Entertainment
Egwu Ogba Kicks Off With Cultural Festivities
The entire Ogbaland in
the Ogba Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area is now in a festive mood following the proclamation of the date of this year’s Egwu Ogba festival.
In line with the tradition of the people, the proclamation was performed by the oldest member of Umu-Akoku Royal family, Aburu Community Erema Town in the Ogba Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Elder Uwanu Zachariah Igbokwe.
The festival was fixed for August 14, 2014. Prior to the proclamation ceremony, Elder Igbokwe who is 110 years told The Tide that the festival is as old as Egi and the entire Ogba ethnic nationality. He said that the Egwu-Ogba festival was introduced by ancient people to celebrate the havest of new yams in the entire Ogba kingdom.
Also speaking, the Eze Igrabveny I designate of Erema Town, Obulor Chibuzor said that during the festival all old yams would be disposed off throughout Ogbaland.
He said that apart from the traditional dimension of the festival, it also brings unity among the various communities in Egi land as Ezes of the various communities gather to pledge their loyalties to the Egi monarch.
The proclamation ceremony which took place at the Erema Town play-ground witnessed the assemblage of traditional rulers of Egi extraction.
Prominent among whom are, the Eze Egi, HRM Eze (Dr) Kingdom Elewa, Eze Egi Etiti, HRH Eze London Nwaobiyebe and Eze Ikeagwu Akoku, Eze Ahiahu of Egi, amongst others.
Also at the event were members of Egi Elders Council, Egi Council of Traditional Rulers, Egi Council of Juju Priests, Umu Akoku Kindred, Umu-Akoku women amongst others.
The proclamation of the date for th festival was heralded by the sound of agog, by the Amala of Egi, Elijah Obulor, thereafter the Umu Akoku women danced round the area in a single file.
Speaking with newsmen during the ceremony, the Eze Egi, HRM Eze (Dr) Kingdom Elewa said that the festval signalled the harvest and consumption of new yams throughout Ogbaland.
The king said that the Ogbas would continue to observe the festival irrespective of foreign influences in the area. Son of the oldest man, Mr. Godspower Igbokwe advised youths to refrain from violence during the festival.
The festival also featured the unveiling of Almanac by Egi Amala
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.