Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has commended the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association for awarding educational scholarships to 79 indigent and non-indigent students of the Community.
The Deputy Governor gave the commendation on Saturday, at the Grand Finale of the 2024 Ikorodu Oga Day Celebration held at the Ayangburen Palace Ground, Ikorodu.
Dr. Hamzat noted that supporting the education of the young ones is indeed the most important part of impacting their future, as it provides them with essential life skills, fosters critical thinking, and encourages them to explore their curiosity.
While emphasising the importance of education to any nation, as it fosters development, growth, and critical thinking, the deputy governor called for the expansion of the scholarship to reach more students.
In his words, “I must commend the Ikorodu Oga Development Association for coming together to award scholarships to 79 indigent and non-indigent students of the Ikorodu community. I am very happy that Ikorodu Oga came together to do this. For me, this is most important to the future of our children. I want you to please expand it because this is our children and they are our future”.
Speaking further, Hamzat stated that no child in Lagos should be unable to have access to quality education, reiterating that the government, communities, and individuals should do whatever they can to enlarge access to quality education within the state.
“So, whatever you need to do, please call all of us to assist in doing it. Let us enlarge the scholarship programme because it is not just for Ikorodu indigenes, but everybody. So we continue to be with you to assist our children”, he said.
While speaking on the various developments and growth the Ikorodu community has experienced in the past years, Dr. Hamzat said that Ikorodu is a town that welcomes everybody, which is why it is prosperous, and its indigenous people have continued to develop the community.
He noted that Ikorodu as a kingdom takes a special place in the heart of the state government, urging the people to come together to support the King and government for a continued prosperous Lagos.
In his remarks, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Land, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi said that the festival is a testament to the community’s commitment to continue to promote culture and showcase the heritage of the Ikorodu community.
The Kabieyesi added that promoting Ikorodu culture and heritage is paramount to the development and progress of the community, which can only be done through the collaboration of both the government and the indigent of Ikorodu.
He, therefore, called the state government for further infrastructure development in the area.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman, Ikorodu Oga Development Association, Mr. Rotimi Akeem Erogbogbo stated that the festival is not just about culture, it is about celebrating the progress the town has made and the height it aims to reach.
Erogbogbo added, “This festival celebrates more than our culture. It honours our heritage, values, and commitment to making Ikorodo a centre for selfless service and hard work”.
He stressed that the town’s journey invites every indigent to think about what they have left behind, time in transit, and final destination, noting that what they left behind is their history, the present is their transit, while the future is their goal.
The Chairman said that the Ikorodu community does not lack ideas, but lacks money to execute laudable projects for the growth of the people and the community. He also called on all sons, daughters, and lovers of Ikorodu to come to the aid of IKODASS by donating generously to their projects.
