Lawmaker calls for persistent effort in cultural revival
Many adults of voting age would have to learn some lessons from the students of the Ikorodu Grammar School, Oke Ota-Ona, Ikorodu, on how to make their elected and appointed representatives to effectively honour their requests.
The students, led by the Senior Prefects (male and female), on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, re-enacted the power of the students movement and informed electorate when they stormed the Ikorodu Constituency I office of Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, and practically dragged him to their Cultural Day event without any prior notice.
The school, on that Tuesday, commenced its Literary Week with Cultural activities day being the first event.
Speaking at the event after some cultural performances had taken placed; Hon. Agunbiade commended the performances of the students which he described as “superlative and rich”.
He added that it was a good thing that the students are learning the culture of the country in addition to the foreign ones being taught in school and other social engagements.
He stated that a people without culture have lost their existence.
“A people without culture do not exist”, Hon Agunbiade stated.
“Culture is a people and a people is a culture. Both work hands-in-hands. That the school deemed it fit to organize this implies that we are gradually retracing our steps and we are going to be better for it. We must reflect our culture in all we do” , he stated.
“We must continue to engage in activities that would promote our culture and heritages. That is who we are”, he said while enjoining the participants.
Commenting on how he was ‘dragged’ to the event, Hon. Agunbiade stated that the students had stormed his office, demanding that he must come and honour their Cultural Day.
“When I arrived my Constituency Office this morning, I was told that some students numbering about 30 came looking for me and before I could find out what their mission was, I saw another set of students, led by their Senior Prefects, asking me to come to their school to attend their cultural display event”, he revealed.
“When I demanded that I do not receive any invitation and notification to that effect, they simply told me that I must come since I’m their representative. At that point, I have no choice but to answer their summon” , Hon. Agunbiade admitted.
“I respect the students and the way they asked me to honour their programme, even though, their teachers did not deem it necessary to invite me”, he said jokingly.
While informing the massive gathering of students on the open field where the event took place that he attended Jamatul Primary School for his primary education, Teachers’ College and later Lagos State College of education and later Lagos State University, he enjoined them never to be ashamed of their schools.
“Once again, I love your performances in Yoruba, Igbo, Huasa, Itsekiri, Edo and Igala among other performances. May God bless you all and increase your knowledge”, Hon. Agunbiade prayed for the students.
The lawmaker gave an undisclosed amount of money to each of the groups that performed for their entertainment, while he also announced a donation of N50,000 for the school for putting in place such event.
