ASA FESTIVAL 2019: GLAMOUR AS IKORODU DIVISION CELEBRATES ITS IDENTITY IN GRAND STYLE. Monarchs, Legislators, others applaud the Scout Master, IREP, Hon S.O.B Agunbiade.

The joyfulness of Royal Heads, Chiefs, and residents of Ikorodu Division knew no bound on Saturday, November 2, 2019, when the people of Ikorodu, from far and near, came together to celebrate their identity. 'ASA' was said to be a beautiful sociocultural heritage of decades which usually harmonize the people of Ikorodu Division in the good old days. 

The gradual extinction of this 'ASA' has been salvaged by the Scout Master, Hon. S.O.B. Agunbiade, the Majority leader, Lagos State House of Assembly and Opomulero of Ikorodu Kingdom, in a bid to restore the emblem that unites the people of Ikorodu Division together.

This year's ASA Carnival witnessed large crowd, as the four angles of the Ferry Terminal, Ipakodo, Ikorodu, were filled to the maximum capacity. The event which was anchored by the popular presenter of Gbajumo Osere, Mrs Doyin Kukoyi and Hon Azeez Olosugbo had in attendance some notable Royal Heads from Yoruba land. Amongst which are His Royal Majesties, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba AbdulSemiu Orimadegun Kasali, Oba Adeoriyomi Abdulakeem Oyebo, Obateru of Egbin, and Oba Richard Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Oba of Poka in Epe, Oba Noforija, Oba Elemoro, Oba Benson of Ogudu, and Royal Heads from Ijebu Remo.

Others are Hon Babajimi Benson, MHR, Hon Koro, MHR, Hon Nurudeen Saka-Sholaja of Ikorodu Constituency II, Ms Ruth Olusanya, S.A. Agric, Sen Adeseye Ogunlewe, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, wife of Mr Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Chief Mrs Olushola Obasa, wife of Deputy Speaker, Alhaja Bilgis Eshinlokun, wife of Majority leader, Alhaja Tairat Agunbiade and other members of Lagos State Legislators wife Association, LASLEWA, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Otunba Ganiu Abiru, Princess Jumoke Jumbo of Ikorodu West LCDA, Alhaji Fatiu Salisu of Ijede LCDA and other Council Chairmen, Primate Charles Odugbesi, Otunba Saheed Ibikunle, Otunba Waliu Daisi, Baale Ajetedo Remo, Dr. Steve Adesemehin, traditional Chiefs from Ikorodu, Imota, Igbogbo, Egbin, Ibeshe, Ijede, Ipakodo, APC leaders, top government functionaries, IKODASS, and other social and political groups.

There were activities on display at the festival, where horses rides, ASA from Isele, Ijomu, Igbogbo, Okeletu, Imowo-Nla, Agura, Aga and Council of Elekus entertained the guests with colourful parades.

The Scout master of IREP, Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade, in his eloquent remarks, thanked the Royal Leaders for their immense supports alongside with the good people of Ikorodu Division who stood firm with the team to achieve this far. He recounted the beginning of the journey of Ikorodu Rebirth Foundation as a means to celebrate and further understand Ikorodu value and Heritage. 

He further stated, while speaking with MegaXpression correspondent, that some of the rich cultural landmarks in Ikorodu Division and how Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi and other traditional heads in the region supported him in his quest to bring back the community's values and norms, also as a means to unite Ikorodu Division.

"The worst thing that can happen to a man is for him to be told his own story. ASA is our culture, it's an heritage made for fun and fiesta, it isn’t a deity, this makes it a festival that either christian, Muslim or traditionalist could be part of.

“Asa Festival is to preserve the cultural heritage of our land in Ikorodu Division, so we want the Ministry of Art and Culture to give us more support,” Agunbiade said. He advised youths to see ASA as part of their heritage that must not be allowed to die. The Opomulero of Ikorodu further commended some corporate bodies such as Guinness Nig Plc for their support so far.

The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa, in his eloquent remarks emphasized the need to promote Yoruba language and culture. He called for extensive use of Yoruba language among the people of Lagos State in order to continue to propagate Yoruba culture.

Hon Babajimi Benson, MHR, while responding to questions from MegaXpression correspondent said he's a lover of culture. He applauded Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade and IREP for their efforts in preserving the culture of Ikorodu Division. "It is high time we start promoting our own values and norms. ASA is a pride to Ikorodu Division and should not be taken lightly," he said.

Ealier before, the IREP Co-chairman, Otunba Dare Odufowokan, said IREP is the master minder of ASA carnival. "It’s our first assignment which we made several research concerning it. When our research started, we went to different libraries but we couldn’t find any written document concerning ASA just because it has been neglected and forgotten. We continued with our investigations and out of that, we got to know that ASA is quite different from 'Angere' and also we have published a book that the content entails information you could need concerning ASA, it is titled ASA AROKOLO," he explained.

Hip Up Stars, Dolapo Ewulogbo, Qdot Alagbe and Fuji music Star, Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, thereafter entertained the guests with melodious music.

OLASOJI SEIDU
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