Kunle Adelabu
2019 Igbogbo Day: Residents Embark On Cultural Parade As Igbogbo International Carnival Takes Centre Stage
As the 2019 Igbogbo Day entered the second day on Saturday, November 23, 2019, different groups and hundreds of residents of Igbogbo community in Ikorodu Division area of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, trooped out to the streets to showcase their cultural heritages.
The parade started earlier with hundreds of residents converging on the Igbogbo Township Stadium from where they marched through Ogunlewe Estate, Igbogbo-Bayeku road, Ojubode, Odofin road, Igbogbo-Ipakodo road, Club 24 junction, Oba Molaja road, Basorun, Aina Olowu, kola Ogunkoya, Bola Tinubu road and Meri road before berthing at the Adeboruwa palace in Igbogbo.
The carnival provided a convivial atmosphere for the cheering indigenes and non-indigenes, both at home and abroad, as well as residents to celebrate the rich culture of Igbogbo and also come together in fellowship and showcase their heritages and contribute to the development of the community.
The event featured an exciting performances by nine traditional, market and youth groups which wowed the crowd including the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, his chiefs, officials of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, members of Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA), 2019 Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, residents and visitors.
After hours of procession and parade, the Abosan Forum (Itun Abosan) emerged the winner of 2019 Igbogbo Day International Carnival and received N100, 000 prize money for their efforts while additional N50, 000 was added by the chairman of the occasion.
The pair of Ogo-Oluwa Plank Market and the Nigeria Union of Tailors (NUT), Igbogbo chapter, came second and third and won #50,000 and #25, 000 prize money respectively.
Alhaji Sulaimon Ayokunle, the Managing Director, CityBuild Enterprise and chairman of the occasion, while addressing the gathering, stated that the annual celebration would, further develop Igbogbo community.
“Igbogbo is already a big town and it will continue to grow bigger with cooperation among its people” , he stated.
“This is a great gathering of community people with Kabiyesi and his chiefs. It is commendable. We are witnessing great cooperation between the palace and the community since this Oba ascended his ancestors’ throne”, he stated.
“I can see that the community people are always willing to felicitate and cooperate with the Kabiyesi”, he added.
Alhaji Ayokunle, who stated that he hails from the Abosan family in Igbogbo, commended all the groups that performed and called for more cooperation and support for the Oba Kasali.
In his royal message, Oba Kasali thanked the entire people of Igbogbo and the organisers of the awards for putting in place a befitting 31st Igbogbo Day Celebration.
He appealed to all the members of the groups that participated in the cultural display to see themselves as winners and prepare better for next year’s edition.
While praising the Igbogbo Zone of the Lagos State Central Sand and Granite Suppliers Association for their maturity, decorum, display and continual support for the palace, the royal father also stated that the group is specially recognized.
He enjoined other groups to emulate the good deeds of the group.
Igbogbo Day continues on Sunday, November 24, with the Artistes’ Day at the Adeboruwa Palace, Igbogbo, by 2pm and Ram Competition at Igbogbo Sports Stadium at the same time.
