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Ijaw Cultural Fiesta 2024: Beyond The Cultural Festival [PHOTOS]

Published

2 years ago

January 31, 2024

If it is because of the Awigiri/Owigiri dance, they would have joined any ongoing party in their neighbourhood to get themselves danced and entertained. If it is because of food, they would have prepared it in their houses or got it in the nearest canteen. Little wonder the foremost African writer and one of Nigerian most celebrated authors, the late Chinua Achebe in his book titled ‘Things Fall Apart’ says “A man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to save them from starving. They all have food in their own homes. When we gather together in the moonlit village ground it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so.”

Ijaw is an ethnic nationality with its people spread across the South-South states and Ondo State. But this government-created ‘division’ did not deter them as they came from far and near to celebrate the maiden edition of the Ijaw Culture Fiesta 2024 in Warri, Delta State, thus affirming that the Ijaw speaking people are one nation. No matter what state they are in. Organised by GbaramatuVoice International, the fiesta aimed to showcase the rich Ijaw culture and perhaps even more. Indeed, it was an avenue for the Ijaw speaking people from Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo states to showcase the rich Ijaw culture. Another unique feature of the fiesta is that emerging Ijaw artistes and Ijaw music legends came together to perform on the same stage, a testament to the common goals of the event.The Ijaw Cultural Fiesta 2024 was divided into day and night parts, with traditional dancers, traditional wrestlers among others entertaining guests during the day while Ijaw musicians including music artistes entertained dignitaries at night.

Cultural Troops from the Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari Center for Kalabari Culture Preservation, Rivers State, performing during the fiesta on Tuesday.

Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari Center for Kalabari Culture Preservation, Rivers State, was present to showcase the rich culture of Kalabari-Ijaw. Cultural troupe from Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State was not left out and they thrilled the Ijaw and other ethnic groups who attended the event. The performance by Mr. Right was nostalgic. He fished with his family in a fishing net, a typical daily routine for an Ijaw family. M.C. The Storyteller and his crew brought the Ijaw culture to the fore with their presentation of Ijaw traditional music some refer to as ‘Ijaw war songs,’ and many other groups with diverse Ijaw culture.

Cultural Troops from the Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari Center for Kalabari Culture Preservation, Rivers State, performing during the fiesta on Tuesday.

Speaking on the brain behind the fiesta, organiser of the event, Mr. Jacob Abai, The Publisher/Chief Executive Officer, GbaramatuVoice International, said his major concern is the promotion, preservation of the Ijaw culture and unity among the Ijaw ethnic nationality, hence the event. He added that the cultural fiesta was a deliberate effort to promote the Ijaw culture, and to ensure that the traditions, customs, and practices are passed down to future generations.

A cross section of women in the festival attire at the event in Tuesday.

On the fiesta as a uniting tool, Abai said: “This fiesta is designed to foster unity within the Ijaw nation, providing a space for us to stand together, celebrate our shared identity, and strengthen our bonds. Cultural celebrations have a unique ability to bring people together. This fiesta is designed to foster unity within the Ijaw nation, providing a space for us to stand together, celebrate our shared identity, and strengthen our bonds.”

Cultural troupe displaying the Ijaw culture at the event on Tuesday.

On the fiesta as a talent show, the organisers said: “The Ijaw nation is blessed with an abundance of talent – from musicians and dancers to storytellers and artisans. The Cultural Fiesta is a platform to showcase and celebrate these talents, offering them the recognition they rightfully deserve.”

Notable Ijaw sons and daughters witness edition.

Ijaw skit maker performing at the cultural fiesta.

Ijaw music legend, Barrister S. Smooth performing at the event.

News

Former Delta North senator Peter Nwaoboshi Dies

Published

4 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Editor

Peter Nwaoboshi, the former senator representing Delta north, is dead.

Details of the circumstances surrounding his death were unclear at the time of this report, but according to reports, the former senator died in Abuja on Friday, aged 68.

In a statement, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, expressed “profound grief” over the demise of the former lawmaker.

The governor described his demise as a monumental loss to the state, the Anioma nation, and Nigeria.

