Adesoye Dynasty’s approach was met with a wave of excitement that swept through the festival grounds like wildfire
By Lukman Omikunle
Ojude Oba 2025: Balogun Adesoye Dynasty’s Spectacular Horse Ride with Ibrahim Chatta Sparks Loudest Ovation at Festival
The 2025 Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode was a dazzling showcase of tradition, royalty, and pageantry — but it was the electrifying entrance of the Balogun Adesoye Dynasty, flanked by celebrated Nollywood actor Ibrahim Chatta, that stole the show and earned the loudest ovation of the day.
The vibrant celebration, held on Sunday, June 8, drew an array of distinguished guests from across the country, including Governor Dapo Abiodun, Olori Adetona, the Minister of Culture, Arts, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa, among other notable dignitaries.
This year’s event, which brought together approximately 90 Regberegbe groups and over 20 distinguished horse-riding families, was a visual feast of heritage.
However, the moment that truly captivated the crowd came when Osi Balogun Adegboyega Daud Adesoye, leading the Adesoye family’s procession, arrived in grand style — accompanied by the charismatic Nollywood great, Ibrahim Chatta on horseback.
From the moment Chatta joined the Adesoye entourage on the bustling streets of Ijebu-Ode, anticipation reached a fever pitch.
Their approach was met with a wave of excitement that swept through the festival grounds like wildfire. The grandstand and VIP section fell into rapt attention as the pair made their dramatic entrance, triggering an uproar of cheers and admiration.
In a poetic performance rooted deeply in Yoruba tradition, Chatta rendered the Adesoye family’s oríkì (panegyric) with a mastery that resonated powerfully among the guests, including the representatives of Awujale of Ijebuland, who was conspicuously absent at the event, Governor Dapo Abiodun, and the Honourable Minister for Arts and Culture.
The moment blended heritage, celebrity, and cultural pride — a true fusion of old and new Nigeria.
The Adesoye Dynasty wasn’t alone in showcasing its prestige. Other prominent horse-riding families graced the festival arena, including the Balogun Kuku, Oreagba, Balogun Odunuga, Balogun Gamugasa, Balogun Shote Lovely, and Balogun Alausa families — all paying homage to the throne of Awujale of Ijebuland in regal splendor.
Speaking exclusively to newsheadline247 at the historic Balogun Fasasi Adesoye mansion in Oke-Ijasi, Ijebu Ode, the family’s lead horse rider, Osi Balogun Adegboyega Daud Adesoye, beamed with pride.
“It’s a feeling of deep fulfillment and pure joy,” he said. “Everything we poured into our preparations paid off beautifully. Seeing our family’s vibrant performance at the festival ground was truly rewarding.
“As children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the late Balogun Fasasi Adesoye Onasanya, we’re all united in happiness. This year’s Ojude Oba brought our family even closer together — before, during, and after the event.
“We’ve definitely raised the bar, and I can confidently say — this is only the beginning. From here, it only gets better.”
Nollywood star Ibrahim Chatta, who played a major role in the Adesoye family’s standout parade, also shared his heartfelt reflections in a private conversation with newsheadline247.
“This is one of the proudest moments of my life,” Chatta said. “Being part of the Ojude Oba festival — right here with the Ijebu people — was beyond anything I imagined. The love I received, the warmth, the cheers… I felt it deeply. It was overwhelming in the most beautiful way.”
Speaking passionately, he continued, “Ojude Oba is more than a festival — it’s a celebration of unity, heritage, and pride. For over a century, it has stood as a symbol of the Ijebu people’s cultural strength, and I’m incredibly honored to be part of that legacy.”
This year’s Ojude Oba didn’t just follow tradition — it elevated it. With its vibrant cultural displays, illustrious guests, and a new wave of artistic involvement, the festival cemented its place as a cultural cornerstone, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of the Ijebu people and beyond. Read More
