By Esther Onyegbula

The traditional ruler of Ajido Kingdom in Badagry, Aholu Saheed Adamson, on Thursday urged youths in the kingdom to be cultural ambassadors of the land.

Adamson gave the advice during the Grand Finale of the Ajido Panka Exhibition 2024/2025, organized by the Ajido Youth Forum in the kingdom.

According to the traditional ruler, youths in Ajido should strive to remain cultured, uphold their language, and maintain discipline.

“The youths and everyone in the community should see themselves as brothers and sisters. There shouldn’t be any discord; instead, they should promote our culture and community.

“They should ensure that things are done the right way. People should see us as a disciplined community that promotes its culture and heritage.

“One thing I want to stress again is the importance of hard work, because idle hands are the devil’s workshop,” he said.

Adamson also reminisced about the traditions of their forefathers.

“When our forefathers in the olden days wanted to visit their friends in the evening, they dressed casually by draping clothes over their shoulders or wrapping them around their waists.

“Now the youths are reviving this tradition and exhibiting the culture of Panka.

“They want to bring back memories of how things were done in the old days. Modernization is eroding our culture and reducing our traditions.

“These youths are urging us to go back to our roots, and that is what they are showcasing,” he said.

The Asiwaju of Ajido Kingdom, Chief Adeyinka Amosu, highlighted the significance of the Panka Exhibition.

“The Panka Exhibition is another way of highlighting different quarters and sectors of Ajido Kingdom, along with the foods peculiar to them.

“These youths want to showcase to the world how our forefathers dressed, even though they didn’t attach any festival or exhibition to it back then.

“We thank the youth president and his team for their dedication. It shows there is a future for Ajido,” he said.

Amosu also noted the unity among the youths, adding, “We are holding ourselves together as one. You can see a lot of young ones who are passionate about what they are doing, even during the planning of the dressing.”

The Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Layode, commended the youths of Ajido for organizing 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 them to benefit from his policies.

The immediate past lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, said the time would soon come for the people of Badagry to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

He also praised the traditional rulers and youths for revisiting the Panka culture.

The Chairman of the ceremony, Mr. Akintoye Semako, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural traditions.

“Our sacred duty to honor, preserve, and promote these traditions forms the bedrock upon which our community stands.

“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, the President of the Ajido Youth Forum, Mr. Hosea Ajoseh, explained the purpose of the Ajido Panka Exhibition.

“The purpose of the Ajido Panka Exhibition is to celebrate one of the vibrant traditions that define our community.

“When the idea of hosting the second edition came up, it was widely accepted as a platform to showcase the rich culture of the Ajido people.

“Alongside the Panka Exhibition, there are many other events, games, and displays.

“We have come together today to share, learn, and enjoy the myriad cultural expressions that enrich our lives.

“The program is designed to inspire, entertain, and instill pride in our cultural heritage, and we will not disappoint,” he said:

The ten quarters representing Ajido Kingdom danced around the venue, showcasing their unique heritage to the attendees.

Traditional rulers from other communities in Badagry, chiefs, dignitaries, and people from all walks of life graced the event.