Niger Delta

Edo Community To Hold Historical ‘Itakpo’ Septennial Festival

Published

2 years ago

January 31, 2024

The historical ‘ Itakpo Festival’, popularly known as ‘Feast of Passover’, of Ososo Community in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, is set to hold after seven years after the last edition.
A member of the community age-group cultural fiesta, Mr Ajamah Afemikhe, told The Tide’s source that the septennial event was slated for February 12.
According to him, the festival acclaimed to be one of the major drivers of tourists to the state, expected participants from within the country and from the diaspora.
“During the February 2024 edition of this festival, the flood gate to the hospitality and tourism potentials of Ososo people are to be flung open for the view and relish of over 500,000 expected visitors.
“The theme of the event is ‘Osunomogwo’, which is chosen to reflect the time-tested bond and unity of the three celebrating kindred comprising of Ubereni, Ukporikpo, and Ugbedu in Okhe quarters of Ososo.
“Itakpo fesitival is patriarchal age-grade initiation, a moment of graduation of boyhood to manhood, it is an elevation to the elder’s assembly in the society.
“It marks the end of the youthful milestone and years of service, labour, and protection of the community and is also the gateway to joining the critical decision-making body of the community”, he said.
According to Afemikhe, Itakpo, also known as ‘Feast of Passover’, also celebrates the historical migration of the people of Ososo from “Ogbe”, a quarter in the ancient Benin Kingdom to its present settlement.
He said the migration of their ancestors took several years as they stayed in many locations before the final settlement at their present location called Ososo.
“As a way of remembrance and to keeping to the promise of our forefathers, celebrants visit various sites and locations in the migration routes to Ososo.
“These sites and locations are the epicenters of activities during the Itakpo festival, the closest modern-day depiction of the Biblical Exodus of the omised land.Israelites from Egypt and their grand entry to the promised land.
“The festival did not just remind us of our travails, the tortuous routs to our present location, and the sacrifices of our heroes past, it reenacts our migration story and experiences.
“The Festival is an epitome of history reminding us of our existence, resilience, victories, courage, and pride, which is the reason erroneous stories written in ink cannot erase our rich history.
“The people of Ososo did not come to this present day location by chance but by sheer dignity which has been a sacred endowment by God and our ancestors”, he said.
Afemikhe explained that the festival was usually flagged off he celebrating group.with sensitisation visits with drumming and dancing by families of participating age groups and collection of kola nuts from every member of the celebrating group.
He added that social activities were also lined up to making the 2024 edition of the festival unique and memorable, including various cultural displays.
This, he said, included cladding of traditional costumes, regalia and fantastic hair-styles adorned by the wives and families of the celebrants.
He added that the septennial festival would also feature musical concerts and the popular ‘Face of Itakpo Beauty Pageant’, among other and side attractions.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

20 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

23 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

23 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.