Kunle ADELABU
The organizers of ASA festival in Lagos State, IREP – Ikorodu Division Rebirth Foundation, has announced that the second edition of the annual festival would hold on Saturday, December 8, 2018.
This year’s edition, which would be enjoying state government’s recognition due to the tremendous success and accolades recorded by the maiden edition in 2017, is billed to hold at the Ikorodu Town Town.
According to the release signed by the Chairman, Publicity Committee of Festival, Alhaji Murisiku Olalekan Olalekan, this year’s edition of the festival is tagged, ‘Asa –Ere Osupa 2018’.
Alhaji Olalekan stated that the second edition of the festival would be used to promote cultural value and tourism potentials in Ikorodu division and Lagos State in general.
“This year’s edition of the annual Asa Festival will project the dynamic culture and hospitality of the people of Lagos State in general and Ikorodu division in particular. With the events that would be showcased during the celebration, the festival would linger in the memory of residents and visitors, for a long time to come”, he stated.
“ASA Carnival, which is one of the approved annual cultural events of Lagos State government, is a traditional cum social festival we stage every year to highlight our rich cultural heritages in many towns in Ikorodu division.”
He also stated that the initiative is IREP’s contribution to the state government’s agenda for tourism, hospitality, entertainment and sports.
“This event is part of the commitments of the State Government to use entertainment as a springboard to drive development and market the state’s potentials to domestic and foreign investors who will contribute meaningfully towards making Lagos a smart city.”
Alhaji Olalekan assured the public that the initiator of the festival, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, is still very much committed to the promotion of the festival to a world-class tourism show.
“May I inform you that the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Oyeniran Bolanle Agunbiade, who initiated the festival, is still very much committed to making it a world class annual event. Asa carnival, which was first held last year jointly in Ikorodu division, has been rebranded and repackaged to further project the uniqueness of the Asa masquerade to the world”, he assured.
“Besides entertainment and fun-making, the carnival will offer upcoming artistes and tradesmen opportunities to exhibit their skills and market their products which fit into the agenda of the organizers. IREP – Ikorodu Division Rebirth Foundation as well as Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade, who initiated the festival, are still unrelenting in their determination to sell Asa to the world as a tourist attraction.
While emphasising the importance of the ASA festival in promoting the cultural heritages of the people of Ikorodu division, Alhaji Olalekan stated that, “A people without culture are people without identity.
