The National Council for Arts and Culture has conferred the title of Honorary Ambassador on the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NG Clearing, Farooq Oreagba, who stole the show at the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival.
The Director General of NCAC, Obi Asika, announced the recognition on Instagram page, displaying the Certificate of Recognition awarded to Oreagba.
Asika praised Oreagba’s energy, spirit, and dedication to promoting Nigerian culture, describing him as a true Nigerian original.
He wrote, “I could not be happier to announce him as an Hon Ambassador for the National Council for Arts and Culture #ncac_nigeria and celebrate him and his boundless energy and spirit.
“He is now the King of Steeze and brought global attention to #OjudeOba the key traditional festival of Ijebu Ode celebrating the Awujale.
“For at least the last decade, he has been getting on his horse, dressed in magnificent aso oke and representing his family and culture.
“We discussed what made this year different and why the reaction, was it the photographer, was it the festival or was it just God’s time? I believe it was just meant to be.
“My brother is a fighter, diagnosed with terminal cancer he has been fighting it for a decade and never been anything but positive.
“He has been an inspiration to we his friends and now we are sharing him to the world. He represents all that is good about Nigeria, please celebrate him, a true Nigerian original!
“I know he is braver than almost anyone I know from the way he confronts his pain and has always repped naija since I have known him, Congrats again and thanks for all you do.”
The 2024 Ojude Oba Festival took place in June, showcasing its signature blend of grandeur, cultural significance, and glamour.
This year’s edition paid tribute to Awujale, the revered king of Ijebu-Ode, Oba Sikiru Adetona, and celebrated the rich heritage of the Ijebu people, attracting prominent figures from far and wide.
However, Oreagba, a prominent son of Ogun State, stole the spotlight with his striking appearance and inspiring personal story.
His unique fashion sense made him the unwitting face of the festival, as he made a majestic entrance on a decorated horse, clad in a stunning green and lemon agbada with a matching cap.
Oreagba exuded elegance and style, as he adorned himself with red coral beads, and a gold crossbody chain, with his embolded tattoos, a big tobacco pipe, an Apple wristwatch, and stylish sunglasses.
His images and videos have since gone viral on social media, showcasing Nigerian culture with uncommon flair and sophistication.
Oreagba, a former Head, Strategy and Business Development. Nigerian Stock Exchange, was in 2014 diagnosed with osteosarcoma and carcinoma, a cancer of the skin and bone marrow.
He had to leave his role at NSE to tend to his health, and after two years of battling the killer disease, until he was declared cancer-free and healthy enough to go back to work.
Hannah Johnson
Hannah, an exciting journalist with over a year of media experience, writes engaging content for social and digital media
