30TH IGBOGBO DAY ANNIVERSARY ENDS IN GRAND STYLE, AS THE MONARCH URGES ALL TO EMBRACE PEACE AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. | Shakiru Seidu. "It is God that's behind our success story," Chairman Planning Committee reveals.

Everyone unequivocally rejoiced as the 30th Igbogbo Day Anniversary came to an end on Saturday, November 24, 2018. Royal Heads, prominent personalities, philanthropists and people of works of life were in attendance to celebrate with His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiu Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo and the entire people of Igbogbo land.

The 30th Anniversary Ceremony started on the 16th of November, 2018 with a Press Conference. The Chairman, Central Working Committee for the Programme, Engr. Taofeek Kalejaye, unfolded the 10days activities for the anniversary to MegaXpression Magazine and other media outlets.

The first day which was friday November 16, 2018. 'Iwure', an interdenominational service took place at the Adeboruwa Palace in the morning, while Dinner with Adeboruwa took on later in the day at Mikkson Onas Event Centre, Igbogbo. It was an event that recorded the presence of men and women of timber and caliber.

The second day was another colourful international carnival, where streets, groups, paraded their cultural gifts, in which Itun-Abosan ward carried the day, followed by Stadium road, Igbogbo.

The third day was meant for the performing Artistes at Adeboruwa Palace. The programme witnessed the presence of some of the great Nigerian Nollywood actors and actresses. Rams fighting competition was later in the day took the centre stage at Igbogbo Sports Stadium.

The fourth day was the Education Day at the Palace of Adeboruwa. Both Private and Public Schools were in attendance to participate in the educational programme. Some of the Schools include: Oreyo Grammar School Igbogbo, Zumratul  Islammiyah Grammar School Igbogbo, Keme Balogun Secondary School Ibeshe, Community Grammar School Baiyeku,  Elepe Secondary School, Homat Group of Schools, Hasibunalahi Private School, Gold Line Private School, Audus De' Great School, amongst others.

The fifth day was scheduled for the Cultural Performance amongst the various traditional Groups. The participants mounted the stage and gave stunning performance to the people of Igbogbo Community at the Igbogbo Sports Stadium. The local Dialect food and Mini-Trade Fair followed suit at the same venue. It was no doubt a memorable event.

The attention was shifted to Health on the sixth day at Adeboruwa Palace, where qualified Doctors attended to people for checkups, eyes screening and surgery. Health talk seminar was taken to Adeboruwa motor garage, Igbogbo for proper sensitization on their sound health. The final football match later kicked off on the same day at Igbogbo Sports Stadium, where Olayinka Street/Stadium Road Football Team defeated Oliwo Amoju Football Team. The Match  ended in a 1-1 draw, before Agbele Road lifted the cup through penalty shootout.

The Oloja and Artisans in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA took the centre stage on the seventh day in a colourful momentum at Igbogbo Sports Stadium. There were presentations of gifts to Kabiyesi, coupled with singing and dancing that painted the air. Youth Empowerment and Youth Gala Nite took over the day at Hotel De Shokis and Mikkson Onas Events Centre respectively.

The iCARE Foodbank of Hon Babajimi Benson, MHR, in the eighth day, distributed food items to 100 aged people in marking the welfare day. Miss Adeboruwa Beauty Pagent later took the centre stage at Mikkson Onas Event Center, to determine the most beautiful girl in the town.

The ninth  day was the epic of them all, Saturday, 24th of November, 2018. It was a day the people of Igbogbo will never forget in a hurry. Late Rasheed Aroyewun Marathon was observed in the early morning, which most of the Igbogbo youth participated.

The attention was later shifted to Igbogbo Sports Stadium where the grand finale took place. The event which was entertained by Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, was witnessed by eminent personalities across the globe. The attendance includes the religious fathers from the Islamic faith, led by Sheik Dhikirulahi Andu, the Chief Imam of Igbogbo, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, and other eminent personalities of the Christian Community.

The Majestic emissaries of Royal Heads from the State can not be ignored, the Ayangberen of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabir Shotobi, HRM Ojora of Ojora, Ranodu of Imota, Obateru of Egbin, Adimula of Isheri Olofin, Sekumade of Ipakodo, Olubeshe of Ibeshe and many Obas with their Chiefs were all in attendance.

Political Leaders, led by Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Chief Kaoli Olusanya, Chief Dele Olowu, Hon Adebimpe Akinsola, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Prince Jimoh Ogunmuyiwa, to mention but a few. Members from State and National Assemblies, Hon Babajimi Benson, MHR, Hon Nurudeen Sholaja-Saka, Mr BOG Gbadamosi, Members of the Lagos State Cabinet, Permanent Secretaries, Board of Directors, Local government Council Administrators, led by the Chief Host, Comrade Olusesan Daini and many other top government functionaries, Artisans, Groups, iCARE Foundation, BOS Support Group of Hon Akinsola, Ikorodu Division Women of Substance, Associations and different families were all there to be part of history.

On the tenth day, HRM Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, wives and his Cabinet members went to Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Agbele road, Igbogbo for Thanksgiving Services, to return the Glory and Honour to God Almighty.

While addressing the audience, HRM Oba Semiu Orimadeguon Kasali thanked the planning committee and the entire if Igbogbo for successful celebration. He pleaded with those affected with the road construction and assured them that their compensations will be paid.

The Monarch further urged the residents of Igbogbo community to embrace peace and love one another, enjoined all to have respect for the stool of Adeboruwa and the authority of the Palace.

(Watch Out for the comprehensive reports in our coming Edition)

SHAKIRU SEIDU,
Publisher, MegaXpression Magazine.
The genuine VOICE of Ikorodu Division.