In a condolence message signed by Festus Ahon, his chief press secretary (CPS), Oborevwori hailed the late Nwaoboshi as a dedicated son of Delta and a bold champion of Anioma interests, whose legacy in nation-building will endure.

The governor said the late senator’s distinguished tenure in the national assembly, particularly as chairman of the senate committee on Niger Delta affairs.

“Nwaoboshi lived a life of service to his people, his party, and the country, bequeathing a heritage of bravery, loyalty, and commitment to public duty,” Oborevwori said.

“On behalf of the Delta State government and people, I mourn my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi.

“I extend deepest condolences to his family, the Anioma people, members of the All Progressives Congress, and everyone touched by his life.

“May God grant his soul peaceful rest and comfort to all who grieve this irreplaceable loss.”

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Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

Published

19 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Editor

The Indoor Sports Hall in Benin City came alive on Wednesday as the Edo State Sports Commission rolled out the drums to celebrate the first anniversary in office of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele. Management, staff, coaches and athletes gathered in an atmosphere charged with pride, reflection and optimism.

The colourful ceremony drew executives and members of various sports associations, officials of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders in Edo sports.

In her welcome address, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. A. P. Amenze, praised Hon. Enabulele for what she described as focused and purposeful leadership. She said the past year had seen renewed confidence, discipline and energy return to the state’s sports ecosystem.

Adding excitement to the event were exhibition bouts and demonstrations by the Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo and Judo associations, staged in honour of the Executive Chairman.

Speaking for SWAN Edo State, Chairman Comrade Kehinde Osagiede commended Hon. Enabulele’s open-door leadership style and consistent support for sports development. He noted that the Commission had effectively driven Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “Catch Them Young” policy through practical grassroots programmes that identify and groom young talents across the state.

In recognition of his contributions to sports development and media relations, Comrade Osagiede conferred the Patronship of SWAN Edo State on Hon. Enabulele and presented him with a special anniversary card.

Goodwill messages followed from Executive Directors of the Commission, including Hon. Frank Ilaboya (Edo North), Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON (Edo South), Barr. Anthony Ikuenobe (Edo Central), and Mrs. Sabrina Chikere, Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations. Representatives of coaches, athletes and sports associations also took turns to acknowledge the progress recorded under the current leadership.

In his stewardship address, Hon. Enabulele expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa for the trust placed in him, noting that their backing and shared vision had driven the Commission’s achievements.

He highlighted Team Edo’s third-place finish at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, where the state recorded its best-ever outing with 79 medals—33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze—reinforcing Edo’s reputation as a national sports powerhouse.

The Chairman also pointed to the impact of inclusive and grassroots sports programmes, citing Favour Ojeabu, a visually impaired para-cyclist who won three gold medals to emerge Africa’s champion at the African Track Para-Cycling Championship in Egypt.

Other milestones listed included outstanding performances by Edo para powerlifters on the international stage, historic achievements in cricket, weightlifting, cycling, judo and deaf athletics, as well as structural reforms such as the repositioning of Bendel Insurance FC and deeper investment in grassroots sports development.

Cultural performances added colour and tradition to the celebration, as stakeholders closed the event united in their assessment of the past year as a truly transformative period for sports development in Edo State.

News

Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Editor

The Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Dr. Dennis Otuaro has charged media practitioners particularly members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to promote ethical journalism through their reportage.

He gave the charge in Warri on Wednesday during the 2nd Annual Ijaw Media Conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF).

Represented by Princewill Binebai, spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Otuaro while stating that the Niger Delta stories have been told in such a way that is quite different from what is obtainable in the real sense, said this, IPF must do everything possible to correct.

The administrator added: “I am happy that Ijaw journalists have boldly come out together to champion the Ijaw struggle in a very dynamic perspective”.

“The Ijaw story was misrepresented over the years, but IPF’s emergence had corrected this error and the story is gradually changing for better.”

Otuaro, however, challenged Ijaw media practitioners to be objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage to correct many years anomalies of the Ijaw struggle.

He admonished members of IPF to see themselves as brothers and love one another in the discharge of their activities to achieve a common goal.