Kunle Adelabu
About eight years after, the 13ft tall fiberglass statue of Asa (man on delicate stilt sticks) erected at Ogolonto which heralded the now rested Asa Festival organised by the IREP – Ikorodu Division Rebirth Foundation, has been moved to the Ipakodo/Ebute -Iga Roundabout opposite the ultra – modern Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Market.
The statue was moved due to road expansion by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructures in conjunction with the Lagos Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture.
IREP – Ikorodu Division Rebirth Foundation, a non-governmental organisation in Ikorodu, Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, which focused on cultural and tourism development was established by the former Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly and the Opomulero of Ikorodu Division, Hon. Sanai Oyeniran Bolanle (SOB) Agunbaide, in 2015.
Following the acceptance and approval by the entire traditional rulers in Ikorodu Division, and subsequent approval by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, the 13ft Asa statue was erected at Ogolonto Junction in Ikorodu on Wednesday, April 12, 2017.
IREP which aimed at showcasing and promoting Ikorodu’s cultural heritage and tourism potential, in November the same year, commissioned the statue on Saturday, November 4, 2017 and on the same day, staged the maiden Asa Festival attended by the Ooni of Ife, the Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ọjájá II, represented by Obas and chiefs from Ife, while the then Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode was represented by his acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Hon. (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola.
Also in attendance were the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi and the entire traditional rulers in Ikorodu Division.
To commemorate the festival and document Asa as a play and deity, a book, Asa Arokolo: Man on Delicate Stilt Sticks, was also presented by the IREP at the commissioning.
