Kunle Adelabu & Wale Jagun
-As Qdot, Pasuma, others thrill crowd
It was indeed an unforgettable experience of the richness of Ikorodu culture as traditional rulers in and outside the community put up a spectacular display as they led about hundred Asas to perform to the amusement of the massive crowd that trooped out enmasse to participate in the second edition of the Asa Arokolo festival.
This year’s edition of the festival, which started in 2017, was held at the Ikorodu Ferry Terminal, Ebute – Ipakodo in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, on Saturday, November 2.
Revered traditional rulers present at the memorable cultural event were the Permanent 1st Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas & Chiefs and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabiru Adewale Shotobi and his wife, the Akarigbo of Remoland, HRM Oba Adewale Ajayi, FCA, Ranodu of Imota, HRM Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, FCA, the Secretary of the Ijebuland Obas in Lagos State and the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, HRM Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali and his wives, HRM Oba Richard Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe, and his wife and HRM Oba Bashir Sotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo,and his wife.
Other traditional rulers were the Gbobisabe, HRM Oba Owolabi deyemi Adeniyi, the Olu of Epe, HRM Oba Adewale Osiberu, the Ewusi of Makun, HRM Oba Timothy Akinsanya, the Oloja of Epe, HRM Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, the Ilugbajo of Odogbawojo, HRM Oba Mufutau Adegbajo, HRM Oba Kolawole Aliru and Oba of Ipoka among many others.
The Regent/Olisa of Ijede, High Chief Musediq Alliu, led the scores of traditional chiefs across Ikorodu Division to the festival which is, no doubt, gradually gaining global attention as one of the foremost annual tourism event in Ngeria.
Also in attendance were officers and members of the Lagos State House of Assembly and their wives led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and his wife.
The event featured spectacular performances by about 100 Asas from eight communities in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State , namely Aga, Ijomu, Isele, Mowo-Nla, Oke-Eletu, Igbogbo, Agura and Imota.
There were also performances by Asas from Makun area of Sagamu in Ogun State, where Asa tradition is still very prominent and has been preserved for centuries.
The event, which has been recognized by the State government as one of its annual cultural event, is being organized by the IREP – Ikorodu Division Rebirth Foundation, founded by Hon. SOB Agunbiade, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The Ranodu of Imota, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo and Ewusi of Makun led other Obas to entertain the cheering crowd as they mounted the stage to dish out various dedicated Asa songs and also put up some exciting royal dance steps in what could be described as the peak of the event described by many as an unforgettable cultural gathering.
Also at the event, popular fuji music act, Alhaji Alabi Wasiu Pasuma and Ikorodu-born Afro-Hiphop music act, Qudus ‘Qdot’ Alagbe , took turn on the bandstand to thrill the crowd with some of their best songs.
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs Olufunke Onabolu was represented at the festival.
Meanwhile, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, in his address, welcomed royal fathers, officials of the ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, market men and women, students, Asa custodians and other participants to the event, stating that Asa was conceived to promote the culture and traditions of the people of Ikorodu division.
“The Asa carnival is display of man on delicate stilt sticks. It is meant to showcase the culture and traditions of the people”.
He explained that his experience in Dublin when he attended Bar Conference and was welcomed by men on delicate stilt sticks challenged him to established IREP – Ikorodu Division Rebirth Foundation to revive the dying Asa tradition and other cultural heritages to promote tourism development in the division.
“The celebration is to rebrand the culture of the people in Ikorodu division. Asa tradition, which has been with our people for centuries, is meant to entertain and make people relax”.
He explained that his group is committed to reviving dying culture in Yoruba land and develop tourism in Ikorodu.
Hon Agunbiade added that researches into the cultural display of Asa took him and his team to Osun where they discovered that it started from Iremo quarters in Ile-Ife from where it spread to Remo in Sagamu and other parts of the Yoruba land.
“I discovered that this culture is dying and we embarked on a mission to revive it. We have also researched into it and published a book on it” , he stated.
“We went to Ile Ife in Osun State and we discovered that Asa started from Iremo quarters in IIe-Ife and the people of Iremo later moved to Remo that is now under Ogun State and they are close to us”.
The four-term lawmaker, while expressing concern about the younger generation and others who do not know their culture , revealed that IREP has also started looking into other areas of Ikorodu culture in order to promote them.
“We have a lot of things that can be turned into tourism centres in Ikorodu. We will ensure that Ikorodu become the tourism hub of Lagos State”.
He , however, called on the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, to give more support to IREP’s projects which, according to him, are aimed at developing tourism.
Agunbiade also raised his voice against how religion has negatively impacted on culture and called for a rethink.
“Asa Carnival, like other parts of our culture, has been neglected because of religion. Religion has overtaken our culture which we no longer promote anymore. We spend money to go abroad to see our culture in form of tourism”.
He opined that religion should not disturb the people from practising their culture, adding that idol worshipping is different from culture.
Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, in his own remarks, emphasised the need to promote culture, tradition and customs of the Nigerian people which he said can serve as source of revenue.
“This is a very big outing. I have said it that we must develop and promote our culture, custom and tradition, most especially now that the nation is looking at other sources of revenue.
Hon. Obasa, who stated that other countries are generating revenues through tourism, added that festivals like Asa will provide opportunities to tell others in different parts of the world what the country’s culture is all about.
He congratulated the organisers for promoting Ikorodu and by extension, Lagos State’s cultural values.
Obasa also charged the people to speak Yoruba Language always while also urging them to propagate the Yoruba culture.
Other features of the event which made it a true reflection of a cultural setting were palm wine spots located at strategic locations of the expansive venue for enjoyment of the participants, Gbedu drums to welcome and entertain traditional rulers and chiefs as well as horse riding which all added colour to the event.
Other eminent guests present at the event were the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Chairman, Lagos Assembly House Committee on Tourism, Arts & Culture, Hon. Nurudeen Solaja, Chairman of Ikorodu-Oga Development Association, Otunba Ganiu Abiru, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Agriculture and Co-Operative, Miss. Ruth Bisola Olusanya, Vice Chairman APC East Senatorial District, Asipa Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya, Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, his Vice, Hon Folasade Olabanji- Oba, Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Jumoke Ademehin, Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Salisu Fathiu , Chief Monzor Olowosago,Publisher, Oriwu Sun, Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Lagos State, Prince Oyebola Ologijo, and Chief (Alhaja) Taofeekat Allinson, Iyaloja General of Ikorodu division, among others.
