Kunle Adelabu
Ikorodu residents at the Fitness Festival Season II on Saturday
It was yet another opportunity for residents of Ikorodu Division, especially the youths, as they converged and engaged in fitness exercises to keep their mental alertness and physical body in shape.
Hundreds of residents, some of whom were elderly persons, had great time exercising their bodies with good music at the seaside of lagoon.
The occasion was the second edition of the Ikorodu Fitness Festival held at the Metro Ferry Terminal, Ebute – Iga, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria.
Mr Odufeko Tolulope Pukka, the Chjef Executive, Styleurfitnesss Pukka Comceor (2nd right standing), Barr. Luqman Akinsanya, Pepc Foundation founder (4th right), MilOBABY, a sports presenter (left), Omolara Awolesi, a participant (2nd left) and some fitness instructors and others at the festival
Some of the fitness activities engaged in at the event were Battle rope challenge, Tug of war, Tyre flipping challenge and Fitness Drills challenge with participants drilled at the festival by a renowned fitness coach, Mr Eric Brown of Shedams and Benefit, whose presence added glamour to the gathering.
The annual sporting festival was organized by Styleurfitness Pukka Concepts founded by Mr Odufeko Tolulope Emmanuel Pukka, who is also a fitness instructor.
The festival, which is gradually turning into a tourism gathering in Ikorodu Division, usually holds every last Saturday in August.
Mr Eric, a fitness instructor leading a session at the festival.
The brain behind the initiative, Mr Odufeko Tolulope Emmanuel Pukka, said that the fitness festival came into being to continually educate residents of Ikorodu on the importance of fitness to daily living.
He also said that fitness enhances social and economic developments of the society.
“This is fitness festival and the biggest fitness party ever in Ikorodu Division. It’s the season two of it”, Mr Odufeko said.
“The whole idea came into being when I discovered that the importance of fitness is not known to a lot of people. It has a lot of social values which we are trying to spread through this festival.
Participants in Battle rope challenge
“It helps in creating employment, self – defense.
“So, the whole essence of this fitness festival is to continually sensitise the whole community on the importance of fitness exercise to them, community and the country at large”, he emphasized.
On the sustenance of the idea, Odufeko said that the initiative will be giving more commitment while efforts are in top gear to bring in sponsors.
“The initiative will first and foremost be sustained by my commitment and that of my team. Also, since the festival is fixed for every last Saturday in August, we intend to plan our publicity and other engagements”, he said.
Alhaji Yinka Quadri, Nollyhood chieftain and popular actor (right) with others on the stage.
“We also intend to engage schools and clubs in exercises and as well keep the vibe of the Ikorodu Fitness Festival in the minds of everybody.
“We are also planning to engage more corporate bodies and groups to partner with us”, he added.
Prince Hakeem Olukunga, former Member, Governing Board, Lagos State Sports Commission and Chairman, Lagos State NAPHER –SD, said that this year’s edition was an improvement on the previous season.
Ikorodu Bois with Still Young, a radio presenter at the festival
Prince Haleem Olukunga, former Member, Governing Board, Lagos State Sports Commission and Mr Eric, a fitness instructor at the festival
“We were here last year, and I think there is great improvement this year. We have the Lions Club and others that are participating this year. I think it’s a big step forward from last year’s edition”, he said.
He charged residents of Ikorodu to always involve in fitness exercise for their own good.
Mr Eric , a guest instructor at the fitness festival, described the initiative as laudable and right thing.
An elderly woman (right) and others at the fitness festival
“This is a laudable initiative and so far, they are doing the right thing and today, we have more people than the last time”, he said.
“One of the ways that we can sustain the initiative is to keep finding ways to encourage the organisers by getting companies to be part of it”.
The Constituency Manager of Rep. Babajimi Benson, Mr Rasheed Aregbesola, also speaking with our reporter, said that he partook in the fitness event because of its importance to life.
“I am here this morning to keep fit because we can’t just be eating and sleeping at home. We must ensure that we keep fit because health is wealth. Part of the ways to stay fit is to engage in exercise and that is why we are here today. It‘s very essential for us”, Aregbesola said.
Boxing section at the festival.
Aregbesola, who said that he was part of the first edition, told our reporter that he is looking forward to the third edition next year.
He charged organisers to work towards getting more sponsors, come up with more initiatives to make the festival more enticing and enriching.
Mathew Okugbe, a sports journalist and presenter who was also part of the fitness festival, said that the organisers’ efforts wwould instill the culture of fitness into the daily activities of the residents.
“I must commend the organisers of this initiative for been able to organize an event of this nature. It is the second edition and that tells you that there is a leap and pragmatic idea into making fitness part of our daily lives and staging it in an ambience of this nature, tells you that the organisers really know what they are doing”, he said.
Massive crowd at the festival
Arizona, Kutere, Adelabu and Aregbesola at festival
Other important dignitaries that graced the festival were Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Mr Austin Awulonu, Chief of Staff to the IKODASS Chairman and veteran move producer, Alhaji Yinka Quadri, Chieftain and veteran Nollyhood actor, Mr Oke Godwin OlaOluwa, a chieftain of the Ikorodu Division Economic Summit, Barr. Luqman Akinsanya, the Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Pepc Foundation and Mr Seun Elesho, General Secretary, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and the popular ikorodu Bois.
The festival was supported by Pepc Foundation, Lions Club among others.
Mr Austin Awulonu, a movie producer, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and Kinle Adelabu at the festival.
