The general belief that Ikorodu people are people with unquenchable love for culture and tradition was on full display on Saturday, November 2, 2019, when the second edition of the annual Asa Arokolo festival was held amidst pump and fun.
It was indeed an unforgettable experience of the richnes of Ikorodu culture as traditional rulers across Ikorodu division led a massive crowd which included some of their colleagues from other kingdoms, eminent personalities, state government functionaries, politicians, students, market men and women, artisans, traditional chiefs and residents to Ikorodu ferry terminal in Ebute, which was the venue of the event, to participate in the festival.
The impressive attendance of the Obas and some of their wives who, like other guests, were dressed in the Ankara attire specially selected for the event, added glamour to the entire gathering and also gave credence to the festival considering their positions as custodians of culture and tradition.
This year’s edition of the state recognized festival was no doubt a huge improvement on the first edition held in 2017 in terms of organization, entertainment, attendance and security and kudos should be given to the organisers, IREP-Ikorodu Division Re-birth foundation led by Hon. S. O. B Agunbiade, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
As early as 7a.m, people had started trooping to the venue in batches and by 11a.m when Oriwu Sun crew arrived the event the entire place had been filled to capacity. While important dignitaries and other guests were allowed entry into the main venue, others were made to sit under the canopies located opposite the main venue from where they conveniently catch the glimpse of the proceedings.
The event was declared open around 12:47pm with an opening prayer and national anthem respectively after which Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade was invited to the stage to deliver his welcome address.
Hon. Agunbiade in the address, welcomed royal fathers, officials of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, market men and women, students, Asa custodians and other participants to the event, stating that Asa was conceived to promote the culture and traditions of the people of Ikorodu division.
He called on the state government to support Asa cultural festival in view of its tourism potential.
The lawmaker said that the festival was organized to re-awaken the cultural heritage of the people and transform Ikorodu into a tourism hub in the state.
“Asa festival is aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of our land in Ikorodu, so we want the Ministry of Art and Culture to give us more support,” the lawmaker said.
Agunbiade, advised youths to see Asa as part of their heritage that must not be allowed to die.
He commended some corporate bodies such as Guinness Nigeria Plc for their support.
And in what could be described as the peak of the event, the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi and Ewusi of Makun Sagamu, Oba Timothy Akinsanya, led other Obas in entertaining the cheering crowd as they mounted the stage to dance and sing Asa songs to the admiration of the cultural gathering.
There were also spectacular performances by about hundred (100) Asa from eight (8) communities across Ikorodu division namely, Aga, Ijomu, Isele, Mowo-Nla, Oke-Eletu, Igbogbo, Agura and Imota while there were also display by Asas from Makun where Asa tradition is still very prominent and has been preserved for centuries.
The event also featured Ewi recitation by Isola Omotoyilola, a 10 year old primary school pupil, presentation of mini Asa statues to the visiting Obas and performances by Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, a popular fuji music artiste and Qudus Alagbe, popular known as ‘Q-Dot’.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, he emphasized the need to promote culture, tradition and customs of the Nigerian people which he said can serve as source of revenue.
“This is a very big outing. I have said it that we must develop and promote our culture, custom and tradition, most especially now that the nation is looking at other sources of revenue.
Hon. Obasa, who stated that other countries are generating revenues through tourism, added that festivals like Asa will provide opportunities to tell others in different parts of the world what the country’s culture is all about.
He congratulated the organisers for promoting Ikorodu and by extension, Lagos State’s cultural values.
Obasa also charged the people to speak Yoruba language always while also urging them to propagate the Yoruba culture.
Also, in a brief interview with Chief Monzor Olowosago, Publisher, Oriwu Sun, he explained that Asa festival has been in existence for a very long time but was neglected and that it was re-awakened by Hon. S. O. B Agunbiade led IREP two years ago.
He added that the festival has been re-branded to make it attractive and conform with contemporary demands.
Moreso, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, while speaking with our reporter, stated that Asa festival is being staged to re-awaken the rich culture of the people of Ikorodu, which according to him, has been forgotten.
He explained that the festival was a very important event in the olden days which the people organized to relax and entertain themselves and commended Hon. Agunbiade and his team for bringing back the beautiful memories of that period.
Other traditional rulers at the event were the Akarigbo of Remoland, HRM Oba Adewale Ajayi, FCA, the secretary of Ijebuland Obas in Lagos State and the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, HRM Oba (Barr) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali and his wives, HRM Oba Richard Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe, and his wife and HRM Oba Bashir Sotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo and his wife, HRM Oba Owolabi Deyemi Adeniyi, the Olu of Epe, HRM Oba Adewale Osiberu, the Oloja of Epe, HRM Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, the Idugbajo of Odogbawojo, HRM Oba Mufutau Adegbajo, HRM Oba Kolawole Aliru, Oba of Ipoka.
Among the eminent guests present were, Hon. Babajimi Benson, members, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Nurudeen Solaja, Chairman, Lagos Assembly House Committee on Tourism, Arts & Culture, Otunba Ganiu Abiru, Chairman of Ikorodu-Oga Development Association, Miss Ruth Bisola Olusanya, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Agriculture and Co-operative, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Vice Chairman APC East Senatorial District, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Hon. Wasiu Adesina, Chairman Ikorodu Local Government, His Vice, Hon. Folashade Oba, Otunba Ganiu Abiru, Chairman Ikorodu-Oba Development Association and Chief (Alhaja) Taofeekat Allison, Iya-Oloja General of Ikorodu division among others.