AMBODE UNVEILS THE FISH STATUE IN EPE. | Shakiru Seidu. Governor Ambode had demonstrated that he is a man of his words. -Hon. Akinsola.

Today, Tuesday, 7th of November, 2017, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, unveiled The Fish Statue at T-Junction, Epe.

The Governor, who was ably represented by the Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos State, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, in his eloquent speech, thanked Messrs, Terra Kulture Art Studios and Mr. Hamzat Atta, the Sculptor, for supporting the government to actualize its vision of celebrating our cultural and natural endowments through the creation of aesthetics works of Arts, some of which have been deployed at strategic locations across the State with added value to our environment.

The iconic Statue "The Fish" that is being unveiled today is a symbolic expression that celebrates the traditional disposition of the founding fathers of Epe as a generic community of fishermen primarily because of its proximity to the lagoon, Ambode said.

Today's event is a celebration of the socioeconomic value of Epe Division to Lagos State. The communual economic activity which revolves around the vast potentials available in the coastal area in terms of commercial and maritime enterprise of fishing, fish processing and marine transportation has provided economic empowerment and job creation opportunities for many people with the additional benefit of providing a ready source of nutritional enhancement through consumption of fish and other seafood by the local community and consumers from across the state, the Governor explained.

He further revealed that Epe community is a notable trading post for commercial entrepreneurs in Lagos state and traders from other areas outside the State. We shall continue to implement proactive policies and programmes with synergy of our communities to achieve socioeconomic development and growth with direct impact on every Lagosian without bias for gender, ethnic or religious inclination, he assured.

In the welcome address by one of the Directors, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Oludayo, she said the monument was erected in order to relate the fishing Epe community with Agricultural and economic relevance of Epeland to the Lagos State Government in particular and the nation at large.

In the past two years, His Excellency has maintained and managed the State through monuments and heritage sites, driving Tourism and attracting visitors to the State as well as entrenching our culture for the visuality and digestion of generations to come, she added.

The Sculptor, Mr Hamzat Attah who was represented, gave brief history of the Fish Statue. He said Epe town 2nd Port was established in the mid 18th century as the Chief Port for Ijebu Ode and It later served as a refuge for the forces of Kosoko, the Yoruba king ousted from Lagos by the British in 1892.

Modern Epe is a collecting point for the export of Fish, Cassava, Cocoa, Green vegetables, Coconuts palm produce, rubber and firewood to Lagos. Epe is best known for its fishing and farming activities, it is for this reason that we wish to celebrate the fish, to mark the bountiful Lagos State and to fully give identity to this great town, Mr Attah explained.

The fish sculpture is to depict the primary historic function of the Epe community as a fishing village. The composition is to show togetherness amongst the indigenes of the community, he added.

The Chairman, Epe Local Government, Mr Doyin Adesanya expressed his enthusiasm to the Governor for his uncommon ideology in moving the State forward.

When speaking with Shakiru Seidu of MegaXpression Magazine, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola said, by the level of achievements recorded so far in Lagos State, Governor Ambode had demonstrated that he is a man of his words and ready to fulfill whatever promise made to the people.

Hon. Akinsola therefore urged Epe Local Government to take the possession of the Statue and admonished everyone to promote the good work of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. She was however optimistic that Ambode will have no rival in 2019 governorship election.

The occasion was graced by the Executive, Legislative Arm and Staff of Epe Local Government, Party Chieftains, CDC members, religious groups, A+ Disciples, Lagos State Cultural troop, Artisans, among others.

SHAKIRU SEIDU
The Publisher, MegaXpression Magazine.