Niger Delta
‘500,000 Persons To Partake In Irepa/Aba Drum Festival’

About 500,000 persons are expected to participate at the 39th edition of the Irepa/Aba Drum Festival scheduled for August 18.
The Otaru of Igarra, HRH, Emmanuel Adeche Saiki 11, disclosed this at a news conference, held in Igarra, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State on Monday.
Adeche said the festival is celebrated every seven years of lunar calendar and six years of gregorian calendar.
He added that the festival is to foster peace, love, harmony, preservation of the cultural heritage of the people and to nurture the values they uphold.
“It brings me immense joy to witness our united celebration of this day filled with peace, love and happiness as we collectively uphold our shared strength and cultural heritage.
“I am aware of the meticulous preparations that have gone into making the day extraordinary and memorable for each individuals.
“The revered custodians of Aba drum, an integral part of Irepa/Aba rituals, hold a sacred place I tapestry of the drum festival’s legacy”, he said.
He continued that, “the 39th edition of the Irepa/Aba festival is a grand culmination of tradition and cultural observances deeply rooted in the history of Igarra people.
“As it is customary, this media briefing serves to extend our warm embrace to our sons, daughters, visitors, tourists and well wishers who have chosen to join us in this celebration.
“We extend our heartfelt wishes for an experience filled with joy festivities, shared love and a convivial atmosphere”.
The traditional ruler congratulated the Opozes (Opa Osiewundo) who are graduating to Opirepa (Council of Elders) and urged them to continue to thrive in good health and serve the community with dedication.
“I hope that we shall persist in coexisting harmoniously and forging ahead as a united community destined for greater accomplishments and the elevation of our values and heritage for the generation to come”, he said.
He thanked the Edo State Government for its readiness to provide adequate security during the festival and solicit the cooperation of the community with security agencies during the period.
“It is important to mention that security agencies with collaborations from our people are working round the clock to ensure a safer society, especially during this festival.
“To this end, I reiterate that all hands must be on deck to ensure our community is a safe haven during the festival”, he said.An Elder of the Onubeji Household of Igarra, Mr Daniel Ojo, said the Eziakuta Opoporiku family is the custodian of the Aba drum festival.
Ojo said the beating of Aba drum is a pivotal moment of the Irepa festival activities, adding that the celebration upholds a sacred legacy of the Igarra Kingdom.
“We are the real owners of the Aba drum and its custody has been a reflection of our family’s ingenuity, strength and relevance from time immemorial.
“We didn’t come by this heritage by our making but by sheer dignity which has been a sacred endowment by God and our ancestors.
“We are here together to join the paramount ruler of Igarra/Akuku clan in celebration of the 39th edition of Irepa/Aba festival”, Ojo said.
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.