Egwu Ogba Holds, August 9

The Umu-Akoku Family of  Erema Town, Egi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has fixed 9th of August, 2021 as date for this year’s Egwu Ogba festival.
August 9, according to the family source,  falls within eight Nkwo market days from the nineth of July 2021, when the declaration was made.
 The declaration of the date was made by Elder Elijah Obulor on behalf of Elder Andrew Nwaoma who is the eldest member of Umu- Akoku family of  Erema at the ancient Anamaoji play ground.
Speaking earlier in an interview with The Tide,  the oldest member of the Umu-Akoku Family, Erema, Elder Andrew Nwaoma said the festival has no iota of  fetism in it, stressing that it is a celebration of the culture of the Egi people.
Elder Nwaoma said Egwu-Ogba also fosters peace and unity, stressing that it is a celebration of all persons irrespective of their religious creed.
Also speaking, the head chief of Umu-Akoku Royal Family of Erema, Chief Ikenna Obulor said the celebration has remained the same despite the influx of different religions  into Erema.
Chief Obulor said Egwu Ogba brings peace, prosperity and oneness to the entire Ogba Kingdom.
He used the occasion to refute alleged rumour of fighting during the ceremony, stressing that the entire place is peaceful.
The eldest son of Andrew Nwaoma, Bro. Kayedi Nwaoma said the present generation will ensure that the festival does not die.
Also speaking, the Eze Egi of Ogbaland, Eze (Prof) Anele Uzondu Wokoma said Egwu Ogba represents the feast of passover for the Egi people.
Wokoma said the festival brings bumper harvest to the Egi people as well as fosters unity in the Kingdom.

By: John Bibor