BALOGUN KUKU FOUNDATION

Balogun Bello Odueyungbo Kuku was a master strategist! He was very passionate with everything he ventured to do! Having been inducted as the leader (Seriki) of all Muslims in Ijebu land, Kuku wanted to be sure to squash the attraction of Ijebu people to the traditional religion that he left for Islam.

Odun ela. Festival of the traditionalists was until then the most celebrated festival in Ijebu-Ode. It was a time for the people to gather in honour of the Awùjalè of Ijebu land in the presence of the gods of the land. The concept of the Odun ela festival was such that the worshipers of these deities appeared annually before the Awùjalè to as it were showcase their deities and render testimonies of the acts and benevolence of their gods. Worshipers of Sango, Ogun, Osun, Yemole and other gods gathered to make merry with the king and people of Ijebu with dance, music, magical displays amongst other spectacular show of celebration and worship. Odun ela festival was an annual event.

Balogun Kuku's "tactical evangelism" towards a quick propagation of Islam was to create an occasion that will coincide with and counter the Odun ela festival… and that was exactly what happened! An annual festival on the same date, but of more interesting spectacle… The OJUDE OBA CARNIVAL!

"OJUDE OBA" means, "the king's fore-court". It could also be translated as "majestic outing at the King's Court." This annual event; thanks to Awùjalè Adetona has been so developed and amplified that it has become a global event that is of world class tourist attraction comparable in attendance to the Rio Carnival of Brazil, Calabar Carnival in Nigeria, Notting Hill Carnival in England and other world class Carnivals.

It was customary in Islam for citizens who were to offered Salah meat to come around once again to thank the Muslim faithfuls who extended such gifts to them on the third day of the Eid. On this occasion called "Idupe Iru", Balogun Kuku instead was the one who made grand visitations to the Awùjalè, Olisa and other prominent personalities in town to thank them for celebrating with him! On the same date of "Idupe Iru" ie two days after Kuku's lavishly celebrated Eid, it was also time for Odun ela festival. It was the perfect moment for him to launch his grand plan! Kuku dressed himself gorgeously and rode on the best decorated horse you could imagine! Some of his sons also dressed likewise riding on horsebacks before their father.

The music. The dance. The songs. The gunshot salutes. The dancing and prancing horses. The harmonious hubbub. It was all a beautiful spectacle to behold! All of Kuku's wives, children, extended family, servants, followers, associates and friends had all been secretly invited to converge for the grand visit to the Awùjalè's palace. While all others on the long parade train sang and danced along with overdose of merriment, Kuku's eldest sons led the parade on horses. It was a huge crowd of carnival procession! The horse riders rode with tremendous skills and the parade was just fantabulous!

As Balogun Kuku's parade approached the Awùjalè's palace, everybody there scampered for safety! The gun shots were banging one after the other and all the celebrators of Odun ela festival ran for their lives! Of course, the valiant Awùjalè was watching to see what was coming! And as Balogun Kuku's carnival reached the palace, he alighted from his horse and paid his homage to the Awùjalè, prostrating to the king. And when he was asked what was all the parade and gun shots about; his simple reply became the name of this great festival till date! "MO WA KI OBA NI OJUDE OBA" meaning… "I have come to pay homage to the king at the king's forecourt". The runaway people were recalled and celebration continued…

The Awùjalè was so pleasantly surprised and elated that he announced that this carnival started by Balogun Kuku gladdened his heart and he would like it to continue… Right there and then at the first Ojude Oba visit of Balogun Kuku and his entourage, the then Awùjalè; Oba Adeleke (Ogbagba Agbotewole I) endorsed the Ojude Oba carnival as an annual festival in Ijebu land. It was official! The carnival was first of its kind and the king, the chiefs and all the people of Ijebu-Ode enjoyed it so much! The following year, Kuku repeated the same feat with a bigger crowd and a more interesting spectacle. And then, the next year, and following year, the next year after that and every year thereafter until now and beyond! The Odun ela festival fizzled out permanently, while Ojude Oba Festival has come to stay!

This event took place on the 3rd day of Ileya (Eid-el-Kabir) in the year 1895. It was the first year of the reign of Awùjalè Adeleke; Ogbagba Agbotewole I (1895 to 1906); Grandfather of the present Awujale; Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Ogbagba Agbotewole II… Other Balogun families were called in to join the Carnival over the years and as such it became a celebration of the Generalissimos of Ijebu! Awujale Adetona further expanding the scope and grandeur of Ojude Oba by re-enacting the age-long Age Group Stratification of Ijebu culture. The "Regbregbe" thus became an integral part of Ojude Oba.