The Federal Ministry of Culture and its counterpart in Delta State have been urged to explore the possibility of upgrading the annual Ogwashi-Uku Ineh festival in Aniocha South Council of Delta State to a national event to boost the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
The Iyase of Ogwashi-Uku, High Chief Mike Nwaukoni, made this call during the celebration of the festival on Thursday, urging Nigerians to uphold and promote their cultural heritage for future generations.
According to him, culture is a way of life and a long-standing identity that should be passed down from one generation to another. The Iyase, who celebrated the festival with pomp and pageantry, noted that Ineh is an annual thanksgiving to appreciate God for His grace, mercy, and protection. He added that the beauty of the festival lies in the merrymaking and the dance procession around the town.
Chief Nwaukoni urged the people of Ogwashi-Uku to continue living in peace and harmony with one another and to avoid actions that could threaten the security, growth, and development of the kingdom.
The Onu-Iyase of the Agidiase community, Chief Lawrence Okafor, who led the dance procession around the area, remarked that the festival is not only unique but also a reenactment of the age-old culture and tradition of the people, which has come to stay.
The carnival-like event attracted titled chiefs and family members, including the National Legal Advisor of the Ogwashi-Uku Development Association (O.D.A. Worldwide), Barrister Francis Okolie, who joined the dance procession around the town with men, women, and youths in an atmosphere indicative of peace and unity.
High-ranking chiefs who participated in the celebration included the Ihonor of Ogwashi-Uku, Chief Hycent Okolie; the Ogegbe-Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Chief Dan Modiekwu; elders of the Agidiase community; women’s groups; and a delegation of elders from Otulu-Ogwashi, Azagba-Ogwashi, Edo-Ogwashi, and Aboh-Ogwashi, among several other dignitaries.
The Secretary-General of the Ogwashi-Uku Development Association (O.D.A. Worldwide), Mr. Adigwe Eluemunor Sunday, and the immediate past President General of the O.D.A., Mazi Emmanuel Ashinze, also graced the occasion.
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