Wale Jagun
The Ranodu of Imota, His Royal Majesty, Oba Bakare Ajibade Agoro, FCA, has joined the Imota Ayayo Development Association and the Organising Committee of the 2023 Imota Ayayo Day, in unveiling the official local fabric, popularly called ‘Ankara’ or ‘Aso Ebi’, for the 2023 edition of the celebration.
The colourful fabric was unveiled at the Ranodu palace at the weekend, with the royal father stating that this year’s Imota Ayayo Day will renewed efforts towards the development of the town.
Oba Agoro charged residents in diasporas to return home to support the community during the celebration which would start on Thursday, November 9, and ends on Sunday, November 12, 2023.
“This is a renewed effort to improve on the past efforts of past leaders to develop Imota. It is a renewed hope like the President said. I am sure that this will be a new and a big beginning that would expose us to further developments that would gladdens the people of this area”, Oba Agoro said.
“Indigenes of Imota in areas and diasporas should return home to join efforts with us to develop Imota. They don’t have any other home apart from Imota. They should come home and support us”, the royal father charged.
Prof. Okedeyi Abiodun Sakiru, PH.D., FNIP, Chairman, Organising Committee for the 2023 Imota Ayayo Day, appealed to residents of Imota to patronize the fabric which, according to him, was picked to add colour to the celebrations.
Okedeyi also gave highlight events for this year’s Ayayo celebration.
“It is a four day affairs starting from Thursday to Sunday. On Thursday which is the opening, we have the Artisan’s day and Royal Parade at the centre garage where they will exhibit their trades”, he said.
“Programmes for Friday are Imota Youth Activities and the First annual lecture which is a new innovation that we are introducing with Mrs Ibukun Awosika, former Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria, as the guest lecturer, who will be talking about the ‘Youth Challenges and Possible Way Out’. She is a motivational speaker. We will also have panel of rapporteurs among them are Prof. Biodun Degoji, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Lagos State University of Science & Technology (LASUSTECH), Mr Fatai Lasisi, former Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Mrs Biola Aberuagba, Assistant Director, Auditor – General Office, Lagos State.
“There is also the Public Service Programme during which awards will be given to deserving members and there will also be Jumat Service.
“Saturday is the grand finale with the Odofin of Ikorodu, Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, as the Chairman of the occasion, Oba Saheed Elegushi as the Royal Father of the day and other important personalities. We shall exhibit the culture and heritage of the town. During the grand finale, we will be giving out the Imota educational endowment fund to the indigent students to further their education.
“On Sunday, we will move to the Church for the thanksgiving”, he said.
Prof. Okedeyi, who charged residents of the ancient to be part of the celebration to make it a huge success, also said that developmental efforts is part of the town’s preparedness for the effects of some of the developments coming into Imota.
“Imota has lot of potentials that can be harnessed for its development. We have the largest Rice mill, CALEB University and at the back of the Rice mill, we have about 40 small scale industries. By the time all these things come into fruition, what will be the gains of the town. We need to prepare ourselves for this challenges and that is why we are giving back”, he said.
Mrs Abiola Olufunke Aberuagaba, Assistant Director, Auditor – General Office, Lagos State, also speaking with our reporter said that the 37th edition of the Imota Ayayo Day will usher in new beginning for the town, and use in charting a new path towards development.
“The 37th Ayayo celebration Day is going to be a very unique one. God destined it to be the beginning of a new era for Imota. We should look forward to greatness; the homecoming of sons and daughters of Imota that has left home”, she said.
“They will be coming willingly and with all sense of gladness. It’s going to be a fruitful one and it will be for development of Imota at large. New things will begin to happen in lmota
“Imota people should see the good things that God has bestowed on Imota. For instance, the name Imota Ayayo means surplus, so, they should know that the more that they participate in anything Imota, there will be increase and enlargement in all their endeavours. They should look forward to the best and be part of this moving train”, Mrs Aberuagba said.
Explaining the concept behind the fabric’s colours, Mrs Aberuagba charged residents to support the annual festival with their purchase of the fabric.
“The attire has three basic colours – gold which means that everything in Imota will become golden; Green which implies plenty and that the land will be green for all to eat and purple which shows the royal of this town. It shows that the glory of this town has come forth. In unveiling this cloth, we are saying that what all these colours depicts that will be brought into the town if the people buy the clothes”, she explained.
“In buying the clothes, it is a support to this town, so, I implore everyone to support the growth of Imota. Imota is moving era and the purchase of the clothes means that you have done your own contribution to the town”.
