IPAKODO TO THE WORLD: TRADITIONAL WORO PROCESSION  PROCLAIMS START OF MAIDEN IPAKODO DAY CELEBRATION 2022 ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

The official opening of Ipakodo day celebration 2022 in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) set off with a conventional Woro parade on the 3rd of October, letting the world know, it’s time for the region’s endowment to be recognized.

Showcasing its lineage and ancestral origin, time-honoured administrators, youth leaders and residents alike joined the parade which in no doubt sounded the alarm on the maiden annual spectacle.

Aimed at creating a platform through which dwellers, indigenes and stakeholders of Ipakodo community can socialise and exhibits their various antecedents, the procession kicked off in the early hours of the mild weather Monday.

Besides Ipabi/Esugbo to emisson road, the convoy walked through David’s crescent to Dele Kuti axis, Olayinka-Igbajigbo down to Dangote roundabout, by the ferry terminal, from TOS Benson back to Oba Sekumade’s Palace (where it started from), the entire community was pitched to the new social extravaganza.

With maximum security on ground to co-ordinate the various routes, the procession was peaceful, calm, exciting and entertaining.

As the ceremony later converged at the Palace, HRM, Oba (Engr.) Bashiru Aremu Shotonwa, (Sekumade Of Ipakodo), royal father of the ceremony communicated his appreciation to traditional leaders, youths (ably led by Dr Fatai Abiodun Abatan) and dwellers for making the maiden flag-off memorable.

Noting the festival as the inception of a bigger course for the land, Oba Aremu Shotonwa explained that for every great stride, there’s always a starting point.

He continued, “I’ve been on the throne for 5 years, and obviously, a celebration of this kind should have commenced prior, but it’s good we have eventually done it and this will be used as a yardstick for subsequent editions”.

“Ikorodu Oga Day Celebration, Igbogbo Day Celebration and Imota Ayayo Day all started distinctively, and their consistency has made them unique. That’s why Ipakodo Day celebration will set its pace and build on its trajectory”.

“We’re going to give the world a pass to see what we have to offer in terms of our culture and other natural endowments, it is a thing of elation as we hope to keep going in this dimension” HRM added

According to the Olisa Of Ipakodo Kingdom, High Chief Oludayo Shotomiwa (who spoke briefly with Ikorodu News Network {INN}), stated that the Woro procession is meant to unite residents of the gateway community for good measures, inferring them with the advent of the festivity.

“It is about consenting the world to know about our Business, Culture and socioeconomic values, also for the improvement and expansion of Ipakodo kingdom”.

“We’re using this medium to uncover the growth and wealth of our culture, a lot of people do not know that through the Ipakodo community you can gain access junctures to other states in Nigeria”.

“Also, demonstrating our heritage like the Igunnu and other masquerades which we harness is evaluated a unique form of tourist attraction which can keep the eyes of the world on what we do regularly”.

High Chief Oludayo Shotomiwa further noted that ‘Ebute’ in Ipakodo is the 2nd community to house the Nigerian port authority in Lagos State, making the region a major player in the maritime industry.

Prince Olasunkanmi Shotonwa, Chairman, Ipadoko Development Association, cited the Woro procession and festival kick-off as a huge success given the little time spent on preparing for the maiden edition of the celebration.

“We have started, all we can ask now is for our stakeholders and business owners to give us support, rally around us and take advantage of our brochures for advert placements”.

“This is our maiden edition, so the support from our people both moral and financial is important because we know it can only get bigger from this point onwards” Prince Olasunkanmi concluded.