Lagos: The Isoto Community of Lagos State defied hours of downpour on Saturday to celebrate the unity of the various peoples, cultures, and religions represented in the community.
The community, which has a population of over 70,000, disregarded heavy rainfall in Lagos from dawn until around 2.00 p.m. to celebrate the second edition of Isoto Day, which aims to promote peaceful coexistence.
The event featured dances, drumming, singing and other cultural displays at the palace of the community’s traditional ruler (Baale), High Chief Moshood Nosiru.
Isoto is in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Some friends and admirers of the community came from various parts of Lagos in spite of flooded roads to witness the occasion, which also featured masquerade displays.
High Chief Moshood Nosiru (fourth from right) during the celebration of Isoto Community Day in Lagos State.
The Traditional Ruler, Nosiru, told NAN that he initiated the Isoto Community Day celebration in June 2024 to promote and sustain peace and harmonious relationships among the community members.
“Nigerians from various tribes, including Igbo, Urhobo, Hausa, Bini, Fulani, Isoko, Igala, Idoma and Yoruba, live peacefully in this community.
“Also, Christians, Muslims, traditional worshippers and others live harmoniously in this community.
“Peace and unity remain important for the progress of any community or society,” Nosiru stressed.
He added that the celebration would be annual to promote progress in Isoto.
The Chairman of Ifesowapo Community Development Association (CDA) in Isoto, Mr Ibidapo Bankole, said that Nigeria needed the peaceful coexistence of its peoples to facilitate its advancement.
He urged other communities in Lagos and other states to emulate the gesture to deepen peace and unity among Nigerians.
“I appeal to Lagos State Government to improve roads within and around this community to facilitate business activities,” Bankole said.
The Chairman of Iderawole CDA of Isoto, Mr Okedara Israel, told NAN that the community also needed public junior and secondary schools and a primary healthcare centre to improve the lives of its members.
An elder in the community who hails from Delta, Mr Augustine Onoro, said he had been living harmoniously and peacefully in the community with other Nigerians from various ethnic groups.
He praised the traditional ruler for good leadership, describing him as a young man who brought youthful energy and zeal into leadership while listening to valuable advice from elders.
Onoro said that the traditional ruler had shown that the youth could lead well if given the opportunity.
He advised youths always to develop and position themselves well for leadership positions.
A retired staff member of the Local Government Service Commission, Lagos State, Mr Michael Ogunleye, told NAN that Nigerians should accept and love one another irrespective of tribe, religion, and social status.
