Ilajes in Lagos to mark day in weeklong activities

The Ilajes, under the umbrella body of Egbe Omo Ilaje, Lagos State chapter, is holding the maiden edition of Ilaje Day celebration in Lagos on November 5 to showcase the culture of the about 4.5 million Ilaje indigenes living mostly in the riverine parts of Lagos.

Egbe Omo Ilaje is the apex socio-cultural organization of the Ilaje nation founded in 1930 at Ebute-Meta in response to some of the hard-line postures of the colonial rulers and repressive activities of other ethnic tribes in the Lagos colony.

Unveiling plans for the celebration in Ori-Oke Alala Church auditorium, Makoko, Lagos, chairman of the group’s Lagos Council, Comrade Bode Thomas Ojabogun, said: ”There will be an awareness procession in Ilaje communities across the state on November 5, while on November 7, there will be a galaxy of displays by llaje artistes at the Ori-Oke Alala Church auditorium and on November 9, it will be a Boat Regatta display at Majidun riverbank in Ikorodu. The grand finale holds on November 10 at MS Gymnasium Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

On his part, president of Egbe Omo Ilaje, Raphael Irawonu Iwamitigha, said “what makes us unique is our terrain where we initially settled when our forefather left Ile-Ife to settle at present Ilaje local government in Ondo State. Also, our forefathers were among the first four settlers in Lagos and because of our occupation (fishing), we settle predominantly along the coasts and we are deeply rooted in Cherubim and Seraphim. Biblically, Jesus started his ministry by the seaside and that seaside can only be found in Ilaje land.”