[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he 2023 Lawanson Day in Surulere Lagos Nigeria was a day for celebrating the over 400 years old heritage and culture in Lawanson, Surulere Lagos. It took place at the Obele Kolade Lawanson on the 29th of April, 2023.
The event hosted by Hon. Gbolahan Lawanson, Oludare Lawanson, Baale-elect of the Obele Kolade Lawanson, and Ajibola Lawanson had the great people of the Lawanson community prepared joyfully for the day that you could see the joy and happiness radiating around the the the people.
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Hon. Gbolahan Lawanson and Oludare Lawanson are the two prominent sons of late Chief AO Lawanson, while Ajibola Lawanson the Baale-elect is Chief AO Lawanson’s first grandson.
The excitement was incomparable as people trooped in bantering on the activities of the day, some looked forward to enriching their tastebud with the delicacies that would be available to the satisfaction of their stomachs while others looked forward to seeing their loved ones perform, most just wanted to enjoy the show. It was never a boring moment during the Lawanson day which is filled with the love of the land and their cultural heritage which had all the tribal heals of the different ethnic groups in attendance.
As the day unfolded, drums were organized, tents were raised up to accommodate the guests, tables were labeled to acknowledge the presence of heritage leaders and guests from home and abroad, and people began to fill spaces hoping not to take last so that they can see all the glorious activities and maybe possibly be a part of history as the event unfolds.
Lawanson Day is a well-known cultural day far and beyond. The people looked forward to it every year. According to Hon. Gbolahan Lawanson, it was a day they celebrate their forefathers and their ancient history.
” Lawanson day is a day that cannot be forgotten in a hurry around here and even abroad, the day in essence is a day we celebrate Lawanson forefathers and their ancient history, and we do this to remind us of our heritage” Hon Gbolahan Lawanson explained.
The day activity started with the Master of ceremony welcoming everyone to the joyous gathering and acknowledging the heritage leaders and the chiefs including the special guests of honor from home and abroad who came from different parts of the world to celebrate with the Lawansons.
According to the patron of the day, Mr. Fola Tinubu who is also a very top APC dignitary, he admitted that Lawanson Day can never be forgotten as it has always been like that since the days of the forefathers.
“Lawanson day, our heritage, our pride, may we never forget our forefathers who started and made this community what it is today, the people prayed and made a special panegyric of the land and their forefathers, and you can not but notice the excitement on their faces”.
On that day, one could see the youths of the land in groups representing the community and performing the native songs whilst dancing to the rhythm in whites, other groups in African print, another group in the Hausa, Ibo, and Yoruba traditional wear and other attires strangers among them have not seen before. It was indeed a sight to behold and a day to remember.
A special African print was worn by hundreds of guest present which everyone sewed in different style, not to talk of the children, our leaders of tomorrow who came out in colors, one could see the children in groups of blue, yellow, green, red, pink. Behold! The joy in their faces, your heart would melt just seeing them.
Never forgetting the traditional masquerades in glorious attire of red, green, and blue danced to their heart content as each household representative was panegyrizing them. It was a merry moment for everyone.
The event took to a joyous stage when everyone had to rally the community, some on horses, some in colorful cars, and most walking with satisfaction and fulfillment on their faces. There was so much to eat and drink just like most have foreseen, some people even packed food home. There was enough to go around.
