Pa. Lateef Jakande, Others, Honoured at Abesan Festival, 2015

From left to right, Mr. Goodluck James, President, Abesan Estate Residents youths Association, AERYA, Chairman of Executive Secretaries in Lagos State, Hon. Kolade Alabi, Winner of Beauty Pageant, Miss Azeezat Azeez, Executive Secretary of Mosan Okunola LCDA, Hon. Opeyemi Adunni Akindele and representative of CeeWay Group, Mr. Emmanuel Osho at the Award and Gala Night  for Abesan Festival, 2015 on 23rd December, 2015.

Pa. Lateef Kayode Jakande, the first executive Governor of Lagos State and other dignitaries were honoured at the maiden edition of Abesan Festival, a week-long program organized by the Youth of Abesan and supported by individuals and corporate bodies with the major partner being the government and people of Mosan Okunola LCDA.

Abesan Estate Residents Youths Association, AERYA in its commitment to providing and sustaining the social integration enshrined amongst residents of Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, staged an unprecedented celebration of rich cultural and social virtues of residents of the estate Tagged Abesan Festival 2015.The initiative is aimed at fostering a lasting unity amongst residents, creating avenue for community developments, engender youth’s empowerment as well as critically and positively addressing environmental challenges confronting residents of the estate while thriving in an ambience of entertainment and leisure.

The Festival which recorded no violence was held between 18^th and 24^th of December, 2015 at different locations in Abesan Estate, Alimosho, Lagos.

 The festival kicked off with Debate and Quiz competitions for secondary schools in and around Abesan on 7^th of December 2015 at the AMEN centre in Abesan Estate. The Festival was declared open same day by the Executive Secretary of Mosan Okunola LCDA, Hon. Opeyemi Adunni Akindele who herself is a major stakeholder and a resident of Abesan. Other events that took place during the festival include Inter-provincial Competitions, some of which are Football, Table tennis, Snooker, Chess, Scrabble, Ayo olopon, Ludo, and Draught which held on Sunday 20^th December 2015”. Free medical check-ups were organized by the society for family health from the 18^th to 24^th of December.

Others major events include Children’s funfair held on the 19^th of December at the Abesan Mini Stadium with well over 5,000 kids and their parents in attendance and Beauty pageant and Gala/Awards Night held on the 23^rd of December 2015 at the Multi Joy hall Abesan. The event attracted eminent personalities from Lagos state and beyond. Chiefly among them is first Executive Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the Executive Secretary Mosan Okunola LCDA, Hon. Adunni Opeyemi Akindele, the Executive Secretary Shomolu LCDA and the chairman of Executive Secretaries in Lagos State, Hon. Kolade Alabi,  Representatives of CWAY, MTN Nigeria, May & Baker and many others.

A major highlight of the Gala/Awards Nite was the presentation of awards and recognition to deserving awardees who have contributed immensely to the growth of Abesan and the growth of the Youths in general. The awardees include the first executive governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande who was represented by Hon. Gbadamosi S. Dimeji. Others are Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, YAYI, Hon Bisi Yusuf , Executive Secretary of Mosan Okunola LCDA, Hon. Adunni Opeyemi Akindele, Executive Secretary of Shomolu LCDA, Hon. Kolade Alabi, Chairman Fine Colour Printers Limited, Ogbuefi C.J Okuagu , Mr. Egbinade Adeola, C.E.O Romeo Suites and Apartment, Mr. Rotimi Turton, a Trustee of AERYA, CWAY Group and Ipaja Police Divisional Headquarters, Alagolo, Ipaja

The Grand finale held on the 24^th December was characterized by a musical concert to round off the festival. The occasion was graced by top rated Fuji artiste, Dr. Saheed Osupa, Obanla 1 and various Hip Hop Artistes. The Festival will be a yearly event according to the President of AERYA, Mr. Goodluck James. This year’s edition was violence-free and widely attended by people home and abroad. The next in its series will come up December 2016.