Kunle Adelabu & Bolu Orebajo (SIWES Student)
-As HOMAT School emerges 2024 Winner
Students from both public and private schools in Ikorodu Local Government Area were engaged in cooking competition to showcase their skills in local cuisines that are indigenous to Ikorodu. The initiative is part of efforts by the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), aimed at preserving the heritage and values of the Kingdom.
Homat Unique School represented by Ifedolapo Awi, Moyinjah Bakare, Boluwatife Busari and Moyosore Akinyemi, emerged as the winner of the competition which took place at the Ikorodu Town Hall, on Tuesday, November 12.
Topdeal College Ikorodu and Yewa Senior Grammar School, Ikorodu emerged second and third positions respectively.
While Samuel Temitope, ifeoluwa Kujore, Joy Oladimeji, Favour Peters and Esther Ajayi, represented Topdeal School, the Yewa School contingent comprises of Aliyat Alashe, Rukayat Abdulahi and Motumohinat Sulaimon
Other participating schools in the competition that KOLUJO Movement branded are Bint Musodiq Alogba College, Mac Mel School, Great Square College and Shams – el – Deen Senior Grammar School.
The competition featured a variety of dishes, including Ikokore ( water yam); Iyan (pounded yam), Eba, Efo Elegusi (vegetable with melon); Ila Alasepo (mixed Okro with Pepper), Akara Egusi, Ojojo and Akara Oka and Ewa
Each of the foods is unique to the residents of Ikorodu and has different unique cooking techniques which are passed down from generation to generations.
The competition w is an annual event organized during the yearly Ikorodu – Oga Carnival and designed to sustain and preserve the culinary heritage of the division.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabir Shotobi and his wife, Olori Kudirat Shotobi, witnessed the unique occasion with his chiefs and other eminent personalities.
Judges, local chefs and community leaders were impressed by the creativity and passion displayed by the students in cooking the local cuisines. The competition did not only celebrate indigenous culinary traditions but also fostered a sense of community and teamwork among participants.
As the event concluded, organizers emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage through food, encouraging students to continue exploring their culinary roots.
At the time the cooking competition among students was ongoing in a section of the hall, professional cooks of the indigenous foods were also busy on the other section of the hall where they also prepared traditional foods – Ebiripo, Ikokore, Asaro, Sagidi, Egbo, Afon, Akara Oka and Agadagidi (local drink from banana)
As usual, guests were treated to the menu.
Speaking, Asiwaju Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, IKODASS, said the initiative is part of the way of preserving the local diets and make people see their nutritional and economic values.
“This is a competition and food festival put together to keep our local diets alive, keep our foods alive from what we are exposed to today. That is the reason for this competition and festival.“ he said.
He emphasized the purpose of the food festival is to sustain tradition, culture and heritage as well as preventing them from going into disintegration
Otunba Erogbogbo also said that the cost of preparing local cuisines are cheap compared to what many are eating today.
He emphasised that the local diet contains good and balanced nutrients that are good for the body while warning the audience to be conscious of what they are eating.
There was also a market section outside the hall where food items were made available for sales.
Comrade Japheth Odesanya (KOLUJO), one of the sponsors of the event presented students that participated in the contest a pair of school bag and notebooks
The event was not just about food, it also featured music, dance performances and cultural displays, making it a true celebration of the community.
