It is estimated that about three million people are now residing in Ikorodu division, making the area a populous satellite region in the mega city state of Lagos. It is now confirmed that the most remote communities in this division’s interior and inland like Igbalu, Gberigbe, Mowonla, Agufoye, Agbede, Okeoko, IshawoOdonla, Odokekere, etc. are heavily populated by residents, who work in Mainland, Island Lagos and beyond. Hence, the human and vehicular traffic commuting between Ikorodu and other parts of Lagos state is quite heavy.
One then starts asking, do these millions of Nigerians have time at all to recreate or to unwind? If yes, where do they go to relax and when do they do so? There used to be this advert slogan ran in the media some time ago by NICON NOGA Hotel, Abuja, which says, “Let’s spoil you a little.” It was a way of saying let us pamper you and shower you with love and comfort for this short period you can spare your time to be with us.
Governor AkinwunmiAmbode spoiled Lagosians, not a bit but for eight good nights between December 24 and December 31, 2016, through the 2nd edition of the One Lagos Fiesta, a replication of the world famous Brazilian carnivals and other similar treats across the globe. For eight nights, Lagosians unwound their stressed bodies and troubled spirits occasioned by the raging recession in the country. The fiesta is a tourist attraction by itself and has obviously entered the tourism hospitality calendar of this country.
The One Lagos Fiesta is one form of entertainment/relaxation through music and dance at night in just one location within the large land area of Ikorodu division at the end of the year. What are the other alternatives open to residents of this vast division nearly crippled by criminal elements, who migrated to the area and made it a safe haven for their evil operations. Away from the menace and threats of oil thieves, cultists, kidnappers, armed robbers, ritualists, Ajagungbales and other event of darkness, is it still possible to find public places to recreate outside the hotels and guest houses?
Looking at the annual public holiday calendar in Nigeria, the national holiday involving everyone are the New Year, (January 1st), Workers day, (May 1), Democracy Day, (May 29th), and Independence day, (October 1st). The general holidays declared on behalf of Muslims are five public holidays, while the ones for Christians are Good Friday, Easter and Christmas/Boxing day. In Ikorodu, the traditionalists impose their own two oro holidays only on women in some restricted areas.
If there are about ninety six (96) Saturdays/Sundays in a year and about thirteen (13) national public holidays on working days (week days), it means that the average Nigerian, who is free on Saturdays and Sundays has a total of 109 days in a year to relax out of the 365 or 366 days, while those who work on Saturdays and perhaps, public holidays, have only 48 Sundays to relax their nerves in a year. In Ikorodu, where do such people head to for the unwinding process? The big event centers such as Ikorodu Musical Village, Regal Hall, Kings Place, etc., host big events and admit only those with invitation cards. The few big hotels around do not throw their doors open to everyone. They are selective of the kinds of guests and audience they admit. So, what alternatives are left for the rest of the public?
There are few amusement centers in this division. The beautiful ‘Fun City’ along Lagos Road in Ikorodu had been choked up due to the Ikorodu – Mile 12 road expansion project, such that there is hardly any car parking space for more than ten vehicles. ‘Scenario’ along Igbokuta/Gberigbe axis, a wonderful concept which ought to be patronized, is considered far away by main stream dwellers in Ikorodu and environs, while ‘Fun Factory’, another great relaxation center located at Itamaga, is not yet well advertised to the public. It is in a good central location worthy of high patronage.
We would recall in the 90’s, when Christians in Ikorodu made Ebute an entertainment focus during the Easter celebration, when the Galilee show was like the One Lagos Fiesta. It was a time the whole length of Ebute from ApenaJimbo junction down to the present Dangote Port was turned into a carnival of dance, party, music, merriments, etc. It has since vanished with time. The oro festival, provided by traditionalists, would have been a wonderful tourist attraction but it restricts women indoors and allows only ‘real men’ or the initiated ones to boldly come out to witness the very long processions of the masquerades and their followers. The two days the festival is observed should have been made a formal holiday in Ikorodu for all people to witness and celebrate.
The Muslim festivals of Sallah and Ramadan provide relaxation of rest, of feasting (on rams and food) and exchange of visits and show of love. Except for the ram market that extraordinarily bubbles during Sallah, and the praying grounds, where Muslims pray to Allah, there is no general activity that can entertain everyone than pockets of fun here and there. One would have wished that the beaches at Ebute, Ibeshe, Offin/Baiyeku, and the one at Ijede/Egbin could come alive. The Ibeshe beach that once provided a relaxation platform (with concrete chairs, tables and a beach front for swimming, sun bathing, and boating, has long been messed up and abandoned. Offin that had a good hotel in the beach front would have developed that spot to a great relaxation center facing the Atlantic coastal lagoons, but little is being offered as no huge investments have been made there.
At Ijede, where there is a boat crossing facility to Ajah, much would have been expected of the place but nothing more than the skeletal marine transportation service is being rendered there. No wonder many families in Ikorodu stay indoors during the weekends and the public holidays. It is a day’s journey to go to Lagos at Victoria Island Bar beach, Elegushi beach, Lekki beach, or Badagry beaches. You would spend more than half the day on the road journey itself leaving you with little time to relax with your family.
Is it that Nigerians do not know how to relax or is it because we do not have little disposable income to spare to unwind? Or still, is it that we are afraid to go to public places to offload the stress of the month or period? What has happened to the investment acumen of our business moguls, our developers and our private sector initiatives? All classes of society from the high profile, to the middle class, down to the artisans numbering millions, are now residing in this division and they are yearning for outlets to refresh themselves after each week of shuttles between Ikorodu division and the rest of Lagos State for their daily bread.
The road side bush meat/pepper soup joint, beer parlours, suya spots and bukateria are not what we are talking about, though they can form components of the type of amusement/entertainment centers we are advocating. We are lobbying for the promotion of medical, economic and social tourisms. We are pleading for sight-seeing, for adventures, for sun bathing, for relaxation and for entertainment. Ikorodu hasboth the land and water mass to provide these.