The Executive Chairman of Ikosi Isheri Local Council Development Area, Mayoress Samiat Abolanle Bada Host Ikosi Isheri Magodo Cultural Festival 2021 in Style.
The 2nd edition of the Annual Ikosi-Isheri Magodo Cultural Festival was organised by the LCDA in partnership with Consumers Top brands in partnership with with the theme: “Our Unity, Our Strength” at Center for Management Development , Magodo, Lagos.
Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has commended the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area for organising a cultural festival, saying that any society that promotes its cultural heritage will witness rapid development.
“This kind of cultural festival is an encourageable platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the various people residing in the LCDA.
“We commend the council chairman, Mrs Samiat Bada, for this beautiful cultural festival, because it showcased the richness of various ethnic groups in the society.
“Also, the importance of culture in any society cannot be over emphasised as it defines values, religion, ethics and way of life of the people.
“Any society that promotes the cultural heritage of its people will definitely witness rapid development in all areas,” she said.
According to Sanwo-Olu, “constant showcasing of diverse culture would promote peace and tranquility in the society, especially at the recent threat to peace and unity in the country.
She added that this kind of cultural festival should be encouraged often as it is in line with Lagos State vision of promoting peace and tranquility through tourism.
In his remarks, Mr Saanu Solomon, the Special Adviser on Tourism, Art and Culture to Governor Sanwo-Olu, advised the residents to always embrace their culture.
“We cannot continue promoting other cultural values and expect development, we must always showcase our own culture to the whole world for them to know how rich our culture is,” he said.
The special adviser, however, commended Mayoress Samiat for organising first of its kinds among the Local Governments, Lcdas ” Ikosi-Isheri Magodo cultural festival, organised to promote unity among the residents.
In her remarks, Bada thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for the support and encouragement given to ensure that the festival came to reality.
“The Ikosi-Isheri Magodo cultural festival celebration was born out of the desire of the LCDA to promote tourism in line with the state government’s developmental agenda of which entertainment and tourism are integral parts.
“One of the major focuses of our governor is that every development from the state starts from the grassroots.
“I believe the promotion of our cultural heritage will bring an excellent traffic for tourism promotion in Lagos state and in the country as a whole,” she said.
The council chairman added that the festival began in 2019 with over 3,000 participants from different parts of the country.
According to her, the 2020 festival was disrupted as a result of COVID-19.
The two days event featured roadshow carnival, pageantry, hundreds of beautifully dressed dancers, cultural dance troupes with masquerade, A-list Hip Hop, Afro Juju and Fuji artist, Shina Peter, Tunji Sotimirin , and Abass Akande.
The event was anchored by top celebrity such as Koffi Ayinde Nuel, Saheed Balogun, Yinka Davies among others.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by Anike Adekanye, the Permanent Secretary District 2, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy title, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Ekiti Commissioner for Culture and tourist,Prof. Rasak Ojo Bakare graced the event
Also, Former member of House of Representatives, Dayo Alebiosu, Lawmaker representing Kosofe Constituency 2, Femi Saheed, Member of Lagos Audit Board Commission, Kafilat Ogbara, Abiodun Akhigbe, Kosofe Chairmanship aspirant, Lanre carew.
Agboyi Ketu Lcda Chairman, Mayor Dele Oshinowo and Shomolu Local Government Chairman, Abdul Hamed Salawu Dullar, All Progressives Congress Chieftain Omoba Muyiwa Sosanya, Pa S. A Oyedele, and Abiodun Salami
Oba Samuel Alamu Oloyede, Onikosi of Ikosi Kingdom and Oba Fatai Ayinla Aileru, Shangisha of Shangisha, traditional leaders and host of other guests.