Kunle Adelabu
It was a unique outing in every sense as the Tortuga Frigate, under the leadership of Comrade Olalekan Pelumi, popularly called ‘Rado’, on Saturday, October 30, 2021, pulled another successful outing with the staging of the first ever ‘Agbada’ festival in Ikorodu.
The colourful and well – attended gathering was held at the Avim Event Hall, Akasoleri, Itamaga Road, Ikorodu.
The unique event, tagged, ‘Unique Agbada Festival & Award’, had many members of Tortuga Frigate, their families, friends and guests gorgeously dressed in different colourful flowing ‘agbada’ attires.
They were joined by members of other branches of Buccaneer organization in the state to stage the exciting, classy and fun – filled festival.
Comrade Pelumi, whose tenure as the Captain of the Tortuga Frigate is coming to an end in two months time, in his speech at the festival, said that he just wanted to appreciate his members for the support given to him to have a successful tenure.
“I just want to thank my fellow Tortugarians for their support”, he said.
“The journey has been tough and challenging but with the support of my members, we have been able to sail well.
“I keep saying that the difference is clear. We are different from others. We’re not cultists or hooligans. We are reliable and responsible citizens”, Pelumi said.
“We are not cultists but a group of people that have been following and executing the aims and objectives of Ban F”, he added.
He thanked their wives for their support and cooperation.
“I thank you our wives for not giving us problems and for making our homes peaceful”.
He also thanked other branches of the group for honouring their invites at all times while assuring that Tortuga Frigate will continue to uphold the objectives of the organization.
The National Executive President, BAN – BC72, Mr Abayomi Adejonwo, commended Tortuga Frigate for staging a festival in promotion of Yoruba culture, adding that it is part of the Buccaneer’s objectives.
“This is our way of celebrating our culture and engaging in social activities which is part of what our association stands for”, the National President said.
“It is our way of showing that we are ‘Omoluabis’ and responsible citizens.
“We are not a secret organization but family members and those of you who are family members know the roles that we play in the society.
“Anyone who is not an Omoluabi cannot be a Buccaneer. We believed in loyalty, justice and doing right as an individual and an organisation. That’s exactly what makes us Omoluabis”, Mr Adejonwon said.
He commended the outgoing Tortuga Frigate Captain for his good leadership.
“The Tortugal Frigate Captain has shown exemplary leadership with his activities”, he commended.
He commended him and his members for organizing the ‘Agbada’ festival while charging them and other guests to have a funfilled moment at the event.
Mr Luqman Olabisi, former National Executive President, BAN BC72, also commended the Tortuga Captain and equally stated that Buccaneers are not cult members.
“Rado (Olalekan Pelumi) is a wonderful man and I am here today because of him. He has shown over time that he is an effective leader”, he said.
“And, of course, I am also here because I attach great importance to Buccaneer activities.
“I would have asked him to do another term (as Captain of Tortuga Frigate) if I could because he has done very well. Thank you for all that you have been doing for Buccaneer”, he commended him.
“We are not a secret cult. Those calling us that are only calling the dog a bad name in order to hang it”.
He described the ‘Agbada’ festival as Tortuga’s way of promoting Yoruba cultural heritage.
Mr Abayomi Adejowon, the National Executive President BAN-BC72 and Mr. Lukman Olabisi, a former National Executive President, were presented with awards of excellence in recognition of their roles in repositioning the organization and setting a stable course for the adventure in general.
Also, some chieftains of the party were presented with Awards of Excellence for their contributions to the organization, while Certificates of Excellence were presented to some selected media organizations, including THE IMPACT, for their efforts in propagating the activities of the group.
According to the account of stewardship of the Comrade Pelumi’s administration in the last two years as presented by the Secretary of Tortuga Frigate, Mr … and Mr Samson Soneye, presentation of sanitation equipment to Sabo market, presentation of food and other items to orphanage home, presentation of 55 NECO SSCE to indigent students in Ikorodu, were listed as some of its achievements.
Others were beach party and family picnic, distribution of Xmas gifts to members, registration of the organization with the Ikorodu Local Government, opening of social media handles to propagate activities of the group.
During his speech, Captain Pelumi also said that during his administration, 28 members of the group bought new vehicles.
HotDJ Kay and his crew members were on ground to entertain Tortuga members and their guests with good old songs and Lakunle Ologuro too was on ground to provide guests with chilled palm wine.
