Ijebu-Ode: Tale of a People and Their Festival

Nestled in Ogun state, Ijebu-Ode is a warm, animate and touristic town that boast of a fingerlicking gourmet, overwhelming hospitality and a magnetic festival that attracts all and sundry from different parts of the world.

The town is the second largest city after Abeokuta in Ogun state and the thriving traditional institution led by Oba Sikiru Adetona further attests to the rich heritage of Ijebu-Ode. These makes Ijebu-Ode one of the most sort after destinations in Nigeria. Jovago.com, Africa’s No. 1 hotel booking tells you a tale of the people, their festival as well as how to navigate this receptive town.

Top 3 tourist attractions

Ojude-Oba Festival

Arguably one of the most anticipated festivals in Nigeria. Ojude-Oba festival is a widely and lavishly celebrated festival in Ijebu-ode. It is a day set aside to pay homage to the King and commemorate the values, culture and tradition of Ijebus’. Hotels are fully booked, homes are filled with visitors and tourists come from far and wide to experience the festival. Key highlights of the festival include horse displays by the various horse-riding families, dancing competitions among the various regbe regbes i.e age grades, resplendent attires and deftly plaited hairdo of women. The festival is held opposite the Oba’s palace. It is a festival to quench your desire for fun

Awujale’s Palace.

Led by His Eminence Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale’s palace over the years is a historical monument that houses valuables of past Awujales of Ijebuland as well as provide relevant information about the history of Ijebu-Ode. The palace is a compendium of the people’s culture, craft and art.

Sungbo’s Eredo

Sungbo’s Eredo is the wall that was dedicated to Bilikisu Sungbo for her commendable contributions to the development of Ijebu-Ode. The sungbo Eredo is also believed to be the final resting place of the Queen of Sheba. The site was added to the tentative list of World Heritage Sites on 1st November 1995.

Unwinding

Ikokore is a meal readily available in Ijebu-Ode. They own this delicious cuisine. It is a must eat for visitors to the state. It is prepared with Water yam sprinkled with fresh fish, prawn, crab, pepper. Yummy! If you cannot get someone to prepare it for you, you can walk into these restaurants to order for ikokore or any one of your favourite food-Tasty Food consult, Ademola Food Canteen, lollyboi kitchen. Goodnews delicious restaurant and Odunsi Eatery.

Shopping

Ife-oluwa variety store, Deo Gratias Superstore, Mariam Variety store, and Olori Mini Mart are amongst the small scale that you can do your shopping. It is a developing town, do not bother to search for giant shopping like you have in Lagos.

Hotel

As a town where a popular festival is held, there are various stars of hotels that correspond with your taste. Visit Jovago.com to select any one of the 38 available hotels. These hotels are inexpensive.

Fun fact

Indigenes of Ijebu-Ode are known to be party freaks. They love to rock the dance floor with glossy attire and flamboyant hairdos. It should come as a surprise that they host one of the biggest festivals in Nigeria.