The Majority leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Sanai Agunbiade, says the second edition of the revived Asa Cultural Festival being celebrated by people of Ikorodu in Lagos State, will hold on November 2.
Agunbiade made this known at a meeting with the stakeholders on the preparation for the 2nd edition of Asa Cultural Festival on Monday in Ikorodu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Asa Festival is an annual festival observed by indigenes of Ikorodu Town.
Agunbiade, also Founder, Ikorodu Rebirth Project (IREP), an NGO promoting the festival, said that essence of the festival was to propagate and develop the Asa Culture among people of the area.
He urged the communities to embrace Asa traditional festival to showcase their heritage, including dancing styles and attires.
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“This year, we are celebrating Asa, the man on the steel and other Asa, which is the culture, to ensure that we resonate, propagate and develop Asa Culture among the people of Ikorodu.
“This time, we are going outside Lagos State to invite people with similar cultural background from Remo in Ogun to participate in this year’s festival.
“Beyond Nigeria, Asa is also practiced by people in countries like Ireland and Caribbean countries, who traced their roots to Nigeria.
“People without culture have no identity,” Agunbiade, said.
He called on Ikorodu indigenes, both at home and abroad, to participate fully in the festival and make the celebration a memorable one.
The lawmaker said that two musicians, Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma and Qdus, popularly known as “Qdot” are among major artistes that would perform at the Ikorodu Ferry terminal, venue of the Asa festival.
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Agunbiade called on the stakeholders and entire residents of Ikorodu Division, to give their maximum support for the IREP group’s quest of promoting other cultural and traditional values.
He also enjoined residents to patronise the official local fabric to make the festival colourful.
Agunbiade highlighted plans put in place to residents to ensure successful preparations toward the celebration and also get a feedback as inputs for successful outing.
“We have briefed our traditional rulers and elders in the division, and we have decided to inform the people, since you are critical to the success of the festival.
NAN reports that cultural chieftains, representatives of elected Councilors, market men and women, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Community and Cultural Associations, Political parties were all present.
It added that Organisation of Party Entertainers of Nigeria (OPEN), Police, LASTMA, Neighbourhood Watch, Onyabo, LASCOTA, Association of Yoruba Teachers in Ikorodu Division and Asa families among many others were also present. (NAN)
