The new Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) Chairman, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, has enjoined residents and indigenes of Ikorodu, home and abroad, to support the new executives in order to engender a successful Ikorodu Oga celebration, which comes up between November 11 and 18, 2017.
While speaking during a press conference held at the Oteju Town Hall, Ikorodu on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, to announce the programme of events, Otunba Abiru disclosed that IKODASS would do everything possible to make the festival more colourful and interesting. According to him, this year’s Oga Social Night would feature the popular fuji Maestro, Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, the Oganla of Fuji.
The IKODASS Chairman also said that the present executive was ready to make the celebration achieve its primary objective of providing opportunity of fellowship for sons and daughters of Ikorodu living within and outside the town. He said the theme of the day would be: “Cultural Rebirth as a veritable Tool for Youth Empowerment.”
While speaking further, Abiru said, “Since one of the reasons for staging this event is to showcase our heritage, we would concentrate on giving time to the traditionalists to showcase and display our heritage, which, hopefully, would be improved upon in subsequent years.”
Otunba Abiru also announced that the Association had discussed with relevant agencies of government with a view to promote and turn the celebration to a tourist attraction. This was what he said, “We have begun discussions with relevant government agencies, particularly, Lagos State Council of Arts and Culture and National Council of Arts and Culture, with a view of exposing the potentialities of our culture/heritage in pursuance of our youth empowerment programmes.
The IKODASS Chairman, disclosing the programmes of the event, said it would commence on November 11, 2017 with inter-denominational prayer at the Ikorodu Town Hall. It would also witness a cultural carnival and display of cultural heritage by the Olombas at Ayangbure palace and Ikorodu Town Hall respectively. On Sunday, November 12, there would be a mini-marathon race, ram fighting and Oga Award Day, where award of fellow and Associates would be conferred on illustrious Ikorodu sons and daughters. There is also going to be a fund-raising for IKODASS projects.
Another feature of the programme would be free medical dispensation as well as a presentation of a book on Ikorodu and environs entitled, “Orusen – History of a people,” which would come up on Monday, November 13, 2017. Tuesday, November 14, would feature local diet, musical/drama fiesta tagged, “Celebration of Past Chairmen,” at the ultra-modern Ikorodu Town Hall.
Other events include Youths/Children’s Activities Day with match past, role model award, Miss Ikorodu Beauty Pageant, Body Building and Boxing Competitions, would also come up on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at the same venue.
Thursday, November 16, 2017 would be for Market men, women and Artisans. It would feature market products and awards for the cleanest markets. Musical entertainment would be offered by Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma for the Oga Social Night.
The Public Service Sector and Networking/E-Union Day, which would feature Excellence Award, would come up on Friday, November 17, 2017.
The grand finale of the event holds on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at Ayangburen palace and Owolowo road. It would feature paying of homage to the Ayangburen of Ikorodu by clubs and societies, merit award presentations, and investiture of IKODASS patron and matrons. Other features include fund-raising for IKODASS projects, Community Development Association (CDAs) and Community Development Committee (CDC) day, Scholarship and Bursary awards.
The Chairman also laid emphasis on the youths regarding the celebration, stating that there is the need to harness their energy. He also said that the twenty six (26) years old association has not been able to have get a sponsor because of apathy on the part of Ikorodu elites and residents, whom he said had withdrawn their support for the socio-cultural group. According to him, they tried their best but they insisted there was nothing there for them to gain. As a result of this, the activities of the association has been experiencing decline.
Abiru, however, assured that the present executive would bring back the good old days. He said, “We have plans to host the Ikorodu Corporate Community in order to sell to them the ideals of the association and create cordial relationship with them.”
Also speaking during the event, Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya expressed hope that the association would continue to achieve its primary objectives under the current executives. He appealed to Ikorodu indigenes and residents to support the IKODASS executive in making the 2017 Ikorodu-Oga Day celebration a huge success, urging the executive to embark on massive publicity and to ensure there is tight security during the programme.