The Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade has called on the traditional institutions as well as the people of Ikorodu division to painstakingly research into, exploit and display the various cultures and traditions of the various towns in the area, which showcase the immense tourism potentials of Ikorodu and strengthen the unique position of the division as a very important part of the centre of excellence.
He made this call at the weekend, while briefing royal fathers in Ikorodu division on preparations for the maiden edition of Asa carnival.
He revealed that working with an organisation, the Ikorodu Rebirth Foundation (IREP), he is determined to support the promotion of the Asa masquerade as a symbol of the division’s unity as well as a veritable tourists attraction in the mould of the popular Eyo masquerade. Describing Asa as an “attractive and constructive cultural heritage”, Agunbiade said, Ikorodu division boasts of a lot of cultural heritages waiting to be tapped into.
“We have gone round the division, looking for the various cultural and traditional heritages of our great division that we can also promote the way Eyo is being promoted. We have found the Asa and we intend to start with the unveiling of its statue and hosting a carnival to present ti to the world as a potential tourist attraction,” he said.
While thanking the traditional institutions in the division for their support for the project, Agunbiade also appreciated the state government for its promptness in granting approvals for the location where the statue is to be erected along Ikorodu road. He called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to be prepared to be part of the planned Asa carnival later in the year.