By Emmanuel Okogba

Days after the globally celebrated Ojude Oba Festival brought colour, culture and thousands of visitors to Ijebu-Ode, fashion entrepreneur and entertainer Jidex sustained the momentum with the second edition of Jidex in Ijebu, a gathering that further spotlighted the town’s growing relevance in Nigeria’s entertainment landscape.

The event attracted a blend of musicians, content creators, social media personalities and fans from different parts of the country, reinforcing the role of local entertainment platforms in promoting culture, tourism and youth engagement in Ogun State.

Jidex is Known off-stage as Olajide Abubakar Rasak. He increasingly became one of the young personalities contributing to the visibility of Ijebu-Ode beyond its traditional cultural identity. While Ojude Oba remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated cultural festivals, figures like Jidex are helping extend conversations about the town beyond the annual event by creating entertainment experiences that continue to attract attention throughout the year.

His influence was particularly visible during this year’s Ojude Oba celebrations, where his presence drew significant interest from indigenes, festival attendees and supporters. For many young people, Jidex represents a new generation of cultural ambassadors using fashion, music, digital media and entertainment to project the identity of Ijebu-Ode to wider audiences.

Building on the excitement generated by the festival season, Jidex in Ijebu 2.0 brought together notable entertainers including Olabest and his band, Lyta, M’Kido, Seun Pizzle, Abati, Kabex, Porkiyor, TeeMirror, Mr. Gbafun and Momma Dessy, alongside several digital creators and influencers.

The turnout highlighted Jidex’s growing ability to attract recognised personalities to Ijebu-Ode, creating opportunities for fans and residents to experience major entertainment moments without leaving their city. It also demonstrated how local initiatives can serve as platforms for collaboration among entertainers, content creators and emerging talents.

Beyond the performances and celebrity appearances, the event reflected a broader shift taking place across Ogun State, where entertainment is increasingly complementing culture as a tool for economic activity, tourism and community engagement. By bringing popular figures to town and creating events capable of attracting regional attention, organisers are helping position Ijebu-Ode as more than a cultural destination.

Over the years, Jidex has remained actively involved in several entertainment and community-based initiatives within the town. Through his activities in fashion, music and digital media, he has continued to leverage his platform to promote Ijebu-Ode while creating opportunities for local creatives to connect with wider audiences.

Outside entertainment, he is the founder of Jidex Klothing and recently expanded his entrepreneurial footprint with the launch of Jidex Foods. His ventures across business and entertainment have contributed to a growing personal brand that remains closely tied to the promotion of his hometown.

As entertainment continues to evolve as a cultural and economic force, events such as Jidex in Ijebu 2.0 demonstrate how local personalities can play a role in shaping narratives around their communities. For many observers, the gathering was not just another entertainment event but another indication of how Ijebu-Ode is steadily strengthening its place on the map as a hub for culture, creativity and youth-driven influence in Ogun State.