Kunle Adelabu with Joy Fasunon & Boluwatife Orebajo (SIWES Students)
-As residents turn out in large number for 4th edition
The initiator of the Ikorodu Fitness Festival and Chief Executive Officer, Styleurfitness Pukka Concept, Mr Odufeko Tolulope Emmanuel, has said that his plan is to make the annual event a massive sporting and social gathering, while emphasising that residents of Ikorodu, have embraced fitness engagement.
Residents of Ikorodu defied early morning downpour by turning out in large number at the weekend, to attend the annual fitness exercise organized by Styleurfitness Pukka Concept.
The event, which was the fourth edition and well – attended by young and adults from different parts of Ikorodu Division and outside, was held at the Ikorodu Ferry Terminal, Ipakodo, last Saturday.
Odufeko, who is a fitness coach, spoke with THE IMPACT during the exercise session, describing this year’s edition as the best so far.
“It has not been easy, but this is the best so far. We improve every year, but we give thanks to God. It has not been easy getting sponsor.
“I thank Hon. Babajimi Benson and many other people in Ikorodu and outside Ikorodu, that have been assisting us with products, but there is nothing like fund.
Speaking on the level of acceptability of fitness exercise by residents of Ikorodu and future plans, Odufeko said that in future, the annual event will be turned into a carnival of sort.
“It is clear and oblivious to me that a lot of people are now into fitness. They have engaged in fitness, they know the importance of fitness, they have got addicted and adapted to fitness, all because they have seen the purpose and benefit in their health.
“The slogan of this year’s edition is, ‘No gree for yourself, just do as you can, keep pushing’.
On the future plans, Odufeko said:
“First of all, we need to get a massive stage. This stage (pointing to a stage at the venue) seems to be a lower one. We need to up our publicity on the bill board and banners.
“For this year, we introduced bouncing castle for the children and they are all there enjoying themselves. We also have a lot of vendors here this year compared with previous years.
“For the subsequent years, we should be having a massive stage and bringing big celebrities here. We have Kaffy among others that we are planning to bring here”, he said.
Barr. Ade Ayeni, Secretary to the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, who took part in this year’s edition alongside his delectable wife, commended the initiative.
“I am here for the Ikorodu fitness festival, and this has been a wonderful initiative and we are always looking forward to it. It shows that our youths behind this are very innovative and creative. This is something that is beneficial to the community and to the Ikorodu division”, he said.
Ayeni, who is aspiring for the Chairmanship position in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, said that the initiative is a pointer to what youths can contribute to development.
“This is what we are saying, that our youths should embrace innovative ideas that will transform the society by unleashing their vibrancy. This is a youthful idea.
“And we are here to support the idea that is giving youths the platform to excel and promote wellness through physical fitness.
“If we key into this, it means that we are embracing it and making it a part of our personal lives and a regular thing in our communities, we will definitely have healthy society”, he said.
The Secretary, Ikorodu Heroes (I – Heroes), Mr Oke Godwin Olaoluwa (OKE), also emphasized that fitness exercise is important to everyone.
“Keeping fit should be our responsibility, and it is good that they are organising this program. It helps people to stay fit and healthy.
“It is a good one that we have instructors in different areas of fitness and different sections of fitness activities. This is a way of bringing everybody once a year to exercise together; to have fun together; to stay fit and be happy together”, he said.
Mr Abolaji Elesho, former General Secretary, Ikorodu -Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and the current secretary, Ikorodu- Oga Development Scholarship Board, in his own remarks, said:
“We have been doing this annually, thanks to our brother, Emmanuel Odufeko who has been putting this together, and I have decided to be part of this initiative physically, socially and morally in the sense that we understand that when we are physically fit, our brain functions very well.
“With fitness, we can overcome depression and other challenges. If we are healthy, we will be abele to take good decisions for ourselves and the society at large.
“We want to encourage everyone of us to always engage in physical fitness, even if it is just for 10 or 20 minutes in your homes, just do a light work-out”.
Mr Pelumi Olalekan, a chieftain of the LJTF arm of the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited (IDPIL), who has been participating in the exercise since inception, also commended the organizer for sustaining the exercise.
A sport administrator, Mr Ogunlewe Ademola Oluwaseun, while emphasizing the importance of fitness, called for its further development.
“Basically, I think it is a very good innovation. This is going to be the fourth edition of the event and it is lovely to have something of such. Health, they say is wealth and fitness is a key part of being healthy.
“It is a welcome development. It should be developed further. This is a fitness festival of sort. Everybody has their own fitness schedule and their fitness gym, but this is like a fitness festival, whereby, you bring together everybody and fitness experts”.
