Kunle Adelabu
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has moved to integrate three of the Ikorodu Heritage Trail into a tentative list of 14 sites recognised by UNESCO, as key officials visited Ikorodu on Tuesday.
The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, disclosed this when she led a high-powered delegation of Ministry Officials that included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Oloruntoyin Atekoja alongside the Heritage Consultant to the Ministry, Mr. Gbolahan Ajala and some French investors, including Regis Charpentier, President ofWinWinAfrique, to meet with key stakeholders in Ikorodu Division.
It should be recalled that three sites in Ikorodu Division – old Ayangbure palace in Ikorodu, Iledi Osugbo Abalaye also in Ikorodu and Ijede Spring Water (Odoro) in Ijede, were listed among the 86 recognised monuments, sites, heritage and tourism centres, gazette in the Lagos State of Nigeria Official Gazette, Mo 1, Vol. 44 dated 29th June, 2011, A Law to Provide for the Preservation, Protection and Restoration of Historical Properties and Cultural Heritage in Lagos State and for Connected Purposes.
Benson-Awoyinka and the team also met with the six Obas of the six major towns of the Ikorodu kingdom, in the Palace of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, where they disclosed the purpose of the visit.
The Honorable Commissioner, while speaking during the meeting, appealed to the Traditional Rulers and their Chiefs to trust the process of what the State Government wants to do, because it will be for the benefit and upliftment of the Ikorodu Division of the State.
Speaking further, she said that the Lagos State Government seeks their support because the Ikorodu Division has a lot of heritage sites and traditional festivals that can be documented and calendarized to boost tourism in Ikorodu town.
According to her, she wants people all around the world to know the symbolic nature of Eyo, Agere, Igunnuko and Agemo masquerades, stressing the fact that the Eyo masquerade is not the only masquerade in Lagos State.
Benson-Awoyinka also used the opportunity to inform the Royal Fathers that the Yoruba Heritage Week will come up in November this year, and it will be a one-week-long celebration of Yoruba culture, tradition and heritage.
On his part, the Odofin of Ikorodu Kingdom, Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, who stood in for his Royal Majesty the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, said he appreciated the coming of the Honourable Commissioner and her team, and for remembering the Ikorodu Division at this time, adding that the Ikorodu people have long awaited them and are ready for them as well and that there would be a committee to work with the Ministry’s team, to execute the project.
The Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Honourable Wasiu Adeshina, who also hosted the team, appreciated the Honourable Commissioner and others for coming.
He said that Ikorodu Local Government is rich in culture and can also play host to tourist attractions.
Traditional rulers present at the meeting included the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Abdulsemiudeen Orimadegun Kasali; Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro; Obateru of Egbin and Oba Abdul-Hakeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, amongst other chiefs and traditional title holders.
Tourism sites visited included the Old Oba Palace and different traditional worship houses.
