By IJEOMA POPOOLA

Isoto Community of Lagos State on Saturday defied hours of downpour to celebrate the unity of the various peoples, cultures and religions represented in the community.

The community with 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 aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence.

The event, which featured dances, drumming, singing and other cultural displays, took place at the palace of the community’s traditional ruler (Baale), High Chief Moshood Nosiru.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Isoto is in 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.

The Traditional Ruler, Nosiru, told NAN that he initiated Isoto Community Day celebration in June 2024 as a strategy 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, are residing in this community and living peacefully.

“Also, Christians, Muslims, traditional worshippers and others are living in harmony 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 peaceful coexistence of its peoples for facilitated advancement.

He urged that other communities in Lagos and other states should 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 as well as 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 to develop and position themselves well for leadership positions at all times.

A retired staff 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. (NAN)