Cancer changed my view about life, says man who stole show at Ojude Oba festival

The Managing Director of NG Clearing and former Member of the Derivatives Product Advisory Committee of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Farooq Oreagba, has revealed that being diagnosed with cancer was the best thing that happened to him as it changed his priorities in life.

“It’s a family affair; it’s not about one individual, and it’s a very expensive venture,” he said.

He noted that he sees it as a unifying activity that brings families together, adding that preparations have begun for next year’s edition of the event.

He explained, “It also brings families together because you could have one cousin who wants to ride but can’t afford a horse, and you are all going to wear the same outfit. You have to be considerate of other people, or you must support them.

“But for me, it’s just an expression of who I am. I didn’t choose the clothes; the family did. They’ve started arranging clothes now for what we will wear next year.”

At the event, different groups of people wore matching attire, showcasing that they belonged to the same association. However, Oreagba stated that he doesn’t belong to any group and that the only association he belongs to pertaining to the festivity is the one created by the paramount ruler and the Awujale of Ijebuland.

He said, “The only group that I’m a member of is called the Heritage Group, and it’s a group that was formed by Kabiyesi Awujale.

“I’m not a member of any ‘Egbe’; it is a heavy thing; you have to be back in Ijebu every weekend for meetings; and I have a primary job, which is important to me because that allows me to afford the medication that I have been using.”

Farooq Oreagba

He also gave credit to the photographers for how his pictures from the event went viral, stating that it wasn’t planned that way.

“This is a total shock to me. I didn’t nail it; the cameraman nailed it,” he said.

Oreagba added, “The only thing that was curated is that it used to be two men at the front, and this time it was three. I was at the front.

“The outfits are chosen by family members. The entrance: I am one of my grandfather’s oldest grandchildren, and if you look closely, I’m one of the two light-skinned guys as well, but I look exactly like my grandfather. When we leave the palace, we go around town. It’s usually a great feeling when people see me they don’t know who I am, but by looking at me, they just know that I’m an Oreagba.

“My cousins and nephews want to throw horses up and down, but I’m too old for that; if I fall off, my cancer is bone cancer, and if I break a bone, it will never set properly.”

During the interview, he also described his unconventional living arrangement on the beach in Lagos for four years, highlighting his commitment to living life to the fullest despite challenges.

“What I did in my spare time up until last year was that I lived on the beach for four years. I lived in Lagos, on a beach, as my primary home for four years. I did not have a home in Lagos at all. I did not worry about security; I just lived my life,” he added.