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

Published

3 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

Six Corps Members Receive N10m Grants To Boost Agribusiness

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

Six members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have received a total of N10 million in grants to expand their agribusiness ventures under the Farmers for the Future Programme.

The programme was organised on Monday by the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) in collaboration with the NYSC to encourage young Nigerians to embrace agriculture and develop sustainable businesses.

Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries in Abuja, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, urged Corps members to maximise the opportunities provided by the service year by venturing into commodity marketing and other viable businesses.

Nafiu said agribusiness remained a viable avenue for young people to build sustainable enterprises, create employment and generate wealth.

He also stressed the importance of value addition to the success and sustainability of business ventures, while commending BATNF for placing Nigerian youths at the centre of its entrepreneurship initiatives through value-chain development, employment creation and its partnership with the NYSC.

“I charge you to spread the news around. We have seen the outcome, and it is a good idea,” he said.

The beneficiaries are Dominic Olufemi (FC/25C/1143), who received N3 million; Temitope Adewole (ED/26A/2251), N2 million; Abdulwaheed Bala (ED/25B/1402), N2 million; Olanike Mayungbe (OG/26B/1037), N1 million; Kingsley Udoeyen (KG/26A/1735), N1 million; and Lorember Lorsue (JG/25B/1742), N1 million.

Speaking on the selection process, the Acting Director, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), Mrs Winifred Shopeka, said the programme began with an online registration portal through which Corps Members engaged in agribusiness submitted their business plans.

She said nearly 3,000 Corps members applied and underwent a rigorous selection process that produced 20 finalists.

According to her, the finalists participated in a boot camp and a final pitching session, which produced the 10 best presenters before the six ultimate winners were selected.

Shopeka said the beneficiaries had also been mentored and attached to established market operators to assist them in marketing their products.

She added that Corps Members who did not make the final stage of the competition were also trained by BATNF.

The BATNF Team Lead, Mr Oludare Odusanya, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged Corps Members engaged in agribusiness to master the fundamentals and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed.

“We are happy with our collaboration with the NYSC, and it will continue,” he said.

Odusanya explained that BATNF was an independent organisation established to contribute to poverty reduction in Nigeria through sustainable agricultural practices and other interventions.

He said the Farmers for the Future Programme was instituted in collaboration with the NYSC to encourage Corps Members to venture into agribusiness and become job creators.

He added that the beneficiaries would be attached to mentors who would guide them towards achieving success in their respective businesses.

According to him, the programme has, since its inception, continued to enhance the entrepreneurial capacity of Corps Members.

News

CBN Reduces Interest Rate To 23%

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday announced the reduction of the interest rate, also known as Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 23 percent.

Briefing the media in Abuja, the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, said at the 307th MPC meeting held on September 22, 2026 agreed the resetting of the MPR and recaliberation of the monetary policy market.

According to Cardoso, the committe is satisfied with the disinflation progress, adding that members noted stable banking sector following successful recapitalisation.

Meanwhile, according to Nigerian Tribune, reports that that the MPC, at its 306th meeting in July 2026, disclosed its resolution to retain the interets at 26.5 percent.

According to the Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, “the Committee’s decision to maintain the current policy stance followed a thorough assessment of the balance of risks. Although headline inflation moderated marginally in June 2026, global uncertainties have heightened, due mainly to the renewed hostilities in the Middle East.

“In view of the evolving developments, maintaining a cautious monetary policy stance remains appropriate. In arriving at its decision, the Committee noted the recent resurgence of hostilities in the Middle East, with particular attention to its spillover effects on global energy prices and the potential pass-through to domestic inflation.”

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NURTW: KWAM1 Settles Long-time Rift Between MC Oluomo, Tafa Sego

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1, has brokered a peace deal between the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) National President, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, and the Lagos State Chairman of the union, Mustapha Adekunle, aka Tafa Sego.

The reconciliation took place at Ojusagbola in Ijebu, Ogun State, where several NURTW chieftains gathered for the meeting.

The development was announced on Tuesday on KWAM1’s digital media page on Instagram, alongside photographs from the meeting.

According to the post, the two union leaders have resolved their differences after years of strained relations.

“After years of an age-long rift, MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego have finally settled their differences. And from what we know now, this is final,” the post said.

The musician was said to have intervened as the Mayegun of Yorubaland, with the aim of bringing an end to the longstanding disagreement between the two NURTW figures.

“K1 acted in his role as the Mayegun of Yorubaland by seeking an end to the long-standing rift, once and for all,” it said.

The post also described the meeting as a significant step beyond previous public displays of reconciliation.

“This time, it was not just another handshake for the cameras. The two old friends and colleagues came together at Ojusagbola, with King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1) playing the peacemaker.”

Both MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego were reported to be pleased with the outcome of the intervention.

“Both parties are delighted about the new development,” the post said.

The two men had previously been allies and prominent figures within the Lagos NURTW before their relationship became strained amid disagreements linked to leadership of the union in the state.