The Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Mayoress Samiat Abolanle Bada, urged the residents of Lagos State to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for President 2023, re-elect Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat for second terms.

She disclosed this while delivering her speech at the Ikosi-Isheri Ketu Magodo Annual Cultural Carnival 2022 edition, held at the cmd events centre, Magodo on September 30th, 2022.

She noted that those in attendance will testify that their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is bringing dividends of democracy to the masses at the local, state and federal levels.

While speaking on the theme of this year’s edition: OUR CULTURE, NOT OUR RELIGION, she said that as Nigerians and Africans, we have manifold cultures, some of which are intertwined with religion across the diverse tribes and ethnics in our country and continent.

In her words, “Our religious differences should not debar us from celebrating our lofty culture and traditions.

“All over the world, cultures are being celebrated not only because it unites and educates us, but because it’s a better way of celebrating our differences, as well as our common interests. We in Ikosi-isheri LCDA are proud to say that we are one Nigerian nation, living in peace and harmony; we are united in our diversity!”

According to her “the 2-day event gives us a better opportunity to celebrate our nation’s 62nd Independence Anniversary in style, as seen during the cultural parade we had earlier this morning from the Council Secretariat down to this venue.

“You would have witnessed carnival floats and pageantry of various cultures, and in addition to that, I am assuring you of maximum fun here today and tomorrow as we will be having loads of outstanding creative performers from various fields of display and socio-cultural groups such as Fuji Maestro – Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal K1 de Ultimate, Sir Shina Peters, Obesere Omorapala, Pasuma, Qdot, Saheed Balogun, Koffi, MC Mallam Audu, Bella Shmurda, OT, SATO Dancers (from Badagry), Olaijo Art & Gallery (Ibadan), Ewi and several upcoming artistes to entertain us.”

She stated that as a responsible and proactive Government, their administration has decided to use this cultural carnival characterized by entertainment and tourism to enunciate the importance of our forgotten traditions, promote unity irrespective of our religious and ethnic differences, encourage investors to come and establish in Ikosi-isheri LCDA, and to promote the cultures and colors of various ethnic groups and communities in Ikosi-isheri LCDA, Lagos State, and Nigeria at large.

She further stated her campaign promises were kept, which were roads and infrastructure, education and youth empowerment, social welfare and tourism, and health and the environment.

She also urged the people of Lagos State to vote for Senator Adetokunbo Mukhail Abiru as Senator representing Lagos-East Senatorial District, Hon. Kafilat Adetola Ogbara as Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Kosofe Constituency, and Hon. Femi Saheed for LAHA Kosofe Constituency II for a greater Lagos State and a better Nigeria.

The First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, commended the Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada, for initiating and sustaining the Ikosi-Isheri Cultural Carnival, which has now become an annual festival that promotes peaceful co-existence and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the people of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

She said it is commendable that this important festival has not only been sustained but also expanded to become bigger, better, and bolder.

In his words, “Festivals, such as today’s event, are usually instrumental in laying a solid foundation for unity, good neighborliness, and peaceful co-existence among the diverse ethnic groups in any given society.

“A cultural festival is also a veritable avenue to celebrate the diverse cultures and economic endeavors of the various socio-cultural groups within a defined location or jurisdiction.”

She noted that the Ikosi-Isheri/Ketu-Magodo Cultural Carnival has contributed in a big and outstanding fashion to setting the tone for tranquility and development being witnessed in the LCDA.

She stated that it is in convergence with the objective of the administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to uphold the cultural heritage of Lagos and Lagosians in line with the THEMES Agenda for a greater Lagos of our dreams.

She disclosed that we must continue to encourage initiatives such as this cultural festival to serve as a platform to galvanize the people for good causes, promote unity in the face of threats to national cohesion, and enhance the economic prosperity of the people.

She also urged politicians and the general public to follow the rules of engagement and avoid any action that could jeopardize the peace in Lagos State as the election campaign gets underway.

She admonished the populace in attendance to support the Lagos State Government towards sustaining the peaceful co-existence that the state has always experienced.