First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has
explained that its continuous support of the
Ojude Oba Festival is borne out of its
commitment to celebrate and preserve
Nigeria’s cultural heritage, while also boosting
the tourism sector in line with the
government’s ongoing drive to diversify the
country’s economy.
Consequently, the Bank has assured that its
participation in this year’s edition of the
Festival, which holds in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state,
on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 will be
grand, exciting and rewarding for the
thousands of people within and outside the
country that would grace the fiesta. FCMB has
in the past 10 years continued to play a
significant role in ensuring the success of the
Festival.
The Group Head, Corporate Affairs of FCMB,
Mr. Diran Olojo, reiterated this at a press
conference organised by the Ojude Oba
Festival Planning Committee held at Ijebu-Ode
on August 29, 2016.
The Ojude Oba (which in Ijebu dialect means,
the king’s fore-court or frontage) is a major
festival in Nigeria that began over 100 years
ago. It brings together all sons and daughters
of Ijebuland in Nigeria and diaspora for a
carnival-like celebration of the traditional,
cultural, spiritual accomplishments and other
values of the Ijebu nation. During the Festival,
various age groups (popularly known as the
Regberegbes), indigenes, their friends and
associates from far and near - all in their
colourful costumes and riding on horses -
throng the palace of the Awujale and
Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland to pay homage
to him amidst prayers and other fun-filled
activities.
In a goodwill message to the Awujale of
Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) SikiruAdetona on the
occasion of this year’s Ojude Oba Festival, the
Chief Executive Officer of FCMB, Mr. Ladi
Balogun, congratulated the monarch for
upholding the values of Ijebuland and raising
the status of the event over the years. He
stated that FCMB is committed to the
longevity of the Ojude Oba Festival, and was
proud to be associated with it.
‘’The Ojude Oba Festival has become a long
standing yearly tradition we look forward to
as a unifying factor and a tourist attraction.
For over a century, the Festival has gone a
long way to showcase, amplify and promote
our cultural heritage. FCMB has been a
major supporter of the Ojude Oba Festival
for more than a decade and it has been a
mutually beneficial journey. As a socially
responsible corporate citizen, we realise that
globalisation, though essential, could also
become a threat to the cultural identity of a
people. We also recognise that celebrating
the heritage and diversity of Nigeria is
important in educating generations to come
about the evolution of our country’’, Mr.
Balogun emphasised.
In the same vein, the Founder of FCMB Group
who is also the the OloriOmo-Oba AkileIjebu,
Otunba (Dr) Michael Olasubomi Balogun,
CON, in a goodwill message to the paramount
ruler of Ijebuland expressed his gratitude to
the Awujale, especially considering the
paramount ruler’s selflessness in attending to
the different requests and yearnings of the
people of Ijebuland.
In a message delivered on his behalf by Mr.
Olojo, the spokesman of FCMB, Otunba
Balogun commended Oba Adetona for his,
‘’distinguished and exemplary leadership over
the years which have continued to endear you
to all of us’’.
While congratulating the entire indigenes of
Ijebuland, the FCMB Founder also prayed that
the monarch’s reign would, ‘’continue to bring
joy, prosperity and robust health, all in
abundance to the entire Ijebu race, at home
and in the diaspora, in all that you endeavour
to do for our people”.
Apart from the glitz and colours associated
with the annual Ojude Oba Festival, the event
provides an opportunity for the indigenes of
Ijebuland, their associates and well-wishers to
discuss pertinent issues that fast-track the
development of the Ijebu nation. The Festival
also boosts business activities, tourism and
the general hospitality sector in the area,
thereby contributing to socio-economic
development.
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) is a
member of FCMB Group Plc, which is one of
the leading financial services institutions in
Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market
leaders in their respective segments. Having
successfully transformed to a retail and
commercial banking-led group, FCMB expects
to continue to distinguish itself by delivering
exceptional services, while enhancing the
growth and achievement of the personal and
business aspirations of its customers.
From left: Brand Management Officer of First
City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr.
Oluwatosin Dada; the Manager, Ejirin Road
Branch (Ijebu-Ode) of First City Monument
Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Oluwatosin
Adegbenle; Balogun of Ijebu-Ode, Chief
AgboolaAlausa; Representative of FCMB
Founder/Head, Corporate Affairs & Media
Management of the Bank, Mr. Louis Ibe;
Chairman, Ojude Oba Festival Planning
Committee, Otunba (Barr.) WahabOsinusi and
Vice Chairman of the Committee, Chief (Barr.)
Olu Okuboyejo, during the Pre-Ojude Oba
Festival press conference held inIjebu-Ode,
Ogun State on August 29, 2016.
From left: The Manager, Ejirin Road Branch
(Ijebu-Ode) of First City Monument Bank
(FCMB) Limited, Mr. Oluwatosin Adegbenle;
Balogun of Ijebu-Ode, Chief AgboolaAlausa;
Representative of FCMB Founder/Head,
Corporate Affairs & Media Management of the
Bank, Mr. Louis Ibe and Chairman, Ojude Oba
Festival Planning Committee, Otunba (Barr.)
WahabOsinusi and a Member of the
Committee, Chief (Mrs.) BisiOsibogun, during
the Pre-Ojude Oba Festival press conference
held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on August 29,
2016.
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