Kunle ADELABU & Mariam AKINLOYE
-Ebute-Iga Introduces Founder’s Day, Launches Logos
– Masquerade and Historical Museums in pipeline
-Commendations trail initiatives as prominent individuals were honoured
Prince Abiola Kosoko, the Alashe of Ebute-Iga unveiling Liwe festival, Asajon (Ebute-Iga’s progenitor) and Founder’s week logo’s during the grand finale of 2019 edition of Liwe festival held at Sea Coach Terminal, Ebute-Iga, on Saturday, March 23, 2019. With him were some chieftains and members of Eshinlokun/Kosoko family
The Lagos State Government has been urged to support the tourism development drive of the people of Ebute-Iga and the entire Ikorodu division.
Eminent individuals and stakeholders in Ikorodu made the clarion call at the grand finale of 2019 edition of the Ebute-Iga Liwe festival held at Sea Coach Terminal, Ebute-Iga, on Saturday, March 23, 2019.
In its quest to further preserve the history of the kingdom and develop her local tourism potentials, three logos – Liwe festival, Asajon Otuyelu (founder of the community) and Founder’s Day were unveiled.
The 2019 edition of the annual festival started on the evening of Thursday, March 21 with ‘Aisun’ (Vigil) at the Ebute-Iga palace and the traditional sailing of two boats to “Okogo” (Igo farm) on Friday, March 22 respectively.
Certificates of participation were issued to the 45 crew members that successfully sailed to “Okogo”.
Aside eminent personalities, groups and clubs that attended this year’s edition, members of Asajon/Kosoko/Eshinlokun families, both home and abroad, also graced the colourful and memorable events.
The Alashe (head of Liwe) of Ebute-Iga, Prince Abiola Kosoko, while welcoming guests and families, stated the importance of the ancient Kingdom of Ebute-Iga.
“I welcome everyone to Ebute with great honour.
“Ebute-Iga is one of the ancient towns in Lagos East and we have so many things that most people around us do not know”.
While establishing the relationship between Ikorodu and Lagos Island that has existed for centuries, Alashe stated that Ebute –Iga has produced three Obas and five Asajons of Lagos Island.
“Let us let you know that Ebute-Iga Kindom had produced three kings in Lagos Island – King Eshinlokun, King Idowu Ojulari and King Kosoko.
“We had also produced five Asajons Lagos namely Ifadunmo Otuyelu (projenitor), Asajon Kuyinu Otuyelu, Asajon Momod Oteniya Kosoko, Asajon Aminu Odunsi Kosoko, and Asajon Aminu Odunsi Kosoko. Right now, the stool is vacant and we are hoping that before the end of this year, it would be occupied and as soon as that is done, the narrative that Ebute-Iga has no king will change.
“We have been able to compile important information regarding Ebute-Iga in the pamphlet in your hands. It is part of our efforts to preserve little part of history of Ebute-Iga. You should endeavour to get a copy.
“I welcome you to Ebute-Iga, the first settlement in Ikorodu division”.
Speaking with the press, Prince Kosoko, who stated that he’s comfortably fulfilled, explained the reason behind the three logos unveiled at the grand finale.
“The logo of Liwe festival that was unveiled today is to enable people see that despite its traditional nature, Liwe is still a festival they can relate with. It is a festival that create social gathering for people and a tourist attraction. With the logo, we are trying to create an image for its friendly nature and to make it to be accepted and recognized.
“The Founder’s Day, which logo was also unveiled, would feature the celebration of the founder of this great kingdom who was the 36th son of Ooni of Ife, our past leaders, youth day, women empowerment day among others starting from next year”.
Speaking on the aim of the festival, he stated that:
“We are using this festival to promote our local tourism and to also take it to international level. Liwe has come to stay and shall continue to be with us.
“This is the most advanced Awori town in Ikorodu division that speaks pure Awori”.
Prince Kosoko also revealed plans to preserve Ebute-Iga’s heritage and promote local tourism in the next few months.
“In the next few months, we shall be laying the foundation of Ebute-Iga Masquerade Museum and Ebute-Iga Historical Museum. These museums will showcase the history of the kingdom which has been in existence for centuries. If we don’t start talking about what we have right now, it will be difficult for Lagos State Government to identify with our heritage”, he stated.
“Boat regatta, which many have been clamouring for, is going to be part of our founder’s week event which we are commencing next year. It’s going to be a full day affair for the boat regatta so that people can enjoy the beautiful display. Right now, we have been able to put together an association of boat regatta comprising of twelve communities within the Ikorodu division.
A lawmaker representing the Ikorodu constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Nurudeen Solaja, while commending Prince Kosoko for promoting preservation of history and promoting tourism development in the division, called for more support from the government.
“I congratulate Prince Kosoko, the Alashe of Ebute-Iga . This is the kind of result that you get when you put a young man with a mission and vision in a position of responsibility. You should not be surprised with what he has been doing, including the celebration of today’s festival.
“He understands that the importance of this Liwe festival as a foremost tradition which is usually the first festival to be celebrated before others and he’s doing everything to preserve it.
“Alashe has been in the forefront of cultural promotion and has also been making our heritage worthy celebrating. He deserves our kudos.
