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Ikale celebrates cultural day with fanfare

By Eniola Daniel
01 October 2017   |   3:35 am
The yearly Ikale Cultural Day celebration, organised by Ikale Development Union (IDU), Lagos branch, was held in Ikeja, Lagos, amidst fanfare, as dignitaries from all walks of life graced the occasion.

Ikale in celebratory mood during their day

The yearly Ikale Cultural Day celebration, organised by Ikale Development Union (IDU), Lagos branch, was held in Ikeja, Lagos, amidst fanfare, as dignitaries from all walks of life graced the occasion. Apart from celebrating culture, the event served as avenue for the indigenes to take stock of issues affecting their communities and to chart a way forward.

While speaking with The Guardian, president of the union, Prince Joseph Odogbo, said: “We are here to celebrate culture, talk about issues affecting our communities and chart a way forward. We have come to the realisation that children born outside Ikale communities do not understand our language or culture. For our heritage not to go into extinction, there is need to ponder on what we have not been doing right.”

He called on every Ikale family to promote Ikale culture, teach it to their children and be proud of it.

On the area not having industries, regular power supply and lack of government’s presence, Odogbo said everything should not be left for government, adding, “We are challenging our children, who are well-to-do to make their existence known to their people. Establishing industries in Lagos and other parts of the country can only bring development to Lagos and where the industries are situated and never to Ikale communities. You buy land to build in Lagos, while in Ikale you might have free land or pay a token to do whatever you want to build.

“There is no power supply in Ikale over time and we have taken the issue to government and authorities concerned and they have promised to restore it and once that is done, the next step is to encourage our children to come home and establish industries. We have also set up a committee to monitor the resuscitation of oil palm production. This will create jobs, grow grassroots economy and encourage our people to stay at home and develop their communities.”

Former Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Akeremale, commended organisers of the festival, and said man must not forget his culture. He restated the importance of embracing “those virtues that are good in our culture and do away with the vices.”

The highpoint of the event was the posthumous award given to the late Pa Akinfosile of Igbotako, who contributed immensely to the development of Ikale people. Guests that graced the occasion included the Olori of Abodi, Grace Faduyile, Mr. Martins Oloja of The Guardian, HOD, Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Dr. Bolu Folayan, representatives of Ahaba of Ajagba, Oba Thomas Asesayo and Andrew Olibamayo.

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