The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Ogbagba II, to declare the 2025 Ojude Oba festival a smoke-free event to protect public health.
The advocacy group made the appeal ahead of Sunday’s festival, which will be held at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu Ode under the theme “Ojude Oba: Celebrating Our Roots, Preserving Our Future.”
CAPPA urged the monarch and the festival’s organising committee to prohibit smoking, tobacco product glamourisation, and tobacco advertisements across all festival grounds.
The group highlighted that Nigeria’s National Tobacco Control Act of 2015 bans tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, prohibits cigarette sales to minors, and forbids smoking in public places.
CAPPA expressed concern about the tobacco industry exploiting the festival’s global reach to target individuals and vulnerable groups with harmful products.
The group referenced an incident from last year’s festival where cancer survivor Mr. Farooq Oreagba was photographed smoking on horseback, an image that was later used by the tobacco industry to promote smoking as fashionable and culturally acceptable.
“Unfortunately, such portrayals of ‘smoking as a cool indulgence’ risk overshadowing the cultural significance of Ojude Oba and inadvertently endorsing harmful behaviours,” CAPPA stated.
The organisation emphasised that medical evidence shows tobacco consumption is a leading cause of preventable cancers, respiratory disorders, and cardiovascular illnesses, placing families and young people at grave risk.
CAPPA noted that even secondhand smoke inhalation can be deadly, while local media continues to document young smokers struggling with anxiety, psychological distress, and antisocial behaviours.
Additionally, the National Film and Video Censors Board issued regulations in 2024 requiring health warnings to accompany any film or video content portraying tobacco use.
CAPPA noted that this year’s festival follows closely after World No Tobacco Day, a global event that highlights the dangers of smoking and promotes healthier living.
The statement referenced remarks by Chief Fassy A. Yusuf, the festival coordinator, who recently affirmed that smoking poses serious health risks and reiterated that Ijebu land does not endorse tobacco use, particularly during the festival.
“In a recent meeting with CAPPA’s tobacco control advocacy team, the respected Chief affirmed that smoking poses serious health risks and reiterated that Ijebu land does not endorse tobacco use, particularly during the festival,” the organisation said.
CAPPA commended Chief Fassy for his leadership and described his remarks as consistent with national and global efforts to de-normalise smoking in public and cultural spaces.
The organisation specifically called on the Awujale and the organising committee to prohibit smoking and tobacco advertisements across all festival grounds, including parade routes and communal gathering areas.
It also urged the establishment of designated health stations at main entrances where trained volunteers can distribute advocacy materials and provide education on smoking risks.
CAPPA advised the organising committee to mobilise group leaders to reinforce smoke-free guidelines and ensure participants of all ages understand the health implications.
The group argued that these measures would reaffirm Ojude Oba’s cultural integrity and demonstrate that the heritage festival cannot be exploited to normalise habits that undermine community health.
“A smoke-free Ojude Oba will inspire a ripple effect across Nigeria and underscore Your Majesty’s legacy of care,” CAPPA stated.
The organisation suggested that other states and cultural festivals would look to Ijebu land for leadership if the Ojude Oba festival adopts smoke-free policies.
The annual Ojude Oba festival attracts hundreds of thousands of participants and tourists while receiving significant global attention and media coverage, making it an influential platform for public health messaging.