EDAGBERI FESTIVAL: We Celebrate God Almighty, We’re Not Fetish – Paramount Ruler
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Omomavie I Ibe Engenni
by Oyagiri Chime-emeleAs the people of Edagberi Betterland Communities mark their 2023 annual festival with pomp, the paramount ruler, His Royal Highness, Sunny Jacob Ubele, has said that the essence of the event is to thank God Almighty.
The Omomavie I Ibe Engenni and Okilomu Akie XIII of Edagberi Betterland Communities, His Royal Highness Amb. Sunny Jacob Ubelwho, said the festival is devoid of fetishism, adding that they were only celebrating the potentials and endowment of their God given riches.
The paramount ruler l, who made the assertion at the grand finale of the three days festival, posited that the peace and tranquility enjoyed by the people is by God’s grace. He further explained that the peace is as a result of self sacrifice by their fathers.
His words; “We are thanking God for the peace He has given to the community. Far back decades, we were in rancour, acrimony and in contention with our neighbours over this land we are occupying today. It took us up to the Supreme Court in Lagos to determine the true owner of this land. And by His grace, God gave us victory and we now occupy the land.
“And Shell Development Petroleum Company (SDPC) came in and started exploring, exploiting oil and gas from the land. God gave us the oil, nobody knew how it came about. And through the oil and gas, we have done so much in favour of the people and Communities.
“Our community is the goose that lays the egg that covers many communities in the GMoU today. We see that it is worth celebrating because God has done so much for us. Our grandfathers fought and were victorious. Today, we are enjoying what they did in the past.”
He hinted that his developmental strides were spurred by his eagerness to change the narrative and leave indelible legacies that would stand the test of time. He listed the building of a cottage hospital fully equipped with state of the art facilities, award of scholarships, provision of a 500KVA power generating set and provision uninterrupted turbine light to the people.
The paramount ruler further stated that being touched by seeing little children trekking kilometers to attend schools in other Communities, he facilitated the citing of Junior Secondary School in the community, which according to him; ‘will be upgraded to a Senior Secondary School in the next academic session.’
Reacting to a question on his acceptability by his people, he said, “I can stand high with my head straight, because I have fulfilled my electoral promises to my people. This is why my people love me. I do my talk. I stand by my words.”
In their address, students of Community Secondary School, Edagberi Betterland, thanked the paramount ruler for his vision, doggedness and prompt establishment of the school.
It stated in part that; “We have qualified teachers with high pedigree in the educational field, with qualified Corps members, hence, we encouraged parents and guidance to enroll their Wards in the established Universal Basic Education of the institution (UBE).”
They eulogized the paramount ruler for encouraging students and parents through his donation of uniform, exercise books, amongst others. Dr Onisoman Zudonu, Engr Awari Reuben George, Comr Oviemenavaya Sampson were also acknowledged as philanthropists at different times.
The annual festival began on Monday, June 12th and was rounded off in a well attended grand finale on Wednesday, June 14th.
Highlights of the festival were a royal procession to Ususu – JK I to and fro on Monday, traditional wrestling and cultural display on Tuesday and school children renditions, news casting, a display by Ball Boy and native renditions by Engenni Women Consultative Forum.
