IKODASS HOLDS PRESS BRIEFING ON IKORODU OGA DAY 2018, PLANS TO ENHANCE CONTENTS, SCOPE AND STYLE. | Shakiru Seidu. "It's going to be a loaded package," Otunba Ganiu Abiru reveals.

Ikorodu Development Association, IKODASS, was on Sunday held a press briefing to intimate the world on Ikorodu Oga Day Celebration which will commence 10th to 17th of November, 2018.

While addressing MegaXpression Magazine and other gentlemen of the press, the IKODASS Chairman and aspirant, contesting for East senatorial seat, Lagos State, Otunba Ganiu Olusegun Abiru said, "this year’s Ikorodu Oga will begin effective, 10th – 17th November 2018 and in line with our practice, the walk for fitness exercise which precedes the events proper would still hold two weeks to the event to arouse the interest of our people and create the desired awareness on the imminence of the celebration. We will be going to the mosque on Friday 9th to pray for God’s blessings throughout the event and climax it with a thanksgiving service in the Church on Sunday the 11th November 2018.

"There is not going to be much difference in our programmes from what we did last year, but the contents, scope & style would be slightly different to avert monotony. Some of the programmes for the events include but not limited to schools debate, marathon race, beauty competition, music extravaganza, cultural display for our heritage, woro carnival, drama, youth emancipation programme, medical check-up, lectures, elders day, etc. Some new programme such as Ikorodu-Oga Mini Trade fair will be introduced to give our Entrepreneurs the opportunity to display their wares & products. We are partnering with Ultra Signatures Limited to make this a reality. We are also planning to have a corporate dinner with the Chief Executive Officers of Business Organizations & Enterprises in Ikorodu Division in order for them to interact and explore among themselves how they could be beneficial to each other thereby enhancing growing the economy of Ikorodu Division.

"The dinner is envisaged to be hosted in partnership with Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Added to this year’s celebration is a raffle competition of which the selling of the tickets commenced a few months ago. The final raffle draw would be held on the 15th November 2018 where the winner will go home with a Corrola Saloon Car with some consolation prizes for other winners. This is a novel idea brought into the activities of the Oga Carnival. We have also empowered the citizens of the Community indirectly by involving them in the sales of the tickets with accrued commission on the number of tickets sold by members of the public.

"It would be recalled that Ikorodu-Oga Organized in conjunction with Advocacy for Community Economic Development (A-CED) an Economic Summit geared at tapping and exploring our economic potentialities which ultimately & hopefully will expand our business horizon. I am glad to inform you that the State Government is currently partnering with us on the realization of some of the recommendations of the Summit and you will in no distant date be updated of developments on this relationship with Government."

The Chairman, Abiru, also revealed that the support given to IKODASS last year by Intercontinental Brewery, Brewer of popular Trophy Larger beer in their socio-cultural development of Ikorodu community. He expressed his gratitude to the organization, in pursuance of their desire to have a better outing this year. "We have been talking with the officials and I will want you to rest assured that based on the outcome of our objective to help in the promotion of our indigenous Artists resident in Ikorodu, and outside of it, we have reached an agreement to make use of them as both Star & supportive performers. This is one of the ways we can project them for their economic benefit and glory of Ikorodu Community. Trophy will undoubtedly not disappoint us in this," he added.

ON security, Otunba Abiru assured all of safety of lives and properties. "We are not unaware of the tumultuous crowd of last year which indeed posed a lot of threat to our security machinery. I wish to state that we have learned from that and hope to put in place a better security arrangement to avert uncontrollable commotion," he assured.

"Regardless of whatever formidable security apparatus we may have in place, the cooperation of the people is crucial to the success of it and therefore while thanking the generality of the people for maintaining relative peace last year, I want to plead that we try our best possible to maintain peace and orderliness without ignoring the instructions of Security Agencies in place. Adherence & obeisance to this would be the only way to enjoy the benefits of the carnival. The services of both Federal & State Security Agencies with the Local bodies had been secured for the duration of the event," Abiru added.

He further said it is imperative to inform all that during the year and based on the directives of the last General meeting, the Executive of IKODASS would be presenting to the General Council, immediately after this session, a lyrically recomposed Ikorodu Anthem, new IKODASS Flag and a reviewed constitution for the Association. "May 1 use this medium to thank all members who made the accomplishment of these assignments a “fait accompli’, he said.

Abiru did not drop the Mic until when he expressed his profound gratitude to Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who has always supported IKODASS financially and morally without which, the possibility of hosting this programme would have been a pipe dream.

In the same vein he expressed enthusiasm to Ikorodu Monarch, HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi and his wife Olori Abosede Kudirat Shotobi, the Treasure of Ikorodu who have always been supportive financially and morally and as the Grand Patron of the Association. "Our Kabiyesi has never let us down. I am using this opportunity to thank his most graciously and as usual look forward to his support in the coming event," Abiru concluded.   

Among those in attendance were the Vice Chairman, owner of the De-Groom Motors, members of IKODASS, among others.

SHAKIRU SEIDU
Publisher, MegaXpression Magazine,
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