Kunle Adelabu
A Chairmanship aspirant, Qs. Adekunle Abdulazeez Awesu, has assured residents of Ikorodu Local Government that the waterbody surrounding the council would be maximally explored for its tourism promotion and development.
Awesu, who also said that his administration, if voted in the coming local government elections, would also focus on the promotion of culture and tradition of Ikorodu, commended the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) for the sustenance of tourism promotion and development in the lkorodu.
He spoke during the walk for fitness exercise last weekend organized by IKODASS to kick – off the 33rd edition of the Ikorodu – Oga Festival.
“If there’s something; if there’s a part that is unexplored, I’ll say tourism and culture of Ikorodu. We all know everywhere, there’s water. We have a large amount of water body surrounding Ikorodu, that’s the major place that remains untapped.
“From this body of water, we can create opportunities – tourism promotion, create employments and bring focus on Ikorodu if well developed and managed and that is what we are going to do if given the opportunity to lead the Ikorodu Local Government. That is one of our major targets.
“I think that’s one of the major areas that I, as a person, will explore to a very large extent and also, we talk about our customs and traditions.
“Our indigenousness would fully be explored to correct the wrong impression for those that are not involved but away thinking that tradition is all about ‘juju’. We need to show them the difference between being a traditional person; an indigenous or someone rooted in his culture and their wrong impression”, Awesu said.
While commending IKODASS for sustaining the annual festival, he charged residents of Ikorodu on the need to be fully part of this year’s celebration.
“You should know that fitness is one of the things that we all must imbibe and embrace because it is good for our health. Walking makes me alive and awakens my body system. It makes our body function the way it is supposed to.
“That is the whole essence of walk for fitness, and I commend IKODASS for organizing this every year and for sustaining the Ikorodu – Oga Day.
“I am glad to be here today with my people and put face to my name, Awesu. This is identifying with our indigenous people. It is an avenue to interact and be more involved in community development.
“It also provides our youths and the entire community, an avenue to foster unity and peace amongst ourselves.
“Let’s all come out, embrace what we have; let’s grow what we have. Ile la ti ma n ko eso ro de. E je ka ko awon nkan ti wa sita, ki awon ara ita naa le mo nkan ta ni (let us come together to promote or culture and tradition by showcasing them to the world. It is only through this that people outside can know what we have and embrace them)”, Awesu appealed.
