Kunle Adelabu
Canada – based businessman and aspirant for the Ikorodu Local Government Chairmanship, Mr Ibrahim Alani Onibudo, has revealed his agenda to bring foreign and local investors to promote tourism development in Ikorodu.
While commending the royal father of Ikorodu Kingdom and the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) for sustaining and improving on the annual event, the aspirant said collaboration is key to the further development of the festival.
He spoke with THE IMPACT at the grand finale of the Ikorodu – Oga Carnival at the Ayangbure Palace attended by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabir Shotobi, other royal fathers, Lagos State Executive members, federal and state legislators and other dignitaries.
“I am one of the aspirants for Ikorodu LG Chairmanship position and come 2025, I will be the Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government by God’s grace. We are here today to celebrate our heritage; our community, our value and pride.
“It’s a way to bring indigenous and non-indigenous residents of Ikorodu together once in a year for a week-long program. So, for someone like me now, I am not residing here in Nigeria, but I had to come home to celebrate with family and friends.
“My childhood friends too have been coming around. The significance is that it improves our socio- cultural properties and lives in Ikorodu, and with that, we will always relate together very well and much better.”
“The architect and international business furthered, “I give big kudos to our Royal Father, His Royal Majesty Oba Kabir Shotobi, for allowing and promoting this festival. I also want to thank the IKODASS for sustaining it”, he said.
Stating what he will do if elected to turn around the tourism state of Ikorodu, especially the annual Ikorodu – Oga Carnival, Onibudo said,
“The first thing I will do if I become the chairman concerning tourism is to bring in investors. I have a lot of people that are interested in coming with me to Ikorodu for this festival every year. I have friends in America, Canada and the UK, that are in interested in coming with me to witness the Ikorodu -Oga Day.
“So, it’s gonna become an international event and through that, we will get more sponsorships so that we can do more with the festival.
“I realized that this year was even better than what we had last year and there’s still room for improvement. We can still do more. The first thing I will do is to look for foreign and local investors. There is also need for more collaborations with stakeholders”, Onibudo said.
