Mariam Akinloye with Olaleye Taiwo Deborah & Bole Oresajo (SIWES Students)
It’s another period for the Ikorodu – Oga Carnival and the people of the ancient and strategic city are not leaving anything un-turned to record yet another historic celebration this year. As usual, the annual event kicked – off on Saturday, November 9, 2024, with Woro Procession and cultural displays.
The Woro Procession along the traditional route – Owolowo Street, Oriwu Road, Ita – Elewa, Aga, Odulate, Obun Oke, Obale Market, Ajina Market, Itunmoja, Alhaji Street, Ojubode, Ikorodu Garage Roundabout, Ayangbure Road and terminating at the Ayangbure Palace, kicked – off at the Ikorodu Town Hall, after an inter – denominational prayer.
The commencement of the week – long festivities drew thousands of residents and visitors to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Ikorodu. The event featured array of activities including traditional display and performances; visit to important sites and locations; and local cuisine among others.
Among the traditional, political and social groups that took part in the procession and cultural display led by the Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Asiwaju Rotimi Erogbogbo and his executive council who are the organisers of the annual festival, were Osugbos, Erelus, Baales, Ajo Babalawo, Olomitutu, Alawo Oba, Orishadotun, Ologun Oke, iCare Foundation, Kolujo Movement, Aarebirin Folashade Olabanjo – Oba Group, Onibudo group, Traditional midwifery, Ikorodu LG, Market Associations, Tewetegbo Isese Medical Herbalists Society, Ikorodu LG; Agbomola Traditional Herbal Mixture Alagbo, Ikorodu; Egbe Bobakeye, Egbe Bobayo and Egbe Onisegun among others.
At the palace, the cultural festival kicked off with impressive performances led by a group of young boys with a lively dance, leaving the AYANGBURE in Council and guests visibly delighted. This was followed by various traditional festivities, such as the Agere, Igunnuko, Yeye Osun Olomitutu, and several masquerades, each adding to the day’s rich display of heritage. They all paid homage to the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi.
The IKODASS Chairman, Asiwaju Rotimi Erogbogbo, welcome residents, visitors and tourists to this year’s edition of Ikorodu – Oga Carnival and promised that the 33rd edition would provide unforgettable experiences.
He said that the Woro Procession and cultural display are part of the ways of protecting, preserving and sustaining Ikorodu’s cultural and traditional heritage.
In his remarks, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, expressed his gratitude to the people of Ikorodu for their hard work and dedication to the development of Ikorodu.
Oba Shotobi commended IKODASS and participants for the large turnout for the 33rd edition of Ikorodu – Oga Carnival, and acknowledged their commitment to preserving the community’s cultural heritage.
The Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Folashade Olabanji -Oba, who is also the National Deputy Chairman, Association of Local Government Vice Chairmen of Nigeria, speaking with our reporters, said that said that the Woro Procession and the cultural display are the beginning of a week – long cultural, social and economic activities of Ikorodu.
“Today, we are here to celebrate with our paramount ruler his royal majesty, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi. We appreciate him and we thank him.
This is Woro and the display of cultural heritage of Ikorodu. This s the beginning of a seven — day activity series. Next Saturday would be the grand finale.
This is a yearly celebration for us all in Ikorodu and Ikorodu residents globally, the President, Governors and all our lovers usually come to celebrate with us every year. It keeps getting better. You can trust us and bank on us in terms of preserving our cultural heritage and social activities.”
Hon. Olabanji – Oba who is also a Chairmanship aspirant said that part of her plans for Ikorodu is to make the annual Ikorodu – Oga Day Carnival better and bigger.
Yeye Osun Olomitutu, Chief Afolashade Omidiwura, also said that Ikorodu is one of the important towns that does great things and has strong traditional heritage which its people are preserving and sustaining.
She commended IKODASS and the entire Ikorodu people for sustaining the tradition.
