Kunle Adelabu
-We are working towards making Ikorodu Fanti an int’l one – Rado
The Ikorodu -Oga Development Association (IKODASS), has assured the three major quarters and residents of Ikorodu that this year’s edition of the annual Ikorodu Fanti Carnival will be different despite the huge success recorded in its maiden edition.
Alhaji Fatai Kolawole, IKODASS Chairman, and Comrade Lekan Pelumi (Rado), Coordinator of the Fanti Carnival, gave the assurance at a meeting with representatives of the three major quarters in Ikorodu – Aga, Ijomu and Isele, held at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu.
IKODASS during the interactive meeting also announced some reforms in the policies of the association to give the Fanti teams more recognition.
Acknowledging their dedication towards the success of the maiden edition, awards of appreciation were presented to the leadership of the groups, namely; Ijomu Parapo Fanti Carnival Group – Comrade Akinfolarin Ayanilowo, Chairman Ijomu Parapo; Captain Ibrahim Ajibade lawal, and Captain Ijomu Parapo; Comrade Ishau Oriyomi Onibudo , Treasurer Ijomu Parapo.
Also honoured were Isele Alaro United Fanti Carnival Group – Mr Sulaimon Olalekan Dalemo-Sanda, Chairman Isele Alaro United; Alhaji Yusuf Sholesi, Marshal Isele Alaro United and Alhaji Raji Olamilekan Kareem, Committee Member Isele Alaro United while for the Aga Parapo Fanti Carnival Group, those honoured were Alhaji Jamiu Odutayo Inabiri, Chairman Aga Parapo; Hon.Prince Ibrahim, A. O. Akanni, General Secretary Aga Parapo and Mrs. Aladejobi Ifetayo Felicia, Woman Leader Aga Parapo.
Speaking, Alhaji Kolawole Fatai, commended the leadership and members of the three Fanti Groups , stating that last year’s edition was a pilot exercise and assuring them of necessary support to stage a better edition this year.
He assured representatives across the three quarters of not only support towards the carnival but also benefits.
Announcing that the Fanti carnival will hold at the Ikorodu Town Hall for this year, the IKODASS Chairman also stated that the Coordinator of the Fanti Carnival will automatically become his Special Adviser, inclusion of the representatives of the three quarters in the IKODASS excos and GCE, WAEC and bursary slots for the quarters among others.
“The Town Hall has been approved as the venue for this year’s Fanti Carnival in Ikorodu, and Alayeluwa has also given his approval for us to use it. That is one of the reasons I advised that an official account should be opened, so that our activities and finances can be properly organised and managed.
“Regarding our scholarship programme in Ikorodu, I have already discussed it with the Executive Committee, but we have not yet announced the exact allocation for Aga, Isele and Ijomu.
“Our target this year is to provide scholarships for 200 beneficiaries. We are giving JAMB slots to each of the quarters. In addition to JAMB, we also want to include GCE support for candidates from the three quarters as part of the programme.”
He furthered:
“We also agreed that Aga, Ijomu, and Isele should nominate one representative each to serve on the Executive Committee for a period of two years. That person will represent the interests of their community, similar to the representative structure used by youth organisations. This arrangement will become our standard practice going forward.
“In addition, I will appoint the Coordinator of the Fanti Carnival as my Special Adviser for Fanti and automatically become part of the Executive Committee. Each community will also have a coordinator or representative who will work directly with the committee to ensure proper communication and participation.”
The IKODASS Chairman, emphasising more on benefits for the groups, also said that IKODASS is putting in place an insurance scheme for the IKODASS excos to benefit from.
“Everything we are doing is designed to benefit the people. We have dedicated our time and left the comfort of our homes to work on these initiatives because we believe they will have a positive impact on the community.
“One of the major programmes we are introducing is an insurance scheme. Under this initiative, members will have access to healthcare support. If someone develops malaria or experiences other health challenges, they will be able to visit designated hospitals under the insurance coverage.
“Furthermore, if anything unfortunate happens to any member of the Executive Committee, that person will be covered by the insurance scheme. This is one of the practical ways we are ensuring that people benefit directly from the work we are doing.”
He clarified that the insurance scheme is only for executives of IKODASS during the time of serving in that capacity.
Alhaji Fatai also appealed to the representatives of the three quarters to always seek information on any issue that is not clear to them rather than going around to make accusations.
The Initiator and Coordinator of the Fanti, Comrade Lekan Pelumi (Rado), also speaking, said that the maiden edition of the Fanti Carnival took Ikorodu to the world and informed IKODASS and representatives of the three quarters that the Fanti committee’s report for this year’s edition is ready.
While stating that the greater objective of the Fanti is to make it an international carnival, Rado also revealed that arrangements have been made to invite prominent national personalities, international dignitaries, cultural enthusiasts, and foreign tourists to witness this year’s Fanti in Ikorodu.
To deepen grassroots participation, the carnival initiator disclosed that each of the indigenous quarters would now be divided into seven or eight operational zones, making mobilisation easier and ensuring that every section of the quarters is actively involved in planning and participation.
He also announced that IKODASS has approved a take-off fund to be released through the Fanti Committee to support each quarter as preparations commence, describing the gesture as another demonstration of the association’s commitment to the success of the festival.
Rado called on Ikorodu residents both home and in diaspora to support the initiative.
