On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Ikorodu Division Youth Initiative (IDYI) embarked on an extraordinary journey, "Tour to the Source." This monumental tour brought together youths from across the Ikorodu division to explore the rich history and cultural heritage of Ijede LCDA.

Exploring Ikorodu Ultra-Modern Townhall

The tour commenced at the iconic Ikorodu Ultra-Modern Townhall, where renowned tourist and publisher of Impact Newspaper, Mr. Kunle Adelabu, our tour guide for the day, shared insightful knowledge about the townhall's magnificent architecture and facilities, including the Ikorodu Division Hall of Fame, Olutusen Main Hall, Alogba E-Library, and a host of others.

Egbin Kingdom: We are not Done Yet!

Although the group couldn't meet with the Obateru of Egbin, HRM (Oba) Adeoriyomi Oyebo, or access the Egbin Thermal Station due to communication challenges, we still saw the kingdom's serenity and beauty.

Unravelling Ijede's Hidden History

In Ijede, the group was warmly received by the Ijede Students' Union leadership led by the Vice President, Comrade Ekeolere Rodiat Taiwo. It was a revealing moment for all as we explored the first palace of the Oloja of Ijede, lying in its sorry state opposite the abode of the current Odofin of Ijede Kingdom.

At the Odoro River, we learned some facts and mysteries about the river, one of the three recognized tourist destinations in the Ikorodu Division.

To many, the Odoro River and the overflowing lagoon were all we could find in Ijede, until we were blown away by the fact that the city once housed the foremost federal government printing hubs, known as Pacific (PPNL), now non-functional. A printing firm that printed sensitive materials for the federal government of Nigeria in the 90s.

We also got to know shockingly that the Ijede LCDA has a recreational center located in Ipakan, a resettlement center between the cities of Ijede and Egbin. It was more shocking that the recreational center, which was meant to be an edifice, was never handed over to the community due to its destruction by heavy wind and also due to an ownership dispute among the bordering communities.

Oshodi Arts Gallery: A Treasure Trove in Ikorodu

The tour concluded at the breathtaking Oshodi Arts Gallery, boasting over 20,000 art pieces, including paintings, beadworks, sculptures, metal works, and many more.

A Call to Action

We urge stakeholders to prioritize the preservation and development of our historical and cultural heritage, resolving ownership disputes, and protecting these valuable assets for future generations

Gratitude

We extend our gratitude to the management of the Ikorodu Ultra-modern Townhall, the Leadership of the Ikorodu Division Resource and Development Group, the Ijede Students' Union, the National Association of Ikorodu Division Students, the Igbogbo Students' Union, the Ikorodu Students Association, the Ikorodu North Students Union, the Imota Students Union, the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State Youth Parliament, and fellow youths who took out time to explore our source.