Yesterday was the 25th Owu Festival, a day of royalty, pageantry, culture, tradition, & celebration of Owu people.
The festival is an annual event that takes place every Oct in Abeokuta at Ori Omi town square, a prominent intersection in Abeokuta near the Ogun River & the statue of Iyalode.
The square has a raised stage dignitories stand and the roayal stand, as well as canopies for various Agboles (compounds) of Owu Kingdom.
This was my first visit to the festival, and I was very excited.
People gathered as early as 7:00 am with their colourful costumes and drummer bands practicing, congregating, and greeting in anticipation of the festivities.
I went with my 83-year-old mom, who got seated and got her gele (head tie) done. I went to our Agbole Ile Olusomi on Totoro Road, 67 Totoro Road, one of the first places to have a phone in Abeokuta. We used to send and receive mail from there with the famous NIPOST cheatah stamp.
The Ogunpola family house, like many others, including the family house of former Govr. Amosun, was demolished when the road was dualised.
In the Ile Olusomi compound, you will find the family house of Pres. Obasanjo, the late SBJ Oshoffa, Ajala, founder of Celestial Church of Christ, & many others. Pres. Obasanjo’s family house is behind where our family house used to be. Ile Olusomi canopy was erected on the road exactly where our family house used to be.
I was shown a map of the Owu part of Abeokuta, which indicates the proximity of Gbagura, my paternal lineage.
On my way back to Ori Omi celebration square, I heard lots of drumming, singing, and cheers as I looked back, & I saw our King, the Olowu of Owu, resplendent on horseback in his royal regalia in a royal procession on his way to the square, everyone greeting him Kabiyesi. It was a sight to see. He proceeded to tour Owu town before entering the square with much fanfare.
There were many dignitaries from many states, including Oshun & Kwara; the Alake of Egba Land was there, as were Pres. Obasanjo, Sen. Amosun, & Govr. Dapo Abiodun, to name a few. Owu settlements can be found all over Yoruba land and in many states across Nigeria
Security was tight with MOPOL, DSS, Royal Security Civil Defense, & Private Security, but I didn’t see Amotekun lol 😃.
The festivities began in earnest. One of the host MC’s, Mrs. Funmi Onatade from Radio Nigeria, is an old student from Afrograms Abeokuta, my school. She & others did a great job.
The event was truly spectacular with dances, speeches, tributes, & awards—an unforgettable day. Pres. Obasanjo’s speech was the best for me, with lots of humour and deep content. I will certainly be back next year, God willing.
The only sad thing is that my Bale, the Bale of Ajegunle’s phone, was stolen by a pickpocket while I was taking a photo with him. A person was apprehended & released, but he never got the phone back
We left the square and went to our family canopy to eat and make merry with the music blaring and everyone catching up, remembering old times.
I meet many of my cousins, uncles, & aunties, including Uncle Taofik, aka Baba Saheed, & four other uncles who fought in the civil war. Uncke Kayode and Baba Charles died in the war. Uncle Taofik is showing early signs of Parkinson’s, and another uncle, Baba Funmilayo, is suffering from dementia. We don’t honour our veterans enough in Nigeria, especially those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our collective safety.
Ile Olusomi is a compound of warriors, with Gen. Obasanjo, the Balogun of Owu chief, amongst them.
Owu have a former president of Nigeria and a former governor. Don’t play with Owu; they are a cohesive group of progressive Nigerians. I’m Owu and proud to be a Nigerian.
Where are you from, do you know your history, & do you celebrate your culture? If not, it’s time to find out. Please share.
Femi Oke Betta9ja
