The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Engr Kabiru Adewale Shotobi. GCIO recently hosted a delegation from the European Union Development International Forum (EUDIF), a body responsible for the promotion of Africa’s cultural and traditional heritage.
The cultural event which took place at the Ayangburen Palace pavilion had in attendance, Oleg Chirita, Head of program and his partner Diana Hincu who is the Senior Project Manager for EUDIF.
They led a team of other foreign delegates to celebrate the new cultural collaboration with His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa Oba Engr. (Dr.) Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, towards propagating Ikorodu’s rich cultural and traditional heritage.
Abubarka Usman, the Director of Heritage Services, National Commission for Museum and Monument who represented the Director-General of National Commission for Museum and Monument, Olugbile Holloway tated that the overall outlook of the cultural displays resonated deeply and he could feel the originality of the Ikorodu culture, noting that it’s evident, that culture is an integral part of the people.
He said that the LCMPD will provide the expert and technical assistance to facilitate the agreement and growth, spanning across the national borders, while expressing his excitement for the festival playing, terming as a “new experience”
In the same vein, Omogbolahan Ajala, an Architect and Urban Planner who also doubles as a Consultant to Ikorodu community on culture stressed that the event provided innovative, community engagement and international collaboration.
He equally stressed that the event was proof of three 3 years of collaborating with the community and diraspora, noting that the importance of the event was meant to showcase the authentic culture of ikorodu in an international light.
‘This is core culture, history and fact and we have been able to get the EU to witness it themselves’, he said.
Ajala urther disclosed that the delegation were already looking forward to organizing a robost and far reaching event that would further improve the visibility of ikorodu globally, with the hipe that Ikorodu wpuld be become a global culture and tourism destination in no distant future.
The cultural event featured cultural displays, performances by various traditional groups and fashion parades among other presentations.
Some of the dignitaries that graced this event were the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Agric and Asipa of Ikorodu Kingdom, Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, Iyaloja General of Ikorodu Division, Dcns. Busola Isikalu, princess Oyekun, Chairman of Ikorodu Division Project 2025, RT Onafowokan and immediate past IKODASS Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Erogbogbo among others.
