Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-We are encouraging healthy competition, unity in Ikorodu – IKODASS chair
It was a massive outing by Aga community on Sunday, as residents trooped out in their hundreds for the pre – Ikorodu -Oga Day Woro Carnival/Fanti procession.
The procession was held to create awareness for the Fanti carnival which is being introduced into this year’s Woro procession which usually kicks off the annual celebration.
This year’s edition is the 34th being organized by the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS).
The pre – Fanti carnival, which was organized under the Aga Parapo Fanti Carnival Group, saw hundreds of residents joining the rally led by Mr Jamiu Inabiri, Chairman, Aga Parapo Carnival Committee.
The exciting procession literally brought Ikorodu to a standstill, sending strong signal to other major quarters in Ikorodu, of what to expect on Saturday, 8th of November, when the three major quarters in Ikorodu Kingdom – Aga, Ijomu and Isele would be staging competitive Fanti Carnival.
Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, are expected to judge and determine the winner of the maiden Fanti Carnival in Ikorodu.
Meanwhile, the Aga Fanti Carnival procession, which kicked – off from California, saw residents in their large numbers matching through Ikorodu Club Road to link Gafar Bolowotan Street, Jaiyesimi Street, Ekuji Street down to Gbasemo Road where they had a stop-over at the junction of Elepe Royal Estate.
Turning back at the Elepe Royal Estate junction, the crowd came through the Gbasemo Road and paid homage at the palace of the Baale of Aga, before marching to Aga junction to link Ireshe Road, Ita Elewa, Oriwu Road, and headed to Ojogbe, before matching through the Ayangburen Road to connect Ayangburen Palace. They later retreated through Ita Elewa and converge on the Aga/ Otambala Street junction where the pre – Fanti Carnival procession was terminated.
At the Aga/Otambala junction, Baale Aga, Chief Ibrahim Olukotun, Chairman, Aga Parapo Fanti Carnival Committee, Mr Jamiu inabiri, were joined by community chieftains and Mr Olalekan Pelumi (Rado), Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Fanti Carnival Committee, to unveil the Aga Parapo Fanti Carnival flag and logo erected at the frontage of The African Church Bethel Cathedral, Ikorodu.
Speaking with THE IMPACT during the procession, Ahaji Kolawole Fatai, Chairman, Ikorodu -Oga Development Association (IKODASS), was speechless as the turnout of Aga residents was beyond his imagination.
“In fact, I am speechless. I don’t know what to say, because this just tells us what to come on the 8th of November. If Aga is bringing out these large crowd for this colourful flag-off, what then is going to happen on the day of the Carnival”, he asked rhetorically.
“This is just a flag off, but as you can see, the whole community of Aga are out. You can see both the old and the young ones identifying with the initiative. What is this? This is awesome! I don’t know what to say, but I’m very happy with what is happening in Ikorodu today.
“The unity is fully coming back, and that’s what we want to achieve among the three major quarters of Ikorodu – Aga, Ijomu and Isele.
“What I intended is to unite everybody and promote cooperation and development in Ikorodu”, Alhaji Kolawole said.
When asked if Aga was sending a strong signal to others, for the forthcoming Fanti Carnival competition, the IKODASS Chairman said:
“In fact, as you too can see, Aga is ready for business. This is just a preamble, but I know that they still have so much in store that they are going to unleash.
“I also know that other areas too are not sleeping, especially with this pre -carnival processesion.
“Seriously, we are getting there in Ikorodu, and proving that we are Ogas. I am not going to be among the judges on that day. We are expecting officials of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture who will be looking at the participants and judging them on certain criterion.
Ahead of the commencement of the 2025 Ikorodu -Oga Day Celebration, the IKODASS Chairman called for unity among the three areas and generality of Ikorodu residents.
“Let us be united. There should be no fighting. This is just to entertain, promote friendliness, advance cooperation and bring us together. It is just another form of interaction and festival, and nothing that serious. It is an avenue to enjoy ourselves and promote Ikorodu tourism”, he said.
Chief Ibrahim Olukotun, Baale Aga who was conspicuously satisfied with the outing, while expressing himself during the rally, thanked God for the massive turnout, and also commended residents of Aga, for their support.
