Chief Professor Fassy Adetokunboh Olore Yusuf is a man of many caps; he is the Baagbimo of Ijebu Land, Secretary of the Awujale Council of Chiefs, Vice-Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode, and Coordinator of the Ojude-Oba Festival Planning Committee. In addition to his extensive professional experience in journalism, marketing, public relations, and management, he is a legal practitioner and is the outgoing Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Ijebu-Ode Branch (2024-2026).
In this interview with Noble News’ Editor Paul Onogwu, he shares his thoughts on the 2026 Ojude-Oba Festival, the quest for the creation of Ijebu State, and the lingering delay in selecting a new Awujale of Ijebu Land. Read the full excerpts below
The just-concluded Ojude-Oba was held without a sitting Awujale of Ijebu. Has it ever occurred before? Having an Ojude-Oba without a sitting Oba? Or is this the first time it is happening?
Not to the best of my knowledge. But whilst Kabiyesi Adetona was alive, on two or three occasions, he could not preside over the Ojude-Oba. So, you had the Ogbeni Oja who presided over the festival in his absence. But that a sitting Awujale (is) not on the Throne? You remember before he came on board, the last Oba we had when he came on board was in 1959, that is about 66 years. So that has been a long time. I have not found it in any history book or in any of our documents or records. But there is always a first time, and nature abhors a lacuna. I try to explain to people, even to the media, why we could not afford not to have Ojude-Oba. Many reasons. Number one, before Awujale departed this world, he said, “Fassy, nothing should stop Ojude-Oba. Ojude-Oba is now an institution, whether I’m around or not; continue with Ojude-Oba. Ojude-Oba is not something you can abandon. My role is more or less honorary. I won’t be the one to plan it. I won’t be the one to liaise with sponsors or partners. It is just for me to sit down there to receive them.” There will always be somebody acting, or Chairman of the Interregnum Administrative Council or a Regent. But in this instance, we had the Chairman of the Interregnum Administrative Council that sat in for his stool.
That’s Dr Sonny Kuku, right?
Yes. Olorogun Dr Sonny Kuku, who is also the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu Land.
Sir, as the coordinator of the planning committee, did this particular festival live up to the expectations and anticipation, considering the success it has had in recent years, which has made it become a national event and a very popular event?
This year’s edition was better organised, better coordinated. The sponsors, our partners, were more satisfied, and they were more than the previous ones. So, in every parameter, it was a huge success. The crowd control was better than that of last year. Security was tight. You could see that before the festival, the Police were out there, the Army out there, Civil Defence out there, Amotekun out there, the Vigilante also out there. So, they manned all the sixteen (16) entrances to Ijebu-Ode.
Sixteen Entrances?
Yes. And they also had a show of force. So that there was no single incident that was reported. That will be to the glory of God and kudos to the organisers.
My final question on the absence of the Awujale before I go to other matters. Did it in any way affect the planning, the organisation or the activities of the day?
Not at all. Because before the exit of Kabiyesi, the same people organising the festival were there. The same organising committee. Nothing has changed. Maybe if a new Awujale comes on board, he may decide to reshuffle the committee. And what we have said is that we cannot touch any of the things Kabiyesi left until a new Awujale comes on board. If he comes on board, if he decides to change, that’s his own administration. Like we say, Oba mewa, igba mewa (10 kings, 10 seasons). If a new king comes and he says this is what he wants, we will go with him. It will even be time for me now to take a deserved rest. I have been there for over 25 years, and I am not getting younger. I am 70-plus now.
In your 25 years as the Coordinator of the Ojude-Oba Planning Committee, how have you seen the festival evolve? How has it grown?
Are these plans for expansion of the venue?
Yes, we are still thinking. Because some argue that we should move to the stadium. But then will the stadium now be Ojude-Oba or Ojude Stadium or what? But when the new king comes, we will weigh all the variables. So, we will now decide what we should do. Because even if we expand that place now, a time will come when it will also be inadequate. But what we’re trying to do is we are trying to manage the space properly, to decentralise. Like we had Itoro Viewing Centre, which was an offshoot of the festival in the palace. So, we call it overflow station. So, we may decide to have other venues too. But by and large, we are not resting on our oars. We are trying to be creative and strategic in our approach.
Moving on from the (just concluded) festival. I want to look at a broader perspective. Last year’s Ojude-Oba festival had a theme: “The Creation of Ijebu State, Noin Noin” (Now! Now!). What progress has been made in the quest, clamour, and agitation for an Ijebu State from last year’s Ojude-Oba till now?
Was that why the theme (The Creation of Ijebu State, Noin Noin) was not repeated this year?
We mentioned it; we emphasised it. If you go through the brochure, you will see (that) in most of the speeches there, we mentioned Ijebu State.
Why wasn’t this year’s Ojude-Oba festival used as a rallying call for the resumption of the Awujale selection process, which has been suspended for some months now?
It has nothing to do with the selection. There are two separate things. My own ruling house, we did our own bit. The exercise was conducted, those that were interested 95 of them. We forwarded the names to the kingmakers. But unfortunately, before the kingmakers could complete the assignment, the government halted the exercise. So, we are expecting a lifting of the ban. Once it is lifted, they will complete the assignment. They will forward their choice to the government. The governor-in-council will do all the necessary things, maybe security screening, the legal implications and all the rest, and they will now give the go-ahead. If government, for whatever reason, disagrees with the decision of the kingmakers, then they will send a letter to the kingmakers to pick another person. But so far, we are waiting for the government.
The Governor was at the Ojude-Oba. Did you speak with him on the matter?
Is he difficult to speak with? He calls me if he needs my advice, and I call him if I need to get in touch with him. Is he not one of us? Well, he is a brother of mine; at least I am a senior citizen, above 70. So, I won’t be able to talk to him? We talk to him from time to time. He talks to us. He calls us if he needs us.
What’s your message to the people of Ijebu Land who are waiting in earnest for a new Awujale?
To be patient. Because some school of thought are saying that they should go to court. If you go to court today, for the next ten years we are still in court. Minimum of ten years. High Court, two years or three years. Court of Appeal, another two years; that’s five years. Supreme Court, five years (making a total of) ten years. So, if it is something we can resolve within the next one year, why don’t you exercise some patience? So, I will appeal to my people to exercise some patience. By the grace of God, between now and next year, everything will be sorted out.
