A British educated Nigerian investment banker has become the first globally recognized face of the colorful and ‘drum-beat’ exuberant Ojude Oba festival, in Ogun State – South West Nigeria. But that’s not the sweetest part of the story. Farooq “Dayo” Oreagba, is not just a set of hot brains on horseback.
He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and beat the cancer after an almost 10-year battle. Clad in the deeply rich royal Aso Oke fabric which the south-west Nigerians are known for, ‘arm laced’ with screaming tattoos that tell the epistle of his life, the childlike freckled faced financial executive rode his stallion ahead of the Oreagba clan, a family whose horse-riding skills have traditionally graced the annual Ojude Oba festival which that began in 1893, before the British drummed up the idea for a nation called today’s Nigeria. Farooq’s grandfather himself led the horse parade passee until his passing in 1967, with his uncle subsequently leading the riding procession, and later another uncle joining from 1984.
Genetics perhaps! Welcoming a tapestry of very successful businessmen and women, professionals and everyday people, the festival honors the paramount ruler of the Ijebu Kingdom known traditionally by the title the [Awujale] – Oba Sikiru Adetona, who himself turned 90 years old just a few weeks ago. The arrival of dignitaries at the day’s carnival is a who’s who of the Ijebu kingdom, whose most notable diaspora son is Bayo Ogunlesi, Chairma.