Residents of Ikorodu should expect nothing short of innovative programmes, cultural activities and other interesting week-long activities at this year’s Ikorodu Oga Day celebration, slated for 9th -16th November, 2019.
This was revelaed by the deputy Chairma, IKODASS Alh Kolawole Fatai at the official press briefing of Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS, as part of preparation for this year meant to flag off through the 2019 celebration.
Addressing a congregation of jpournalists and community stakeholders at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Alh Kolawole stated that,’this year’s Ikorodu-Oga will begin effective 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 of 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’.
He added that there will be a slight change in programmes from that of 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 events 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, (Prostate and Cervical Cancer screening) Cultural Display of our heritage, Market Expo which replace our Ikorodu-Oga Mini-Trade Fair, cocktails for corporate Business Organization.
‘The newly introduced programmes 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 Youth in our Community’, he added.
In assuring residents and participants of a more fun-filled event, he added that, ‘in pursuance of our desire to have a better outing this year, we have been talking with the officials of International Brewries Ltd and I will want you to be rest assured that based on the outcome of our meetings, a lot of goodies await us in this year’s entertainment. Consequent on our objective to help in the promotion of our Indigenous Artists resident in Ikorodu and outside of it, we have reached an agreement to make use of them, as both star and supportive performers. This is one of the ways we can project them for their economic benefit and glory of Ikorodu Community. Trophy will not disappoint us in this.
On crowd control and security for participants at the week-long event, Alh Kolawole noted 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. Regardless of whatever formidable security apparatus we may have in place, the co-operation of the people is crucial to the success of it and therefore I am seeking for your maximum cooperation and understanding during the period of the celebration. While thanking the generality of the people for maintaining relative peace last year. I want to plead that we should try and maintain peace and orderliness, adherence and obeisance to the instructions of security Agencies would be in the interest of all’, he assured.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, member of the Press, it is my honour and privilege to welcome you all to this event and also unveil our 2019 Ikorodu Oga Logo. Themed “ CULTURAL RESOLUTION A NECESSITY FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC & POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT. To the glory God, service to humanity, promotion of cultural heritage/enhancement of Tourism potentials and economic prosperity of Ikorodu Kingdom.
He concluded his address by informing interested residents and indigenes on the availability of the official 2019 Ikorodu-Oga Ankara which is available for sale at a cost of N2,000 per 6yards.
