IKODASS UNVEILS PROGRAMMES FOR 28TH IKORODU OGA DAY, SAYS IT'S GOING TO BE A MOTHER OF ALL CELEBRATIONS. | Shakiru Seidu.

The Ikorodu Development Association, IKODASS, on Sunday, September 15, 2019, unveiled its programmes for the 28th Edition of Ikorodu Oga Day Celebration. The IKODASS Chairman, Otunba Ganiu Olusegun Abiru, revealed the One Week Programme at a Press Conference held at Ikorodu Town Hall.

Abiru, who was ably represented by his amiable Deputy, Alhaji Fatai Kolawole Olayiwola, popularly known as 'De-Groom', affirmed that the Association’s main goal is to make Ikorodu Oga Day compete with the likes of Ojude Oba Day in Ijebuode. He reiterated that the Association’s objective is not only to organise the Ikorodu Oga Day, but to continuing carrying out total re-packaging and rebranding of Ikorodu to suit recent developments in Lagos State and the world.

"The reasons for staging this yearly event was to keep the heritage and traditions of our land in line, so as to avoid it being going into extinction, Alhaji Fatai told to MegaXpression Community Magazine.

He further assured that Ikorodu town will forever be proud to showcase its cultural heritage to the world, just as it also advances it to meet with international standard.

"This year’s Ikorodu-Oga will begin effectively on the 9th - 16th November, 2019 and in line with our practice, the walk for fitness exercise which precedes the event proper would hold on Saturday 19th October, 2019. The purpose of WALK FOR FITNESS exercise is to arouse the interest of our people and create the desired awareness about the celebration.

"As usual, we will be going to the mosque on Friday 8th November, 2019 to pray for God’s blessings throughout the event and climax it with a thanksgiving service in the Church on Sunday 17th November, 2019.

"There is going to be a slight change in our programmes from what we did last year due to some innovations made within the year by the newly constituted executive members of the association.

"Some of the programmes for the event includes but not limited to school debate, marathon race, beauty competition, music extravaganza, dancing competition, Ikorodu showcases its talents, Woro Carnival, Youth emancipation programme, medical checkup, (prostrate and cervical cancer screening) cultural display of our heritage, Market Expo which replaces our Ikorodu-Oga Mini Trade Fair, Cocktails for corporate business organization.

"The new programme such as Ikorodu-oga cultural & Arts troupe, (IKOCAT) will be launched as well as legal talk by the Nigeria bar association (NBA) Ikorodu branch to sensitize and educate our people on their rights and privileges. Ikorodu showcases its talent is a novelty to encourage the teeming youths in our community.

"We are all aware of the support given to Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) last year by international brewery, producer of popular Trophy larger bear in our socio-cultural development of Ikorodu community. I must use this medium to express our profound gratitude to the organization. In pursuance of our desire to have a better outing this year.

"We are not unaware of the large crowd of the last year’s edition which indeed posed a lot of threat to our security machinery. I wish to state that, we have improved on our security tactics with the involvement of military personnel and other intelligent agencies to beef up our security challenges to avert uncontrollable commotion," Alhaji Fatai explained.

He further expressed profound gratitude to the Lagos State government for its yearly financial support which has assisted the Association in attaining its present status. "It is our hope that the incumbent governor Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu will do as his predecessors and do the association proud," he added.

The IKODASS Deputy Chairman also thanked the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi and his wife Olori Kudirat Abosede Shotobi and other Royal Heads in Ikorodu Division, who have been wonderful in their support and cooperation.

Questions were entertained from the Press with accurate responses from the IKODASS executive members, before the unveiling of 2019 Ikorodu Oga Day Logo, Ankara for the event and awareness Stickers.

Also speaking with MegaXpression News shortly after the Press Briefing was the P.R.O, IKODASS, Prine Adekunle Eniola Bada, who eloquently revealed that this year's edition is  also aimed at grooming the youths, so as to encourage them in channeling their strength towards the upliftment of Ikorodu Division. 

He therefore urged Ikorodu indigenes both home and abroad to make this year's  celebration a mother of all celebrations.

SHAKIRU SEIDU
The Publisher/Editor,
MegaXpression Community Magazine.