Based on what has been described by many as ‘dead interest’ and apathy of well-meaning sons and daughters of Ikorodu to the annual celebrations of Ikorodu Oga Day festival, due to the inability of organizers to run an all-inclusive ceremony, the Chairman-elect, Ikorodu Development Association, IKODASS, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, has stated that his administration will partner Nigeria’s first Online Community Radio; Ikorodu Oga Radio, to rebrand and reposition the yearly event, as a way of appealing to individuals and groups who have felt secluded over the years.
Speaking as guest on Ikorodu Oga Radio’s flagship programme, Ikorodu Division Icon show, the new IKODASS Chair said the yearly Ikorodu Oga Day celebration has lost its shine due to non-inclusion and participation of Clubs within the division, who are supposed to give support towards the event. “I don’t want to blame the organizers, but Ikorodu people, who are a funny set of people who would not ordinarily want to come out and identify with the course of Ikorodu. I say it without any regret, Ikorodu people are too individualistic and this is one of the problems that is retarding our forward movement,” he stated.
He added that the association would embark on image projection and massive image laundering, to regain the confidence of the people in Ikorodu. “That is why we want to seek the support of people like you who are in this kind of business to project the image of Ikorodu. We are going to work hands in glove with you so that we can collectively do something because Ikorodu is fast becoming a cosmopolitan state”, he stated.
While speaking further on rebranding the image of the association, Otunba Abiru said the yearly award, which is part of the yearly commemoration of Ikorodu, he said his office will only recognize individuals who are inspirational symbols and have contributed positively to humanity and the socio-economic development of Ikorodu, as against recognition based on wealth or social class.
The retired Permanent Secretary, who revealed the plans of the association to bring in Corporate sponsorship into the yearly occasion, however used the platform of Ikorodu Oga Radio, to call on well-meaning Ikorodu indigenes, at home and diaspora to contribute moral and financial support towards the success of the event this year.
Otunba Abiru, however expressed optimism that if all concerned could come together, the yearly Ikorodu Oga Day would begin to attract attention international attention by foreign tourists, like the Ojude Oba f and Osun Oestival in Ijebu Ode and Oshun Osogbo festivals.