“Since Ebute-Iga is one of the foremost towns in Ikorodu division, it’s important that we preserve her heritages which is what Alashe is doing”.
While commending the efforts of the Lagos State Government in promoting cultural heritages and tourism, the lawmaker also enjoined the government to do more.
“In Lagos State today, the way we are celebrating and preserving our cultural heritage is fantastic and if you go out of the country, people appreciate such effort more. The Lagos House of Assembly allocates budget for cultural promotion and preservation every year and we have a ministry dedicated to it and agencies that manage them.
“Our people in the division should emulate what Alashe Kosko is doing. He has been financing, managing and promoting cultural values in Ebute-Iga alone and the state and local governments should intervene by financing these festivals that he has been promoting so that he can be able to preserve these cultures for generation yet unborn.
Otunba (Dr) Fatai Olukoga, former Special Adviser on Education and Member, Governing Council, Christian University, Abeokuta, speaking with journalists, commended Prince Kosoko and the people of Ebute-Iga’s effort in preserving their history.
He described his experience at the event as fascinating.
“When I was first invited, I really did not know what I was coming for but on getting here, I became fascinated with what I saw on ground.
“The festival promotes our cultures in Ikorodu and that of Yoruba people generally . As somebody that come from Liwe family, what I witnessed here today really touched my inner most part.
“With this, Alashe Ebute-Iga has made outsiders know that we have great and rich cultures. He has been able to tell us how Ebute-Iga was founded by its progenitor by re-enacting the importance of migration in human settlement and the role of Ifa oracle in this.
“In actual fact, I am just getting to know the history and extent of Ebute-Iga territory. I have been around and I witnessed the community setting and their cultures which fascinated me and I will have to make my coming here to be more often “.
He recalled the efforts of Mr Babatunde Fashola’s administration in cultural integration in the state.
“We have integrated culture into governance in Lagos State since the administration of Mr Babatunde Fashola, because we want our children to develop values and morals and we have to sustain that to preserve our values”.
Mr Amusa Mohammed Olawale, the Proprietor, HOMAT Group of Schools, also commended the cultural preservation effort of Alashe Kosoko and people of Ebute-Iga.
“A festival like this enables us to know the history of our fathers, town and at the same time, serves as a lesson for our youths. History is very important to our daily existence and it’s part of our culture.
“Today, we have seen many cultural groups that have performed and they reminded us of our cultural values and at the same time, entertained us”.
He called on the government to invest more in tourism which he said could be another source of income to the government.
“From what we have witnessed today, apart from this place being a beach, there are whole lots that we can develop. There is nothing wrong in having a park here for picnics which can serves as source of revenue for Ebute-Iga and the government.
“Resort can be developed in this location because of its serene nature to host visitors from outside Ikorodu which would as well serves as source of income”, Mr Amusa stated.
“This festival is very commendable. The first time I met with Alashe Kosoko, I queried his linkage with Ikorodu and he told many convincing stories that made me come to term with the fact that Ebure-Iga has a very rich culture. I used to believe that Ebute-Iga is under Ipakodo but according to history that he enumerated, the community is an independent entity with its own identity.
“Prince Kosoko, through his Origin Garden, brought lion and other animals to Ikorodu and he is a man that is knowledgeable and has traversed several countries.
“We used to celebrate Easter picnic in Ebute-Iga in those years and when he spoke with me, I remembered how I went to the middle of the Lagoon with aide of a boat and returned to beating from my sister.
“Prince Kosoko is blessed with rich sense of traditional history about Ebute-Iga. I cannot really remember all of it but they are worth preserving”, he stated while commending Alashe Ebute-Iga.
“What he is doing is very commendable because if you do not know your history, you probably will not know where you are going. History can make or consume you depending on how you put it into use”.
Mr Oshikoya challenged the people of Ikorodu to do more in preserving their heritages and culture.
“There are lots of things that we need to do in Ikorodu in term of projecting and preserving our histories. Our political figures like TOS Benson, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Gbadamosi among others conquered their territories and professions. We ought to be greater than this. We ought to be celebrated wherever we go. Our presence in government is not really impactful enough “.
Leader of Kosoko Descendant team from Republic of Benin to the festival commended the preservation of history of Ebute-Iga.
“We are proud that our people are still preserving our ancestor’s culture. We need our people in Lagos to embrace us and always relate with us. I am the one in-charge of Balufon deity and I will like to meet with followers of Balufon in Lagos. We need to be united and cooperate with one another wherever we are”. %
Recognition awards were bestowed on Hon. . Babajimi Benson, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun, Prince Babajide Kosoko, Alhaja Monsurat Paramole, Chief Imam Musafau Aridegbe Kosoko, Seas Coach Ferry, Ikorodu Crystal Club and Justrite Stores for their supports for Ebute-Iga.
Prince I.A Kola Balogun, Chief Ahmed Ojebiyi Olokodana, Primero Limited, Bobby’s place, Alhaja Mutiat Balogun, Otunba Waliu Daisi, Princess Jumoke Jimbo-Ademehin, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Baale Lateef S. Eshinlokun, Baalw Waheed Ojebiyi, Baale O.Y.O Fatola and Baale Oladapo Ojebiyi were given Certificates of Honour.
Also, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Otunba (Dr) Fatai Olukoga and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture among others
