By By Muminat Ajide
Farook Oreagba, a cancer survivor and Managing Director of NG Clearing Limited, a Financial Market Infrastructure (FMI), has emerged as a central figure in the online discourse surrounding the 2024 Ojude Oba festival.
A photograph of him riding a horse to the Awujale kingdom of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Ogbagba II surfaced online during the festival, sparking widespread interest.
According to Kayode Badmus ”Oreagba aka Makanaki aka Vaiper is actually a big boy in the corporate world. With decades-long experience in the financial industry home and abroad, he is currently the MD/CEO of NG Clearing, one of Nigeria’s biggest players in the financial market. He previously served as the MD of NSE Consult and interestingly, he is a cancer survivor”.
In April 2014, Oreagba was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and carcinoma, which, in simpler terms, can be translated to mean bone marrow and skin cancer, respectively.He had a complete remission on February 3, 2015, and was declared cancer-free and healthy in 2017.
Oreagba is currently the managing director of NG Clearing Limited.He was appointed MD/CEO of NG Clearing Limited in September 2023.This appointment came nearly six years after Oreagba had to step away from the financial sector due to health issues
The Ojude Oba festival, celebrated annually on the third day of Ileya (Eid Kabir), stands as one of Nigeria’s most cherished cultural events. It is a vibrant display of tradition and homage to the Awujale of Ijebu, where both men and women don colorful regalia to pay their respects to the monarch. This gathering not only honors the Awujale but also fosters unity among families, clans, and the entire community.
Prominent among the families associated with Ojude Oba are the Balogun families, renowned for their horse-riding skills and distinctive lifestyles. These include well-known lineages such as the Kuku family, Alatise family, Agboola Alausa family, Otubu family, Adesoye family, Odejayi family, Adesoye Onasanya family, Towobola family, Aregbesola family, Ajibike Odedina family, and Odunuga family.
Present at the event was the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, who highlighted the festival’s role in promoting unity and tourism in Ijebuland. Governor Abiodun remarked, “The Ojude Oba symbolizes our unity and serves as a rallying point for the Ijebu people to celebrate our tradition, culture, and revered monarch. It fosters development and underscores the significance of preserving our heritage for future generations.”
Oreagba’s appearance at the festival generated a lot of attention on social media. Many people praised his fashion sense and overall presence, using the term “Steeze” to describe his style and composure. This term has become popular among netizens discussing Oreagba’s appearance, replacing more common words like “composure” or “aura.”
@LASUstreet gave a name to him “The new director of Steeze affairs,” while @OlamideOfficial tweeted about Yoruba elegance and steeze. @dammiedammie35 added, “Tell him I said he won the Ojude Oba Steeze and Aura of the Day.”
