Kunle Adelabu
-Asipa Kaoli, Alhaja Sanni bag Achievers award
His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa (Oba) Engr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu presenting IKODASS Achiever award to Asipa Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya, the Asipa of Ikorodu Kingdom. With them, Olori Shotobi, wife of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, IKODASS Chairman and Ms Ruth Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture among other dignitaries.
The Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, has used the occasion of the second edition of the Royal Banquet in honour of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa (Oba) Engr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi, to call on eminent citizens and dignitaries of lkorodu to support the organization’s projects.
He specifically solicited support for the IKODASS Play Writing Competition which winner will be announced at the Grand Finale of the 31st Ikorodu – Oga Day Carnival.
During the banquet held at the Ikorodu Ultra – Modern Town Hall, Ikorodu, on Sunday, November 13, 2022, the former Commissioner for Agriculture and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asipa Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya and Alhaja Shukurat Modupe Sanni (Shine Shine), were honoured with IKODASS Achievers Award.
The two honorees were presented with the awards by the Ayangbure who commended both of them for their contributions which he said were being recognized by the community.
Meanwhile, the IKODASS Chairman, Mr Erogbogbo, speaking at the event, said that the banquet is an avenue to see the array of important dignitaries that Ikorodu possesses, who, according to him, are making great impacts on Ikorodu and beyond.
“It is important we hold occasions like this for a few reasons. A banquet like this allows Kabiyesi to see and know that, without a doubt, the throne has people; worthy sons and daughters he can count on in the development of Ikorodu”, Erogbogbo said.
“A gathering like this is good because it shows Ikorodu for what it is, a land of great men and women doing great things everywhere for the greater good of our city, state and country”.
Soliciting for support, the IKODASS Chairman said that the performance of the winning play in the Play Writing will go round the theatre around the globe and improve Ikorodu’s image.
“We require your support for some prime projects coming on stream. For instance, the first phase of the IKODASS Play Writing Competition has been concluded. Winners will be announced at the Grand Finale on Saturday, but that is only the beginning’’, he said.
“The performance of the winning play will go on a world theatre tour propagating the gospel of Ikorodu around the world. It is yet the biggest PR ever for our dear city. We need your support to make the world hear our story”, he solicited.
Another project mentioned by Erogbogbo is Ikorodu Through Your Lens, a photography competition to showcase Ikorodu through pictures.
“ ‘lkorodu Through Your Lens’, is another worthy project. It is a simple photography competition that takes advantage of the selfie interest of this generation”, he said.
“It shall curate a minimum of 500 great pictures of our dear city annually and domicile them on the internet for people to freely access”.
The Chairman of the occasion, High Chief Olawale Mogaji, commended the IKODASS and entire Ikorodu people for the annual celebrations which he said gives residents a sense of belonging.
“When the Chairman of IKODASS, Mr Erogbogbo, approached me to chair the occasion, I felt humbled and highly honoured to accept the invitation. Ikorodu-Oga Day celebrations could be likened to our ‘Kayo – Kayo’ Festival in Epe, during which indigenes and residents of the town seize the opportunity to reunite with family and friends”, Chief Mogaji said.
“There is no doubt that Ikorodu-Oga Day has become an annual cultural festival that brings sons and daughters of Ikorodu together and has created a sense of belonging to the community.
“I commend the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association for their giant strides in promoting Ikorodu-Oga Day to these enviable heights that all indigenes; both at home and in Diaspora, are looking forward to every year as another home coming”.
He also felicitated the Ayangbure of Ikorodu for elevating the annual festival to an event that draws attention around the globe.
“I am an advocate and believer in our cultural heritage. I, therefore, congratulate Kabiyesi for his efforts in taking Ikorodu-Oga Day to the level of an international cultural festival”, he said.
Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, in his response after the award, thanked the guests and the royal fathers for the honour.
He charged guests at the banquet to support the Presidential aspiration of the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Other dignitaries at the award are His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba David Balogun Raji, the Eweye of Isiwu, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, GAC chieftain, Hon. (Chief) Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Otunba Ayodeke Elesho, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom, Bashorun Babatunde Rotinwa, former Chairman, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, Dr (Otunba) Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, Permanent Member, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) among others.
