Kunle Adelabu
The Ojo axis of Lagos West Senatorial District, again, show its political strength with massive turnout at the Boat Regatta display organized by the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Youth Professional Support Group (BOSYOPS) to mobilise support for the re – election of the incumbent governor of the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu.
The event was also used to mobilised support for the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the forthcoming general elections.
Over hundred boats took part in the very colourful and spectacular water display, with riders wearing branded yellow t – shirt and carrying placards showing support for Sanwo – Olu and Hamzat’s re – election and the election of Asiwaju Tinubu as President.
Among them are Kori (known in other Yoruba speaking areas as Osun worshippers) who were on boat appeasing the goddess of water and praying for the success of the event.
One after the other, the boats took their turns to entertain the gathering on the lagoon as their occupants displayed impressive maneuvering skills blended with the rich cultural Awori songs.
Some of the communities in Ojo that took part in the performance were Iyagbe, Iretale, Irede, Ibasa, Igbologun, Etegbin, Igbolobi, Itomoro, Ilashe, Ibeshe, Olomo – Meta, Itoggbesa, Egira and Oko – Agbado among many others.
Their spectacular and breathtaking displays were witnessed by the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Obafemi Hamzat who arrived at the venue on boat with his entourage.
Also at the event were Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Lead Coordinator, BOSYOPS, Hon. Roberts, Special Adviser for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Prince S.J. Samuel, Chairman, BOSYOPS among others.
Dr Hamzat, speaking, commended the boat regatta display as part of the rich cultural heritage of Lagos. He also commended BOSYOPS for championing the re – election campaign of the governor and for organizing the regatta to canvass support for the Presidential and Governorship candidates of the APC.
While informing the Ojo people that the APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu and the Governor of Lagos, Mr Sanwo – Olu, have been the ones speaking for the generality of Nigerians on the policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that has led to scarcity of naira which has been causing them hardship, Dr Hamzat charged them to remember this when they go to the poll to vote in all the elections.
The Lagos Deputy Governor charged the people in Lagos West Senatorial District and Lagos in general to troop out on February 25 for the Presidential and National Assembly and March 11, for the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
Speaking with THE IMPACT, Ms. Olusanya said that the boat regatta is part of BOSYOPS initiative to mobilise riverine residents to vote for the re – election of the governor who has done so much in the past four years, and other candidates on the APC platforms.
“This is our way of mobilizing the people of Ojo and Lagos West Senatorial District, especially the fishermen, sand miners, fish sellers and other rural residents to be part of the process of electing our party’s candidates to continue and sustain good governance”, Ms. Olusanya said.
The Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Roberts, also speaking, charged Ojo residents to remember all that Asiwaju Tinubu has done for Lagos and for many individuals who he had assisted.
He charged residents to vote for him as the President of Nigeria in the coming election. He also called for massive votes for the APC candidates for the Governorship, Senatorial , House of Representatives and State Assembly seats.
Hon. Roberts, who spoke in Awori dialect, enjoined hundreds of people at the regatta to go back home and canvass their family members and friends to vote for all the APC members.
Some of the royal fathers and chiefs in attendance were Oba (Dr)Taofeek Adeboyega Akeju Awojo, the Alahun of Imore and Apapa, Oba Shereederin Bello, Onigbanko of Igbanko land, Oba (Dr) Gausu Alani Rasaq, Ovori of Ibeshe land, Chief Adekunle, Baale of Ikaare Kingdom and Chief Samuel Johnson, Ofori of Ibeshe among others.
