If you have been wondering what it costs each celebrant of the Ojude Oba to show up in style, steeze and composure each year, then, you are in for a good and interesting read.
The Ojude Oba festival is a significant event for the Yourba’s from Ijebu Ode residents of Ogun State, Nigeria.
This event is held days after the Islamic Eid-el-Kabir celebration by different age and cultural groups to pay homage to the Awujale (king) of the Ijebu land.
Also, the Ojude Oba festival is an annual event that is graced by residents from home and abroad.
Seeing the pictures and videos that trended online from the event recently, it is obvious that Ijebu residents didn’t take the maintenance of their “steeze” and “composure” lightly.
Matching Outfits
Women and men in their 50’s, 60’s and above dressed in expensive matching outfits.
Also, fashion items like shoes, headgears matched with heavy embroidery, beads, weaved handfans, designer sunshades, and so on are not left out.
The elites even go as far as showing up on decorated horse backs and every other fashion accessory that screams luxury.
Also, services like make up, transportation, accommodation, and many more are not left out.
However, it is gathered that a fortune goes into the preparation of this event.
Also, often times, the financial planning for the next year begins from the end of the present year’s celebration.
Although, there is no confirmed budget sum of the ceremony, in a series of tweets, Akin Olaoye an X (Twitter) user gave an estimate on the financial cost for each individual that rocked the event.
According to him, the Ojude Oba economy exceeds ₦10 billion or even more.
@Akintollgate gave a breakdown of the price of products and services used for and at the event on an average scale.
Below Are Some Of The Products And Services Estimation:
Outfit Cost
The fashion designers, Fabric, Aso Oke Sellers, Embroidery vendors understood their assignment as they delivered excellently on their craft like Hebrew women.
https://twitter.com/akintollgate/status/1803128129893871969
“The cost of the flamboyant outfits will leave you speechless. This Majestic “Steeze” ranges btw ₦100k – ₦400k depending on the customer.
However, a few elites go the mile of dropping ₦1m for hard-to-reach material, embroidery and ornaments.
In addition, Akin said each group outsources outfits to dress 100+ individuals or more with the same unique fabric and threading.
“Furthermore, Lagos Island and Gbagi market vendors can’t afford to fall sick from malaria months or weeks before Ojude Oba, he said.
Make Up Artists & Hair Stylists
There is no doubt that Ojude Oba celebrants looked their best. You can tell that a lot of money went into their looks.
Many make-up artists (MUA) travelled from Lagos and Ibadan to beautify the Ojude Oba “queens.”.
“Also, word has it that top MUAs were missing in Lagos & Ibadan. Services range from ₦30k – ₦500k. “
Horse Ownership, Rentals & Carriage Services.
Have you ever wondered the fortune spent by the royalties on decorated horsebacks or on horse trains?
In addition, Olaoye tweeted that it costs more than ₦15m – ₦30m or even ₦50m annually depending on the breed to own and groom a fine horse.
“The horse costumes with fine materials typically imported cost between ₦400k to ₦1m per horse.
Also, depending on the flamboyance, horses get a new look every Ojude Oba!
“To dress a horse for Ojude Oba will set you back ₦3m – ₦5m!
“A number of them are being transported from Lagos and Ibadan mostly with ₦150k in daily rental.”
Also, Akin said moving a horse is no cheap expense, and over 200 horses are often featured in Ijebu.
Alcohol & Soft Drinks
An Ijebu Ode party is never complete without alcohol and soft drinks.
“Furthermore, while the masses settle for Goldberg & Star, the elites load up cartons of Glenfiddich, Martell, Glemonrangie & Hennessy plus champagne bottles to keep premium guests abuzz through the lavish parties.
“However, the average bottle of premium whiskey & cognac starts at ₦56,000 – ₦700,000 per bottle and Ijebu elites spare no expense.
“Also, the average elite household and families will budget upwards of ₦15m – ₦40m for drinks based on figures and estimates shared.
“According to a source, “the men dropped ₦1m each for drinks, and it was about 22 of us. However, we still ran out of supply.”
“Also, distributors of spirits and alcohol often have trailers booked to ply the busy roads to Ijebu Ode, knowing it’s the same volume similar to Christmas celebrations anticipated.
Also Read: Ijebu: Pictures And Videos From Ojude Oba Festival 2024
In addition, the X user claimed a source with Nigerian breweries indicated that over 30,000 crates of alcohol are consumed through the week!
Event Halls & Canopy Rentals
This is one of the major highlights of the whole event.
This is because public schools, fields, and open spaces around are always fully booked as a result of festival activities lined up.
“Ojude Oba has a social event and party scene that leaves you wondering what time people have to sleep.
“Event halls are booked years ahead, as I hear and the prices are jaw dropping for the smallest venues.
“Estimates between ₦300k to ₦5m depending on the size of the hall and location.
“Furthermore, VIP canopies often come more desirable by the elites as this is often setup within their compounds or annexed properties with proximity.
“Average Luxury canopy will cost you ₦500k to ₦4m.
Contributions & Community Development By Different Groups
According to Akin Olaoye, dignitaries who are illustrious sons and daughters of the land contribute a minimum of ₦20m for recognition.
Also Read: All You Need To Know About Ojude Oba
“Also, these groups show up to outdo each other with community projects such as renovating schools, hospitals, and scholarship projects as they compete with generosity.
“In addition, a few families often budget ₦10 – 150 million for charitable or community events.
Akin claims this side of Ojude Oba never truly gets the PR or publicity it deserves.
Hotels & Guest Houses
If you are planning to attend the event and have not booked accommodation prior, you may be in for a huge shock!
This is because hotels and guest houses around the Ojude Oba location are always booked and sold out on the day of the event.
“Hotels are often booked and paid for a year in advance, and there are never any cancellations.
“This aspect of the tourism ecosystem is a honey pond for local entrepreneurs.
“The average room costs between ₦20k and ₦80k per night, and there isn’t up to 1/4 the needed supply to meet this growing demand.
“In addition, with only about 70–80 hotels and guest houses in the area, there are huge opportunities for those looking to tap into the hotel market in the region.
“Over 100,000 people attending simply reflects the size of this market.
Ojude Oba; Present & Future
Amongst many other expenses made by celebrants of the Ojude Oba festival are shoes, VIP car rentals & Escort, audio visuals, Generator vendors & musicians, food, caterers, to mention a few, in hundreds of thousands to even millions of naira.
Also Read: Ojude Oba: How Farooq Oreagba Won The Heart Of Nigerians With Steeze And Composure
Although, the Ojude Oba festival has been in existence for decades now, the emergence of social media is making the event gain more recognition.
In conclusion, it promises to be even bigger in the years to come as more investors, sponsors are now willing to partner with the organizers to make it a world-class event.
