Kunle ADELABU
-Appeals for cooperation from residents, others that will be attending
The lkorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) has unveiled activities for the 2019 Ikorodu ‘Oga’ Day celebration, stating that this year’s edition of the state recognized festival is geared towards using culture as an instrument to promote economic, political and social developments.
The programmes were unveiled at a press conference held at the Ikorodu Town hall on Sunday, September 15, 2019. The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Cultural Resolutions: A necessity for socio-economic and political empowerment”.
The organizers also announced that the carnival attire (ankara) is available for sales at the rate of N2000 per six yards.
Alhaji Kolwole Fatai, Deputy Chairman of IKODASS, in his address , stated that the activities for the 2019 celebration would be held between November 9th and 16th.
He stated that Walk for fitness exercise , designed to create awareness for the annual celebration, would kickstart the week-long activities.
“This Year’s Ikorodu-Oga celebration would be held between 9th -16th November, 2019 , and in line with our practice, the Walk for Fitness exercise , which precedes the event proper, would hold on Saturday , 19th October, 2019”.
“The purpose of ‘Walk for fitness’ exercise is to arouse the interest of our people and create the desired awareness about the celebration”.
Some of the programmes unveiled for this year’s celebration were School debate , Marathon race, Beauty competition, Ikorodu Showcases its talents, Woro Carnivals, Youth Emancipation programme, Medical checkup, (prostate and cervical cancer screening), Cultural display of Ikorodu’s heritage, Market expo and cocktails for Corporate Business organization among others.
He also announced the introduction of new programs such as Ikorodu-Oga Cultural & Art Troupe (IKOCAT) which would be launched during the celebration, legal talk in collaboration with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) , Ikorodu Branch, for the purpose of sensitizing and educating people on their rights and privileges.
While thanking sponsors for previous supports, the IKODASS Deputy Chairman also called for continuous supports.
He also stated that the projection of indigenous artistes is of great paramount to IKODASS and appealed to sponsors to be of assistance in this regards.
“Consequent to our objective to help in projecting indigenous artistes resident in Ikorodu and outside of it, we have reached an agreement to make use of them as both star and supportive performers. This is one of the ways we can project them for their economic benefit and glory of Ikorodu community .
While assuring that there would be adequate security to handle the expected large crowd at this year’s edition, Alhaji Kolawole called for the cooperation of the residents and others that will be attending the event.
“We are not unaware of the large crowd at last year’s edition which indeed posed lots of threats to our security machinery. I wish to state that we have improved on our security tactics with the involvement of military personnel and other intelligent agencies to beef up our security challenges in order to avert uncontrollable situation.
“Regardless of whatever formidable security apparatus we may have in place, the co-operation of the people is crucial to the success of it and ,therefore, I am seeking for your maximum co-operation and understanding during the period of the celebration.
“It is my pleasure to inform you that 2019 Ikorodu-Oga Ankara will be available for sale at a cost of N,2000 per 6 yards immediately after the press briefing. Interested buyers could please procure same from IKODASS office” , he announced.
Also speaking, Comrade Okanlawon Pelaiye, IKODASS Secretary, appealed to journalists to change the narrative about Ikorodu from negative to positive.
He stated that there are many positive social, economic and political developments and great tourism potentials that are abound in the town.
