Kunle Adelabu & Wale Jagun
It was a memorable ceremony at the grand finale of the 2018 edition of the annual Ikorodu Oga Day Carnival organized by the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) as top government functionaries graced the occasion to identify with the royal father and the entire people of Ikorodu Kingdom.
The event, which was the climax of the weeklong celebration, was held at the Ayangbure palace on Saturday, November 16, 2019.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Special Adviser on Agriculture, Ms. Ruth Olusanya, was the special Guest of Honour at the event.
IKODASS Chairman, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, while welcoming guests and residents to the event, stated that the annual event has been bringing sons and daughters of Ikorodu together.
“This is one event that has continually been bringing together all sons and daughters of Ikorodu Kingdom and indeed Ikorodu Division, both at home and in diaspora.
“A weeklong event that has engendered the growth of social interactions and economic prosperity of our people. One event in Ikorodu Division that has on yearly basis expanded in scope, charactered in glitz and glamour and above all, attracted on daily to the Town Hall, a minimum of three thousand people in conviviality and other developmental programmes which distinctly distinguished Oga Day celebration as the most popular, colourful, entertaining and educative of all the township celebrations in Lagos State”, he stated.
He assured that IKODASS will continue to blaze the trail in making the celebration very relevant to the yearnings and aspirations of indigenes and residents alike.
According to Otunba Abiru, this year’s celebration, themed, “Cultural Revolution – A Necessity for Socio-Economic & Political Empowerment”, is “meant to re-awake our consciousness to the inherent benefitting values in culture which can be used as a catalyst for socio-economic and political emancipation of our people” , Abiru stated.
“IKODASS has continued to use culture as a veritable tool of engagement with our teeming youths as well as the elders and proudly, we can say that the outcome has been encouraging and impressive”.
Rendering the stewardship of account of his administration in the last three year, Otunba Abiru stated that, “Within the last three years, the institution of IKODASS has organized an Ikorodu Division Economic Summit which had, as participants, government functionaries, business tycoons, politicians, professionals in various fields without forgetting the traditional rulers”.
He added that the summit has given birth to the Ikorodu Division Economic Forum, a legal corporate entity with Dr Bawa-Alla as the Chairman while also stating that the Forum has since been working on some projects which are expected to change the economic status of Ikorodu Division.
Other achievements and initiatives of the Otunba Abiru led IKODASS administration are publication of the Ikorodu Market Directory, Market Expo, Ikorodu Oga Cultural Troupe (IKOCAT), Spelling Bee Competition/Youths Talent Show and sponsoring of Vocational and Skill acquisition programme for youths among others.
Otunba Yinka Lawal-Solarin, the Bashorun Oga of Ikorodu (royal ambassador between Ikorodu and Remo Kingdom) and the chairman of the occasion, in his address, stated that the essence of the annual community celebration is enable residents to fellowship, especially with those in diasporas.
“I am highly honoured to be appointed the chairman of the 28th Ikorodu Oga Day celebrations. The essence of Ikorodu Oga Day celebration, organized by IKODASS (Ikorodu Oga Development Association), is the reunion of all the Ikorodu indigenes, particularly those in the diaspora, for fellowship on this August Day”, he stated.
“I am extremely proud to be one of those Ikorodu citizens in the diaspora who has been elected as the Bashorun Oga of Ikorodu Kingdom.”
Otunba Solarin, who stated that he is proud of his Ikorodu origin, also commended IKODASS for using the platform of the annual celebration to promote the social and economic development of Ikorodu.
“This is a clear case of “Omobowale” who is proud to be here today (Saturday) not only as the chairman of the occasion but a proud new citizen of Ikorodu Kingdom.
“Over the years, IKODASS, through the Ikrodu Oga Day celebration, had contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the Ikorodu Kingdom”.
According to Otunba Solarin, his job as Bashorun Oga is, “To serve as an ambassador to improve the relationship between these two important Kingdoms (Remo and Ikorodu)”.
He stated that the re-establishment of traditional and cultural diplomatic relationship between Ikorodu and Shagamu Kingdoms “will definitely further the development of the two towns and cooperation between them in the future”.
In her brief speech on behalf of the Governor, Ms. Olusanya, stated that the Mr Sanwo-Olu appreciated the people of Ikorodu for voting him into the government as Governor of Lagos State.
“The governor is very appreciative of everything that you have done towards his ascension to being the Governor of Lagos State.
“Unfortunately, the governor, who would have loved to be here personally, has to go on official assignment to China and USA. He ably recognized IKODASS and done what is appropriate towards making sure that this event is a success”.
Speaking in her own capacity, Ms Olusanya stated that any community that recognize and celebrate her culture will develop.
“As the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State, I am truly proud to be a daughter of Ikorodu. This would be one of the few occasions that I will be attending here but I believe that Ikorodu will rise as long as we celebrate our culture and heritage”, she stated.
While addressing the youths, Ms. Olusanya stated that:
“To the youths of Ikorodu, I just want to say that we are all in this together. We will make Ikorodu and Lagos State great together”.
Rt. Hon. Obasa, also speaking at the event, stated that the essence of the celebration is to promote culture and tradition of Ikorodu people.
He pleaded with royal fathers to also ensure that Yoruba Language is used at official ceremonies in order to preserve it.
In his goodwill message at the celebration, Senator Adebayo Osinowo, while stating that people without culture is lost, charged other communities to emulate the way Ikorodu has been promoting its cultural and traditional values.
More so, Oba Kabir Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, in his royal address at the occasion, stated that:
“During the campaign (last year), the governor was in our midst to celebrate with us and today, as the governor of Lagos, he has not forgotten us. Although, he is not available because of his official schedule but he has sent a worthy representative.
The royal father appealed to the residents to support the government.
He added that, “The Sobaloju of Ikorodu (Rt. Hon. Mudashiru) has been with us in Ikorodu. He has always been here to support us. He was with us about a week ago for the celebration of Asa festival in Ikorodu.
Oba Shotobi also commended Senator Bayo Osinowo, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Hon. Sanai Agunbade and Hon. Nurudeen Solaja for their supports.
Other important dignitaries at the celebration were Chief (Mrs) Mayowa Abeke Ikuforiji, wife of the former Speaker of the Lagos Assembly and the chairperson of the day, Hon. … Okanlawon, member of the Lagos Assembly, Dr … Omolaja, President of the Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA), Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, chairman of the Ikorodu Local Government, Comrade Sesan Daini, chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Vice Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government and Otunba Kunle Oyebola, former Chairman of IKODASS.
Also at the grand finale to pay homage to the Ayangbure of Ikorodu were groups like Sanwo-Olu Progressives Movement, Wadesh Babes, Ikorodu North LCDA, Team Pepper, Abike Ladies, Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation, Progressives Association of Ikorodu Division, Community Development Committee and Market Women and Men among others.
After the official grand finale ceremony at the Ayangbure palace, the 233 registered clubs in Ikorodu, residents and groups converged on the Ikorodu Town hall as well as the popular Owolowo, Isikalu and Ayangbure roads, where they were entertained by different musicians and Deejays till late in the night.
