LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, to declare the 2025 Ojude Oba Festival a smoke-free event to protect public health and preserve cultural values.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Media and Communication Officer, Robert Egbe, the organization urged the festival’s organising committee to ban smoking, tobacco promotion, and advertising at the venue.
They suggested that the festival’s organizers establish health education stations to inform attendees about the dangers of smoking and vaping.
“This year’s festival, themed ‘Ojude Oba: Celebrating Our Roots, Preserving Our Future’, presents a vital opportunity to reinforce health-positive cultural practices,” CAPPA said.
Held annually in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, the Ojude Oba Festival draws hundreds of thousands of attendees and global attention. CAPPA warned that without action, the event risks being exploited by the tobacco industry.
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“With this spotlight comes responsibility. That image was hijacked by the tobacco industry to portray smoking as fashionable and culturally accepted,” the group said, referencing the viral image of cancer survivor Mr. Farooq Oreagba smoking on horseback during the 2024 edition.
CAPPA warned that such portrayals could overshadow the festival’s true essence and influence young people negatively.
“Secondhand smoke kills. Smoking causes preventable cancers, respiratory disease, and heart conditions. The glamorisation of it in cultural settings is dangerous,” CAPPA added.
The NGO pointed to Nigeria’s National Tobacco Control Act (2015), which bans tobacco advertising and smoking in public spaces, and the 2024 NFVCB directive that prohibits depictions of tobacco use in films without health warnings.
“This year’s Ojude Oba follows just days after World No Tobacco Day. A smoke-free declaration would align powerfully with this global message and protect youth from harmful influences,” CAPPA stated.
Reinforcing their concerns, the group cited comments from the Coordinator of the Ojude Oba Festival, Chief Fassy A. Yusuf (Ph.D), who reportedly told CAPPA during a recent meeting that Ijebu land “does not endorse tobacco use, especially during the festival.”
CAPPA praised Chief Yusuf’s leadership and urged the organising committee to act decisively by banning smoking on festival grounds, deploying trained health volunteers at entrances, and mobilising group leaders to spread awareness.
“A smoke-free Ojude Oba will reaffirm the festival’s integrity and position Ijebu land as a cultural leader in public health,” CAPPA stated.
