Nigeria's leading food and beverage company, Rite Foods Limited, has emphasized the need to promote cultural values across the nation. The firm made this known during the celebration of the Ojude Oba festival, themed “Ojude Oba 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.”
The Ojude Oba festival, celebrated annually, is one of the most treasured cultural events of the Ijebu people in South-West Nigeria. With a history spanning over a century, the festival now stands as a powerful symbol of unity, harmony, and shared heritage among the people of Ijebuland, as well as their friends and associates worldwide.
The festival pays tribute to the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (GCON), the revered Awujale of Ijebu-land and the longest-reigning monarch in the kingdom's history. It honors the monarch’s remarkable leadership, enduring legacy, and immense contributions to the cultural and socio-economic development of Ijebu-land and Nigeria as a whole.
The company’s Managing Director, Seleem Adegunwa, stressed that continuous sponsorship reflects Rite Foods’ support for promoting the cultural values of the Ijebu people, particularly the Ojude Oba festival, which remains a formidable platform for unity, bonding together families, friends, and visitors.
Adegunwa stated that as a proudly Nigerian and world-class company with operations in Ososa, Rite Foods has deemed it right to continually support the festival. This signals the company’s belief in preserving the culture, tradition, and shared values of communities.
In light of this, the Brand Manager for Fearless Energy Drink at Rite Foods Limited, Olaniyi Aderuku, said the company’s connection with the people of Ijebu-land extends beyond business. He noted that the company believes it has a role to grow with the people, celebrate their identity, and contribute meaningfully to preserving their cultural heritage.
Aderuku pointed out that Fearless Energy Drink, the number one energy drink brand, stands for courage, self-expression, ambition, and the confidence to push boundaries. These qualities resonate with what the festival portrays. “The festival itself embodies fearlessness through its rich culture, fashion, horsemanship, creativity, and the pride of a people who continue to preserve their heritage while embracing the future,” Aderuku added.
According to him, Rite Foods has remained a proud and consistent partner of the Ojude Oba Festival over the years, creating memorable experiences for consumers through its award-winning brands and engaging activities.
At this year’s festival, the Rite Foods team staged an electrifying performance that caught the admiration of top personalities at the event. A dance group outshone others, adding much fun to the annual festival that brings together millions of Ijebu sons and daughters, as well as foreigners, to watch the cultural displays and horse riders.
At the Rite Foods pavilion, participants and guests were reinvigorated with the company’s unmatched brands, including the 13 flavors of Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, Bigi Premium Drinking Water, Sosa Fruit Drink, Fearless Energy Drink, and the nutritious Bigi Flex, Rite Spicy, and Bigi Beef Sausages. These products are produced with state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern technology in a world-class factory.
In his speech, the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Dapo Abiodun, restated his support for the festival and highlighted his administration’s appreciation for the 95 Regberegbe Groups and the families of warlords who define the celebration. Governor Abiodun also commended the sponsors for making the festival worthwhile, extolling the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, for her role in redefining the path to tourism development in the country.
The governor described the festival as a powerful symbol of religious harmony, peaceful coexistence, and communal unity of the Ijebu people. He noted that it has evolved into a major platform for tourism, economic growth, social inclusion, and cultural pride. Governor Abiodun added that his government is poised to create opportunities to enhance the economic growth of the people of Ijebu-land, with favorable policies that define his administration.
“The people of Ijebu-land, thank you for your unity, cooperation, and resilience in preserving our cultural heritage. Today, Ojude-Oba stands as a symbol of unity, honour, continuity, and cultural pride, where visitors from across the world gather to witness the splendour of our traditions, the elegance of our attire, and the discipline of the age-grade groups,” he added.
The Governor further stated that the festival reflects the philosophy of his administration’s “Building Our Future Together” agenda through strategic investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, and tourism development. He urged the younger generation to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage handed down by their forebears, stressing that culture must continue to evolve without losing its essence.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Ojude-Oba Planning Committee, Chief Olu Okubadejo, described the festival as a celebration of unity and continuity that provides an avenue for all sons and daughters of Ijebuland to reconnect with their roots and celebrate their identity. He noted that this year’s edition was particularly emotional and historic, as it marked the first Ojude-Oba celebration since the demise of Oba Sikiru Adetona, whose reign brought honour and global recognition to Ijebuland.
Among dignitaries present at the event were the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiaq Kunle Salako; former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; traditional rulers, captains of industry, religious leaders, Seyi Tinubu; fashion entrepreneur and socialite Farooq Oreagba, popularly called “Mr Steeze”; and other distinguished guests.
