Awujale hopeful, Alatise, pledges to harness Ojude Oba Festival for tourism, economic growth

Engineer and entrepreneur, Babatunde Alatise has promised to transform the Ojude Oba Festival into a major tourism and investment platform if selected as the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

Alatise, who recently declared his ambition for the throne, said the festival represents more than a cultural gathering; it is an untapped economic opportunity capable of attracting global attention, jobs and development to Ijebuland.

“The Ojude Oba Festival is not just a celebration; it’s a brand,” he said. “With proper organization, promotion and partnerships, we can make Ijebu land a must-visit destination every year.”

Speaking during a visit to the Bubiade royal family house in Ijebu-Ode, Alatise said he plans to work with both public and private sectors to strengthen the festival’s global appeal. According to him, the festival can serve as a bridge between tradition and modern enterprise.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administrators (FCIA) and a member of COREN and the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Alatise has decades of experience in mining, real estate and agriculture. He believes the same strategic thinking used in business can help reposition the Ijebu kingdom’s cultural economy.

Speaking to newsmen on Alatise’s candidacy, Rasheed Adenuga, a community elder, described him as “a bridge between tradition and modern enterprise.” He added, “With his business background and deep love for Ijebuland, Alatise has the vision and connections to attract industries, create jobs and restore economic pride to our people.”

Abdul Barry Bojela, the Oloriebi of the Bojela family, also voiced confidence in his candidacy. “From our deliberations, I’m pleased with the person we’re presenting,” he said.

Alatise’s vision ties tourism, culture and economic empowerment together, a blueprint many believe could redefine Ijebuland’s place in Nigeria’s cultural map.

For many Ijebu indigenes, his emergence signals a new era where tradition fuels progress and culture drives prosperity.