For a maiden edition, Ipakodo Day Celebrations have been considered by most attendees as a festival that outshines expectations.
An extravaganza that was presumed to be borrowed as a yardstick to measure further improvement criteria became a pace-setting occasion, exceeding the odds that were once related before it.
Even Ipakodo development association (IDA), organisers of the maiden edition would retreat after its ground-breaking grand finale, which took place at Ebute ferry terminal, popularly known as Dangote in Ipakodo.
Attracting esteemed dignitaries across the Ikorodu division, the festival was received by all in attendance as if it had already been in existence, paving the way to sophisticated editions ahead.
With a cultural heritage in full display as promised, the event harboured paramount rulers including HRMs; Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba Olukayode David Raji, Eweye of Isiwu kingdom, Oba (Dr.)Adeoriyomi Oluwasesan Abdul-Akeem Oyebo, Obateru of Egbin kingdom,Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya, Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Baales and kingmakers across the waterbed region.
Clarifying that the idea behind the celebration goes beyond merely gathering together for merry-making, Prince Olasunkanmi Shotonwa, in his speech, stated that the event is conceived to provide a veritable platform for the promotion of cultural renaissance, economic development and peaceful coexistence among indigenes and all residents of Ipakodo Kingdom, irrespective of tribe or belief system.
According to him, the festival’s finale is a medium to honour illustrious sons and daughters who are doing well in their various sectors of life and also to recognise other outstanding residents, honorary chiefs, traditional leaders and political leaders who have in one way or the other contributed to the development of the kingdom.
Thanking His Royal Majesty, Oba Bashiru Aremu Sotonwa, (Osomeku 1) Sekumade of Ipakodo for envisioning the commencement of the Celebrations, Prince Olasunkanmi cited the event as a new dawn in the history of Ipakodo community.
A major high point of the finale was the unveiling of Ipakodo Hall-of-Fame, a segment that honours past heroes, another medium to relate history to the upcoming generations of Ipakodo community.
In his remarks, HRM, Oba Bashiru Aremu Sotonwa, Sekumade of Ipakodo thanked the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, particularly on the newly rehabilitated Oba Sekumade Road in Ipakodo.
Extending his heartfelt gratitude to Senator Tokunbo Abiru who doubles as the chairman of the occasion for championing courses to transform lives, the paramount ruler also acknowledged the Otun of Ikorodu Division, Hon Babajimi Benson (MHR), for bringing smiles to the faces of Ipakodo residents.
He later praised the Majority Leader of the Lagos State house of Assembly and Member representing Ikorodu Constituency 1, Hon S.O.B Agunbaide for his legislative interventions towards the rehabilitation of the Oba Sekumade Road.
“Like the historic elephant killed by our progenitor, Prince Sekumade, Ipakodo Kingdom has risen from its decades of slumber into socio-political consciousness”.
“We are now ready to take our rightful place in the scheme of things among the league of communities in Ikorodu Division, Lagos State and Nigeria at large” Oba Sotonwa asserted.
Further intimating guests in attendance, the Chairman of the occasion, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, represented by Dr Saheed Ibikunke, noted that Ipakodo is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and should be showcased to the world.
Proclaiming the festival as long overdue, Senator Abiru exhorts residents to collaborate with the celebration and realise more gains.
Reiterating his accomplishments in his 21 (twenty-one) months in office, Abiru concluded that the festival is a veritable avenue for the socio-economic development of communities.
In his brief appearance and statement, Hon SOB Agunbiade, ML, Lagos state house of Assembly, representing Ikorodu constituency 1 applauded His Royal Majesty, Oba Bashiru Aremu for making the festival a reality.
He further urged the organisers to make the annual event an avenue to educate youths in the community about the cultures, traditions and history of the land.
At the high point of the event, an award of recognition was presented to dignitaries that have stirred up development in the land, while the first Sekumade and Baale were inducted into the Ipakodo hall of fame.
Others in attendance include; Hon Sulaiman Olarewaju, Executive Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Chief Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Dr Taiwo Hassan, Executive Director, Ikorodu General Hospital, Ndi-Igbo union, Arewa set in Ipakodo community, etc.
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