The 2024 Ojude Oba festival, held on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, once again showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba’s, mostly the Ijebu people.

Ojude Oba, meaning “king’s forecourt” in Yoruba, is a renowned annual festival celebrated in three days after the Muslim Sallah festivities.

This year’s theme, “Ojude Oba: Unity and Harmony, Our Gift,” captured the essence of the event, bringing together people from all walks of life to honour the king, famous as the Awujale and celebrate Ijebu traditions.

This year festival has drawn the attention of many netizens, including the Gen Z crowd, on social media.

The 2024 edition of the festival is making headlines over business professional Farooq Oreagba’s steeze. Many Nigerians were curious to know more about him as they drooled over photos and videos of him at the event. Some of them praised his appearance, while others wondered if he was married so they could shoot their shot.

Several photos from the occasion took over the Nigerian social media space on June 18, 2024, but one man, Farooq Oreagba, who is allegedly reported to be a silent billionaire, stood out over what people referred to as ‘steeze’. Steeze is a slang used to describe a person who is effortlessly stylish and Oreagba fit the bill for many Nigerians.

A series of photos and videos of Farooq Oreagba made the rounds online, and he particularly stood out for his ability to rock a rich traditional outfit with a touch of modernity that had people drooling.

Oreagba wore a green and lemon ‘agbada and sokoto’ outfit paired with a matching cap. He complemented the look with red coral beads around his neck and a crossbody gold chain on his torso. His tattoos, a big tobacco pipe, an Apple wristwatch, and stylish sunglasses further accentuated his look.

This seemed to impress many young Nigerians as they praised his steeze. Others were also curious to know who he was, and a quick social media search revealed that Farooq Oreagba is an investment professional and the managing director and CEO of NG Clearing Limited. He was also the former head of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Consult.

Beyond his striking appearance, Mr. Oreagba is an accomplished investment professional. As the head of NG Clearing Limited, he plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s financial industry.

The 58 year old was also a former member of the Derivatives Product Advisory Committee of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, underscoring his influence and expertise.

Born in July 1966 in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Mr. Oreagba’s educational background is as impressive as his professional achievements. He began his educational journey at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, and later attended Mayflower School in Ikenne, Ogun State, before attending King’s College, Lagos State.

Mr. Oreagba pursued a finance degree at Oxford University in London, graduating with distinction.

He furthered his studies with a master’s degree at the University of East London and another in Business Management from Coventry University.

He has also acquired numerous certifications from various educational institutions at home and abroad, showcasing his commitment to continuous learning and excellence.

He, however, stepped away from his role amid his fight with bone and skin cancer.

In April 2014, Oreagba was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and carcinoma, which, in simpler terms, can be translated to mean bone marrow and skin cancer, respectively.

He had a complete remission on February 3, 2015, and was declared cancer-free and healthy in 2017.

Having battled and overcome bone cancer, his stylish appearance at the Ojude Oba festival is not just about fashion but also about resilience and triumph.

The Ojude Oba Festival is a grand display of respect for the Awujale, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Adetona (Gbadebo II), Nigeria’s longest-reigning monarch.

The festival honours the past and inspires future generations to cherish and uphold their heritage.

This year’s festival drew notable figures from across the nation. The presence of these high-profile individuals underscored the festival’s importance in the Nigerian cultural calendar.

While recognising its cultural significance, the Minister of Culture, Art, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, announced plans to list the Ojude Oba festival as an event approved and supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).