to place the festival on an enviable pedestal,” the statement read.
Globacom noted that under Oba Adetona’s reign, the festival evolved into one of Nigeria’s foremost cultural gatherings, attracting participants, tourists, dignitaries, and culture enthusiasts from within and outside the country.
The company further reaffirmed its commitment to promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage and supporting initiatives that project the nation’s traditions and values to the international community.
Oba Adetona ascended the throne on April 2, 1960, and remained one of Nigeria’s longest-reigning monarchs until his passing. During his reign, the Ojude Oba Festival gained significant national and international recognition, becoming a major symbol of unity and cultural pride among the Ijebu people.
