Kunle ADELABU
-Calls on investors to tap into new opportunities in Igbogbo
In the next one week, it would be celebration galore for the residents of Igbogbo Kingdom in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, as the community is set to celebrate the 30th edition of the annual Igbogbo Day.
Several programmes and activities have been lined up to mark the celebration of the annual event which was first staged in June 1988.
These programmes and activities were unveiled by the members of the Executive of Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA) during the press conference held at the Adeboruwa palace on Friday, November 16,2018, to herald this year’s celebration which is themed, ‘ Festival Of New Beginning’.
On Friday, November 16, ‘Iwure’ ( Prayers for successful outing), Press Conference and Jumat service are scheduled to open the activities.
On the same day, there is going to be Dinner with Adeboruwa at Mikkson Onas Event hall in Igbogbo.
The second edition of Igbogbo Day International Festival which was introduced in 2017 is scheduled for Saturday, November 17, at the Adeboruwa palace, while Sunday, November 18, is scheduled as Artistes Day and Ram Fighting Competition.
Monday, November 18 is Education Day, while Cultural Day is slated for Tuesday, November 20 and Wednesday, November 21 is scheduled for Health Day.
Oloja/Adeboruwa Day, Mini-Trade Fair, Youth empowerment and Youth Gala Nite would all hold on Thursday, November 22, while ‘Miss Adeboruwa Beauty Pageant’ is slated for Friday, November 23 at Mikkson Onas hall.
Saturday, November 24 is scheduled as the grand finale of the celebration at the Igbogbo stadium. The ceremony is expected to feature popular Fuji musician, Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma. The final draw for the raffle tickets would also be held on the same day.
According to the organizers, the star prize for the raffle draw winner is a bus.
Explaining the purpose of the annual celebration, Mr Francis Sonubi, the IDEA Secretary, stated that it is aimed at mobilising indigenes, both home and abroad, to participate, drive economic development and showcase opportunities in Igbogbo.
“The purpose of the annual celebration is to mobilize sons and daughters of Igbogbo to participate in the annual celebration.
“Their participation is to drive economic, infrastructural and social developments in the community.
“We are also showcasing our tradition and cultural heritage to the outside world”, he stated.
He equally used the occasion to call on investors to explore the new business opportunities in the town which he said was made possible by the opening up of road networks and banking operations in the community.
“Igbogbo is now opened for business because our road networks have been opened up. If you go round the community, you will discover that we now have commercial banks now in Igbogbo. So also is the transport business which is a sign of population explosion”.
“Igbogbo is now an open hub; a place for people to do business and advance other opportunities. Economically, any business that comes here will thrive.
He stated that the new economic opportunities in the community encouraged the theme for this year’s celebration of Igbogbo Day which is, ‘Festival of New Beginning”.
Speaking on the Igbogbo Day International Festival scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 17, 2018, he said:
“The festival is to promote unity among and between the indigenous tribe and other tribes in Igbogbo; mobilise them for participation in the annual event and showcase the abundant cultural values in Igbogbo”.
“With the festival, we are also promoting tourism, culture and the traditional heritages in Igbogbo. These tribes will have the opportunity of showcasing their culture and we are going to award the best three tribes with mouth-watering cash prizes and other gifts”, he stated.
The IDEA Secretary also stated that proceeds from this year’s edition would be used to fund the Igbogbo City Hall and Development Project initiated last year.
“Like last year, proceeds from this year’s celebration will also be used to fund the proposed Igbogbo City Hall and Development Project.
“We have approached the government and the paperwork is at the last stage of approval. The project is going to be cited very close to Zumratul Secondary School in Igbogbo. We are working on the paper of transfer because the land belongs to the Lagos State Government.
“As a body, we have physical projects, human development programmes and welfare projects for the vulnerable, elderly people and widows and this is the reason we also have Welfare Day as part of our programmes for the celebration.
