Monarch Assures Of Security At Egwu Ogba Festival

The people of Egi clan in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government
area, Rivers State have assured visitors to the 2012 festival (Egwu Ogba) of
adequate security.

The traditional ruler of Obagi Community in Egi Clan, His
Royal Highness, Eze Abella Benson gave the assurance in an interview with The
Tide in Port Harcourt Tuesday on preparation for the festival.

Eze Benson said the traditional council in collaboration
with security agents and youth bodies would ensure the protection of lives and
property, before, during and after the festival.

He appealed to the people of Egi clan, particularly Obagi
Community to demonstrate their hospitality and cultural potentials to visitors
and tourists throughout the period.

According to the Monarch, the festival is a period set aside
by Ogba ethnic nationality to harvest their farm produce, adding that within
the period all farming activities are suspended.

He further explained that the people were expected to keep
enough food items and even fire wood for a period of one month.

“There are cultural dances such as Owu, Egbukele, Agala Owu,
Nwanunu, wrestling and football competitions. Winners will be presented
trophies and cash”, he stated.

The royal father who is also an Alternative Dispute
Resolution expert appealed to multi-national companies operating in the area to
assist Ogba people to make the festival be of international standard, as part
of their social responsibility to the people.

Isaac Nwankwo