Kunle Adelabu
-Announces activities for 35th Igbogbo Day celebration
The organisers of the annual Igbogbo Day Celebration and the Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), have lauded the infrastructural developments that the Igbogbo Kingdom in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA in Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, has been experiencing in the recent times, stating that the developments, which are changing the socio – economic spheres of the ancient town, are enough reasons to celebrate and request for more.
They commended the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olushola Sanwo – Olu, Senator representing the Lagos East, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru and representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson among others, for the strides.
The community acknowledged this at the press conference held at the Oba Johnson Fatola Pavillon, Adeboruwa Palace, Igbogbo, which herald the 35th edition of the annual day celebration slated to hold between Saturday, November 11 and Sunday, November 26, 2023.
Activities marking this year’s edition, as unveiled, would commence with a Walkout with Adeboruwa on Saturday, November 16; Iwure (Thursday, November 16), Jumat & Public Service Day (Friday, November 17); Woro (Saturday, 18); Induction into Igbogbo hall of Fame, Luncheon with Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Presentation of award of Excellence and Induction into Igbogbo Ambassadors (Sunday, November 19); Final Education (Monday, November 20) and Cultural Day (Tuesday, November 21).
Also, Final Adeboruwa Competition (Wednesday, November 22); Oloja Adeboruwa Day and Youth Gala and Youth Gala (Thursday, November 23); Community Development Day (Saturday, November 24), Grand Finale (Saturday, November 25) and Christian Thanksgiving Service and Elders’ Night (Sunday, November 26).
Mr Nasir Titilope Andu-Balogun, Chairman, Igbobgo Day Planning Committee, addressing members of the media at the event, stated that the 7th coronation anniversary of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, will also be celebrated alongside the community day, while he added that developmental projects that are happening in Igbogbo community call for celebration.
He listed the ongoing reconstruction of the Ipakodo – Igbogbo – Asiwaju Bola Tinubu – Igbe Road, Nigerian Immigration Office among other projects that are changing the socio – economic lives of the community.
“The 2023 Igbogbo Day themed: OGO S’OGO (GLORY TO GLORY), is the 35th edition and also coincided with the 7th Coronation Anniversary of HRM Oba Abdul-Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom”, he said.
“Indeed, we have reasons to praise the blessings of God Almighty for His favor on the Land of Cool Beauty, considering the enormous ongoing infrastructural projects in Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area. Among these includes: the Nigeria Immigration Service Igbogbo Passport Office, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road, Igbogbo Sports Stadium, Obafemi Awolowo Road and the newly constructed and commissioned Akin Ogunlewe Road, not forgetting the 13KM Oreta Road captured in the approved supplementary budget of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) led Federal Government of Nigeria”, Mr Andu said while listing some of the projects.
Andu, who stated that the maiden edition of the Igbogbo Day in USA came up this year, also charged other sons and daugthers of Igbogbo in other parts of the world to also initiate similar idea in their countries of abode.
“In the same year, our brothers and sisters in the far away United States of America, birthed the maiden edition of Igbogbo Day in New York, USA, on Saturday, 8th July, 2023, which enable many of Igbogbo indigenes in USA to gather to celebrate our heritage. Consequently, we are using this medium to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Canada, United Kingdom and Europe, to consider replicating same in their various places.
“On this note, the ‘OGO S’OGO’ mantra is achieved as a result of the roles and contributions of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Senator Mikhail Adetokunbo Abiru representing Lagos East Senatorial District in the Senate House, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Ikorodu Federal Constituency Representatives in the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, Member Ikorodu Constituency II, Lagos State House of Assembly and our own resourceful Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development, Builder Olusesan Mayokun Daini and elected Councillors across the 5 Wards in Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area.
“Also on the list is the founder of KICC Church – Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo, for considering Igbogbo Kingdom for his ongoing global crusade at Igbogbo Stadium in Lagos State. On behalf of the people of Igbogbo Kingdom, we say thank you Sir”.
The Igbogbo Day Planning Committee Chairman also announced that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and the Oniba of Iba, HRM Oba Sulaimon Raji, would be the Chairman and Royal Father at this year’s Igbogbo Day celebration grand finale.
“Also appreciated is the Chairman of the Grand-Finale of the 35th Igbogbo Day, Rt (Hon.) Mudashiru Obasa – the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, the Royal Father of the Day – HRM (OBA) Dr. Sulaimon Adesina Raji, Ilufemiloye 1, Oniba Ekun of Iba Kingdom”, he said.
He called on the indigenes and residents of igbogbo to join hands with the committee in staging a successful celebration.
Builder Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, in an interview with THE IMPACT, also emphasized the role of the annual celebration in the community’s success story, adding that the annual event also afforded sons, daughters and residents of Igbogbo to showcase their hospitality to the world and engage the youths.
“Igbogbo Day 2023 is actually going to be more interesting than what it used to be because the organisers are very innovative and creative. They have introduced a lot of new things that make people more interested in the celebration year –in and year – out”, the Council boss said.
“The council will be giving maximum support, even more than what we have been doing in the past. We take this as an opportunity to celebrate our success story, victory, development of our town and the government partnership in Igbogbo Kingdom and Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
“It is equally an opportunity for us to send some messages to our people, especially on human relations, accommodating and counselling them against drugs, cultism and all other social menace.
“So, we do not consider the celebration as only a social affair, but also as an opportunity into encouraging our people for a better life”, he said.
The Council Chairman, who said that his administration is sponsoring some programmes in this year’s edition of the celebration, also assured of total support for the 2023 Igbogbo Day.
“Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA is also the main sponsor of the Igbogbopedia, where we sponsor the winner on an educational trip to South Africa, and other gifts. We are also sponsoring sports fully and many other activities this year. We are also going into youth, cultural and other programmes. It’s something that the council is taking full partnership with the organisers and we are happy to be part of the celebration”, Comrade Daini said.
Also at the press conference, Engr. Lateef Oduntan, General Secretary, Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA), updated the gathering on the efforts of Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa – in – Council and IDEA, in securing landed property for the proposed Igbogbo Town Hall.
Aside stating that the community has successfully intervened between the feuding families and a company over the ownership of a large expanse of lands, Engr. Oduntan also assured that a land that has been acquired for the project has been secured, and that there would be progress on the construction before the next year’s Igbogbo Day celebration.
Also present at the Press Conference were: Mr Babatunde Afuwape, IDEA Chieftain, Alhaji Kalejaiye, former Chairman, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Alhaji Sheriff Junaid, Deputy Chairman, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Mr Idris Adeshina, General Secretary, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Mr Sulaimon Ayokunle, Treasurer, Igbogbo day Committee, Hon. Basirat Banjoko and Alhaji Gbadamosi Adewale among others.
