21/08/2026
๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฌ๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The maiden joint Isese Day celebration organised by the Badagry West Local Council Development Area on Friday took a spectacular turn when a Zangbeto masquerade stunned the audience with a dramatic motorcycle display.
The colourful performance was one of the major highlights of the celebration, which brought together traditional rulers, cultural custodians, community leaders, council officials, security agencies and residents to celebrate indigenous heritage, promote religious tolerance and strengthen grassroots security.
Zangbeto, the traditional security masquerades of the Ogu people, thrilled the gathering with a series of highly coordinated performances before one of the masquerades remarkably rode a motorcycle while fully covered in its costume, drawing loud cheers and admiration from the audience.
The celebration was held under the leadership of the Executive Chairman of Badagry West LCDA, Hon. Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren, who described Isese as an important platform for preserving the history, traditions and values of the people and transmitting them to younger generations.
Represented by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Princess Sesi Ogungbe, the chairman welcomed traditional rulers, including the Alapa of Apa Egun-Awori Kingdom and the Aholu of Kweme Kingdom, as well as community leaders and other guests.
A major focus of the event was grassroots security. The council presented security materials, including cutlasses, torchlights and whistles, to Zangans, the heads of Zangbeto groups across Badagry West, to support their night patrols, signalling and community protection efforts.
Yemaren described Zangbeto as an ancient indigenous security system that has helped protect communities, stressing that the support was designed to strengthen traditional security structures while complementing the efforts of formal security agencies.
The Divisional Police Officer, Seme, CSP Edun Olusegun, commended the traditional security groups for their contributions to peace and security but cautioned them against jungle justice. He urged them to always involve the police in matters requiring investigation and formal intervention.
The security materials were presented to Zangan Daho, Chief Aholuye Benerd, the head of all Zangbeto groups in Badagry West, alongside other Zangan members. In his response, Chief Benerd thanked the council chairman and organisers, while praying for continued peace, progress and prosperity in the area.
The Supervisor for Tourism, Art and Culture, Mrs. Denagan Sesi, said the celebration provided an important platform for residents to showcase and preserve their indigenous heritage. The Special Adviser on Tourism, Art and Culture, Chief Solomon Zosu, also commended Yemaren for promoting religious tolerance and maintaining an inclusive administration despite his personal religious background.
Zosu further highlighted the tourism potential of Badagry West, pointing to heritage sites and attractions such as the Odo Ogbe River, the historical European settlement and the first post office in Nigeria at Apa. He called for greater investment in preserving and promoting the area's cultural assets.
The celebration also featured prayers and traditional rites by Kori worshippers and the Chief Ajana Oro Didi of Apa Kingdom, who prayed for peace, protection, good health and prosperity for Nigeria, Lagos State and Badagry West under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Chairman Yemaren.
Traditional rulers and community representatives, including High Chief Bankole Seyi and High Chief Togan of Kweme, called for unity and peaceful coexistence among Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers.
The event was attended by the Council's political and administrative officials, traditional leaders, security personnel and other dignitaries.
The celebration ended with a vote of thanks by Mrs. Osumare Omolaja of the Tourism Department, while Zangan Daho, Chief Aholuye Benerd, offered the closing prayer.
Beyond the spectacular motorcycle display, the maiden joint Isese Day celebration underscored Badagry West LCDA's commitment to preserving indigenous culture, promoting religious tolerance, strengthening community security and unlocking the area's rich tourism potential.
Photo Credit: Badagry Parrot News
