The Traditional Ruler of Ajido Kingdom in Badagry, Aholu Saheed Adamson, on Friday urged youths in the kingdom to be its cultural ambassadors.
Adamson gave the advice during the Grand Finale of the Ajido Panka Exhibition 2024/2025 organised by the Ajido Youths Forum.
According to the traditional ruler, youths in Ajido should try as much as possible to be cultured in its language and also disciplined.
“The youths and everyone in the community should see themselves as brothers and sisters. There shouldn’t be any rank, rather they should promote our culture and community.
“They should make sure that things are done the way it should be, so that people will see us as disciplined people and as a community that promotes its culture and heritage.
“One thing I want to stress here again is that you should be hardworking because an idle hand is the devil’s workshop,” he said.
Adamson noted that in the olden days when their forefathers wanted to visit friends in the evening, they dressed casually by hanging clothes on their shoulders or wrapped it on their bottoms.
“Now, the youths are bringing it up again by exhibiting the culture of Panka.
“They want to bring back memories; memories of how things are done in the past. The present modernisation that you are talking about is stealing our culture, it is reducing our tradition.
“These youths are telling us to go back to our roots and that is what they are showcasing,” he said.
Chief Adeyinka Amosu, the Asiwaju of Ajido Kingdom, said that the Panka exhibition was another way of showcasing foods peculiar to different quarters and sectors of Ajido Kingdom.
“The fact remains that these youths want to showcase to the world how our forefathers dressed in the past, though they did not attach any festival or exhibition to it at that time.
”We thank the youth president and his team for putting their energy into this, it means there is a future for Ajido.
“We are holding ourselves as one. You can see a lot of our young ones contributed their views in what they are doing, even when they were planning the dressing,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Ibrahim Layode, the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, commended the youths in Ajido land for organising the exhibition.
Layode urged the people of Badagry and Lagos to be patient with the administration of President Bola Tinubu, adding that the time had come for people to enjoy some of his policies.
The immediate past lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Babatunde Hunpe in a group photograph with his people.
The immediate past Lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Babatunde Hunpe, said that the time would soon come for the people of Badagry to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He commended the traditional rulers and youths for revisiting the Panka culture.
Mr Akintoye Semako, the Chairman of the ceremony, said the sacred duty to honour, preserve and promote these traditions are the bedrock upon which the community stood.
“Our culture is an ageless treasure, handed down through generations and woven into the very fabric of our identity.
“Our heritage is not merely a reflection of the past, but a living, breathing force that shapes our present and guides our future,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Hosea Ajoseh, the President, Ajido Youth Forum, said the purpose of the Ajido Panka Exhibition was to celebrate one of the vibrant traditions that made up the community.
“When the idea of hosting the second edition came up, it was met with acceptance as this platform is one that showcases the rich culture of the Alda people.
“Alongside the Panka Exhibition, there are many other events, games and items on exhibition.
“We have come together today to share, learn, and enjoy the myriad of cultural expressions that enrich our lives.
“The programme is designed to inspire, entertain and fill you with pride in our cultural heritage, and we will not disappoint,” the youth president said.
Tthe 10 quarters that represented Ajido Kingdom danced round the venue to showcase their unique heritage to the people.
Also traditional rulers from communities in Badagry, chiefs, people from all walks of life and important personalities attended the event.