By Segun Fatuase
Asa Arokolo Cultural Festival, an important and notable colourful event, was grandly celebrated by the mammoth crowd of Ikorodu indigenes and residents last Thursday, December 16, 2021 .
The Festival featured Horses rides while Asa Arokolo from Isele, Ijomu, Igbogbo, Okeletu, Imowo-Nla, Agura and Aga entertained with gaiety .
The event which was organised by the by Ikorodu Rebirth Foundation (IREP) featured indigenous dances and artistic displays by different cultural groups to the delight of royal fathers and residents/indigenes from Ijede, Agura, Okeletu, Ipakodo, Odonla and other parts of Ikorodu division.
The Ikorodu Town Hall which was filled to the brim, had in attendance was anchored by a renowned Radio Presenter, Chief Gbenga Odumosu Eweso .
Former Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Kaoli Olusanya, commended the convener for reactivating the abandoned cultural heritage of Ikorodu, adding that it would promote unity among the regions.
Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade, who spoke at the occasion, appealed to the Lagos state government to pay particular attention to the Asa Festival and promote it into an annual tourism event. He also stressed the importance of promoting Yoruba language and culture.
According to him, the festival has the potentials of unifying the people culturally and promoting tourism in Ikorodu division and beyond.
State Commissioner for Tourism, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf while speaking at the occasion, commended the organisers for using culture to unite the people and stressed that the state government will encourage the initiative.
She also used the opportunity to inform the people of the state government’s determination to boost tourism with the setting up of Community Based Tourism pilot offices in all the divisions of the state, including Ikorodu division.
The commissioner added that the Lagos state government is in the process of putting together a documentary to showcase all the tourist attraction sites in all the divisions in Lagos state.
“The ministry also met with the Ikorodu LG and the LCDAs’ about the pilot offices and motivation as well as conducted training for tour operators and guides on how to take visitors to different places including the Oba’s palace. We have done training for the tour operators and guards so that any tourist that comes will be taken to different places. We have also discussed with our traditional rulers to encourage anything that will be of tourist concerns,’’ she said.
IREP Chairman, Otunba Dare Odufowokan commended Hon. S.O.B. Agunbiade for sponsoring the Asa Arokolo festival and expressed appreciation to everyone who made it a commendable effort.
The ceremony was rounded up with the performance of Fuji music Star, Alhaji Sulaimon Alao Malaika who entertained guests with melodious music.
Royal fathers in attendance included Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Ranodu of Imota, Oba Mudashiru Ajibade Agoro, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba AbdulSemiu Orimadegun Kasali, Oba Elemoro, Oba Bashir Aremu Sotonwa, Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba Raji Kayode, Eweye of Isiwu, Oba Ojora of Ijora and Oba of Poka in Epe.
Others were Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Member Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Ikorodu Constituency II, Nurudeen Sholaja-Saka, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos State, Uzamat Akinbile Yusuf, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Hon. (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola, Majority Leaders from Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Oyo States.
Others were the wife of the Majority Leader of Lagos State, Alhaja Tairat Agunbiade and other members of Lagos State Legislators’ wife Association, LASLEWA, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Otunba Ganiu Olusegun Abiru, Hon. Sulaimon Olanrewaju of Ikorodu West LCDA and Otunba Waliu Daisi.