Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II, the Awujale of Ijebuland, to declare the upcoming Ojude Oba Festival a smoke-free event, citing serious public health concerns and the need to protect the cultural integrity of the celebration.
In a statement issued on Friday, CAPPA urged the monarch and the 2025 Ojude Oba Festival Organising Committee to prohibit smoking, tobacco advertising, and the promotion of tobacco products across all festival venues.
The organisation also proposed the setup of health awareness stations where volunteers can educate attendees on the risks of smoking and vaping. The call comes ahead of this year’s festival, themed “Ojude Oba: Celebrating Our Roots, Preserving Our Future,” scheduled to hold on Sunday, 8 June, 2025, at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu Ode.
The event attracts thousands of participants and international attention each year. “With this spotlight comes responsibility,” CAPPA stated. “The Ojude Oba must not become a stage for the tobacco industry to promote products that cause death and disease.
”Referencing last year’s viral image of cancer survivor Farooq Oreagba smoking on horseback during the festival, CAPPA noted that the image was later appropriated by the tobacco industry to promote smoking as fashionable and culturally acceptable.“Such portrayals risk overshadowing the cultural and spiritual essence of Ojude Oba.
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Medical evidence and countless personal tragedies have shown that there is nothing glamorous about smoking,” the statement read.CAPPA emphasised that tobacco consumption remains a leading cause of preventable cancers, respiratory illnesses, and cardiovascular diseases.
The group also cited the increasing incidence of youth addiction, mental health issues, and antisocial behaviour tied to tobacco use in Nigeria. The group further referenced the National Tobacco Control Act (2015) and recent 2024 guidelines by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), which ban all forms of tobacco advertisement and prohibit smoking in public spaces.
These, CAPPA said, demonstrate the government’s stance on prioritising public health.“It is fitting that the Ojude Oba Festival is taking place shortly after World No Tobacco Day. Declaring it smoke-free would send a powerful message and help preserve the health of future generations,” CAPPA said.
The advocacy group also acknowledged remarks made by Chief Fassy A. Yusuf, the Festival Coordinator, during a meeting with their team. Chief Yusuf affirmed that Ijebu land does not support tobacco use, particularly at cultural events like Ojude Oba.
CAPPA commended Chief Yusuf for his leadership and urged the monarch and festival organisers to take concrete steps, including: Banning all forms of smoking and tobacco advertising throughout festival grounds and parade routes.
Setting up designated health stations at festival entry points for public education on smoking-related risks. Mobilising cultural group leaders to help enforce the smoke-free policy and raise awareness among attendees of all age groups.“Taking these steps will protect public health, uphold the sanctity of Ojude Oba, and position Ijebuland as a national model of cultural leadership and responsibility,” CAPPA said.
The group concluded that a smoke-free Ojude Oba would not only preserve the festival’s cultural significance but also create a lasting legacy for the Awujale and inspire similar actions across Nigeria.
