FCMB Reaffirms Support for Ojude Oba Festival

 

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has once again pledged its strong support for the Ojude Oba Festival, one of Nigeria’s most prominent cultural celebrations. The bank highlighted the festival’s important role in promoting unity, preserving cultural heritage, and driving economic activities within Ijebu-Ode and beyond.

In a statement ahead of the 2025 edition of the festival, FCMB’s Divisional Head of Corporate Affairs, Diran Olojo, emphasized that the festival aligns closely with the bank’s values of fostering meaningful relationships, community development, and inclusive growth. “Ojude Oba reflects the kind of society we want to build—one that honors legacy, encourages unity, and supports long-term prosperity,” he said.

The Ojude Oba Festival, celebrated annually two days after Eid-el-Kabir, is a vibrant showcase of the culture and traditions of the Ijebu people. It brings together thousands of indigenes, visitors from across Nigeria, and members of the diaspora. The festival features colourful parades, traditional regalia, music, and homage to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

FCMB’s support goes beyond sponsorship. The bank actively participates in festival activities, including the regberegbe procession of age-grade groups and other cultural events that highlight the richness of Ijebu heritage. Olojo noted that the bank sees its role as helping to sustain traditions that generate socio-economic benefits, creating opportunities for sectors such as tourism, hospitality, fashion, and small-scale enterprises.

The festival’s organizing committee chairman, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, praised FCMB for its consistent backing over the years, which has helped elevate the festival’s profile nationally and internationally. He noted that the 2025 festival, themed “Celebrating Our Roots, Preserving Our Future,” would feature cultural displays from numerous warrior families and age-grade groups, underscoring heritage preservation and community solidarity.

Ogun State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, also commended FCMB’s enduring partnership and outlined the government’s plans to enhance the festival’s global appeal to attract investment and create jobs within the cultural and tourism value chain.

FCMB’s commitment to the Ojude Oba Festival reflects its broader mission to promote cultural sustainability, inclusive economic development, and community empowerment. By supporting such events, the bank continues to strengthen community ties and contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth.

As Ijebu-Ode prepares for the upcoming festival, local businesses and service providers are gearing up for an influx of visitors, demonstrating how cultural celebrations like Ojude Oba serve as catalysts for economic activity and social cohesion. FCMB’s renewed support reaffirms its dedication to these values and its role as a trusted partner in Nigeria’s cultural and economic development.