lasuconscience
Every year in Ijebu-Ode, it’s a celebration of colours, horses, and royalty that comes alive in what is easily one of the most iconic cultural festivals in Nigeria, “Ojude Oba”. It’s more than just fashion and fanfare; it’s a statement of identity, heritage, and communal pride.
Ojude LASU was, no doubt, a celebration of colours. Faculties stepped out like tribes, each dressed in distinct aso ebi, representing their departments and personalities. There was bonding, there was joy, and yes there was partying. For a day, Lagos State University felt like a cultural village, pulsing with music, beauty, and youthful pride.
Ojude LASU was fun. It was expressive amd very importantly It was affordable enough for students to participate and that, on its own, is commendable. Shout out to the planning team for pulling it off.
But here’s the question that lingers: Did it meet the standard?
Let’s break it down. If we really want Ojude LASU to grow into something lasting and meaningful, then it has to stand up next to the very thing it draws inspiration from: Ojude Oba.
The Absence of Royalty
Ojude Oba exists because of the Awujale, it’s his festival. All the regberegbe groups come to pay homage to the king. His presence anchors the entire celebration, giving it weight, history, and sacredness.
At Ojude LASU, this aspect was missing.There was no royal figure, no spiritual centre. The whole experience leaned more toward aesthetics and celebration than it did cultural reverence. It wasn’t wrong. It was just different. But in that difference, a big part of what makes Ojude Oba powerful was lost.
Faculties Stepping Up as Regberegbe — That Worked
One of the brightest spots of Ojude LASU was how well faculties stepped into the role of cultural groups.
Each faculty paraded with style and coordination. Names were coined, outfits were matching, and the vibes were strong. It didn’t follow the strict age grade structure of Ijebu, but it was a smart university-level interpretation of that idea.
It made students feel like they belonged to something meaningful. On this one, LASU absolutely got it right.
There Were Horses… But Not History
In Ijebu-Ode, horses are more than just props. They carry legacy. The horsemen are often descendants of warriors and noble families, and their entrance is symbolic of the strength and honor of their lineage.
At Ojude LASU, there were indeed horses. Faculty leaders rode in on horseback. Some students got to pose with them too, and it added a fun, regal touch to the celebration.
But here’s the thing: there was no cultural story behind it. No symbolism. No history. Just aesthetics.
Who Got Left Out?
To be fair, Ojude LASU had a lot of publicity. The buzz was loud, and students definitely showed up for it (almost 1000) So, it’s not entirely on the planning team that some campuses didn’t participate.
If other campuses had really pushed to be involved ,maybe they would have been. Maybe it just didn’t feel like their thing yet. And maybe that’s the real issue: interest.
This isn’t to blame anyone ,not the organizers, not the administration. It just points to something deeper.
A tradition only becomes tradition when people feel like it belongs to them. And if certain student campuses like LASUCOM, part-time students, or even the alumni body didn’t feel that pull, then that’s something we need to reflect on.
On the part of the organisers, there has already been a call for more inclusive planning, where each faculty and satellite school has at least one representative on the organising committee. Because if tradition is going to last, everyone needs to be part of building it.
This isn’t just an event. Its legacy in the making and legacy doesn’t happen in isolation.
In conclusion, for a first attempt, it was beautiful. It was good. And honestly, we’re just glad that lasuites got to experience this. We believe the next planning committee will build on this not only fixing what we outlined but improving in areas we might not have even thought to mention here. Because truth be told, Ojude LASU didn’t meet the standard of Ojude Oba in terms of replication. But maybe that was never really the goal. Maybe what we actually need is to create our own standard one that reflects youth, culture, and legacy, the LASU way.
And of the greatest!!!
📸 :OLU VISUALS & MICHAEL VISUALS
