Kunle ADELABU
-Chairman seeks for supports
Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS), the umbrella body of all clubs and associations in Ikorodu saddled with the responsibility of organising the annual Ikorodu-Oga yearly festival, has released the timetable for programmes of event for this year’s celebration.
At the press conference which was held to announce the timetable for the celebration at the Ikorodu Town hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018, the association also unveiled the logo for this year’s celebration.
The logo for the 2018 edition of the celebration is themed: “Cultural Values As Catalyst To Socio-Economic Development”.
According to IKODASS Chairman, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, the 2018 Ikorodu-Oga Celebration will hold between 10th – 17th 2018.
Also at the press conference, Otunba Abiru announced the commencement of the sales of this year’s celebration’s attire which he stated would go on sale from Monday, September 10, 2018.
His words, “It is pertinent to also add that the yearly Ankara for the festival would be available for sale with effect from Monday, 10th September, 2018. Interested buyers could make their purchase at the IKODASS Secretariat or pay into the Association’s Account at Access bank.The Account number is 0000591191. We count on you all for a successful celebration”.
He commended the media for the coverages provided for the last year’s celebration.
“Our preparations for this year’s celebration is being flagged off through this Press briefing to keep you abreast of our programmes for the event”, Otunba Abiru stated.
“I express, on behalf of the Executive and entire members of the association, our gratitude to members of the Press for the overwhelming supports given to us in the coverage of our activities during the last celebration. Without you and your adequate coverage, the recognition given to Ikorodu-Oga day by the State Government by listing it in its yearly Tourism calendar would not have been possible. To this, distinguished members of the Press, I say a big thank you.
“This year’s Ikorodu Oga celebration will begin effectively on the 10th of November, 2018 and end on the 17th of November, 2018. And in line with our practice, the Walk for Fitness exercise which precedes the event proper will still hold two weeks to the event to arouse the interest of our people and create the desired awareness on the imminence of the celebration.
“We will be going to the mosque on Friday, November 9th to pray for God’s blessings throughout the event and climax it with a thanksgiving service in the Church on Sunday, November 11th, 2018.
Otunba Abiru stated that this year’s celebration would feature most of the programmes staged last year with slight differences.
“There is not going to be much difference in our programmes from what we did last year, but the contents, scope & style will be slightly different to avert monotony.
“Some of the programmes for the events include but not limited to schools debate, marathon race, beauty competition, music extravaganza, cultural display of our heritage, woro carnival, drama, youth emancipation programmes, medical check-up, lectures, elders’ day, etc.”
He stated that some new programmes like Ikorodu-Oga Mini Trade Fair and others would be added to this year’s calendar.
“Some new programmes such as Ikorodu-Oga Mini Trade fair will be introduced to give our Entrepreneurs the opportunity to display their wares & products. We are partnering with Ultra Signatures Limited to make this a reality.
“We are also planning to have a Corporate dinner with the Chief Executive Officers of Business Organizations & Enterprises in Ikorodu Division in order for them to interact and explore among themselves how they could be beneficial to one another, thereby, enhancing and growing the economy of Ikorodu Division.
“The dinner is envisaged to be hosted in partnership with Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“Also added to this year’s celebration is a Raffle draw competition which the sale of its tickets commenced a few months ago. The final Raffle draw would be held on the 15th of November 2018, when the winner will emerge and will be presented with the Corolla Saloon car star prize while consolation prizes will also be given to other participants in the draw.
“This is a novel idea brought into the activities of the Oga Carnival. We have also empowered the citizens of the Community indirectly by involving them in the sales of the tickets with accrued commission on the number of tickets sold by them.
He also spoke about the successes of the his administration in the last one year, especially the Ikorodu Economic Summit which was organized to explore the economic potentials of the division.
“It would be recalled that IKODASS, in conjunction with Advocacy for Community Economic Development (A-CED) , organised an Economic Summit geared towards the tapping and exploring of our economic potentialities which, ultimately & hopefully, will expand our business horizon.
“I am glad to inform you that the State Government is currently partnering with us on the realization of some of the recommendations of the Summit and you will in no distant date be updated on developments regarding this relationship with the government.
While commending the Nigerian Breweries, the maker of Trophy larger beer for there support , Otunba Abiru assured the people of Ikorodu on improved packages regarding supports for the Ikorodu- Oga celebration from the giant brewing company and other corporate sponsors .
“In pursuance of our desire to have a better outing this year, we have been talking with the officials of the Nigerian breweries and other corporate sponsors and I want you to be rest assured that, based on the outcome of our meetings, a lot of goodies await us in terms of entertainment during this year’s celebration..
The IKODASS Chairman also revealed the association’s plan to promote indigenous artistes.
“Consequent to our objective to help in the promotion of our indigenous artistes resident in Ikorodu and outside of it, we have reached an agreement to make use of them as both Star & supportive performers. This is one of the ways we can project them for their economic benefit and glory of Ikorodu Community. Trophy will undoubtedly not disappoint us in this regard..
He also assured both local and foreign tourists who would be gracing this year’s edition of the Ikorodu-Oga celebration of adequate security, while also appealing for residents and other stakeholders’ cooperation and supports for a successful outing.
“We are not unaware of the tumultuous crowd at the last year’s edition of the celebration which indeed posed a lot of threat to our security machinery. I wish to state that we have learned from that and we hope to put in place a better security arrangement to avert uncontrollable commotion.
“Regardless of whatever formidable security apparatus we may have in place, the cooperation of the people is crucial to the success of it, therefore, while thanking the generality of the people for maintaining relative peace last year, I want to plead that we try our best possible to maintain peace and orderliness without ignoring the instructions of the security agencies contracted for the celebration.
“Adherence and obedience to these agencies will be the only way to enjoy the benefits of the celebration. The services of both Federal and State Security Agencies as well as the Local security outfits have been secured for the duration of the celebration.
Otunba Abiru also acknowledged the contributions of the governor of Lagos State, Mr Akiinwunmi Ambode, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabiru Shotobi and others towards the successes of the 2017 Ikorodu – Oga celebration and sought their supports for this year’s edition.
“I cannot end this address without expressing our profound gratitude to our Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who has always supported us financially and morally, without which the possibility of organising this programme would have been a pipe dream.
“Our Monarch, HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, and his wife, Olori Abosede Kudirat Shotobi, the Treasure of our time, have always been supportive financially and morally and as the Grand Patron of the association, our Kabiyesi has never let us down. I am using this opportunity to thank him most graciously and as usual, we shall be looking forward to his support for this year’s event as well”, he concluded.
