Esi Day : Ogbona Community in Edo Marks New Yam Festival in a Grand Style – By Elias Inaede,
Festivals are celebrated to promote oneness and unity among communities and to also appreciate Amighty God for bumper harvest.
The 2021 new yam festival celebration in Ogbona community is unique and historic in the annals of Avhianwu Clan in Etsako Central Local Government Area.
The reasons are not far fetched. It was an opportunity for the community to showcase their rich cultural heritage. The ceremony also showcased the level of unity and cooperation among the people of the area.
It was also an avenue for reunion and portrayed the exemplary leadership qualities of the community Head, HRH Chief Willy Idode whose reign has brought peace, unity and sustainable development to the area.
In his opening remark, Okphe Ukpi and the traditional Ruler of Ogbona, HRH Willy Idode, said the Festival was celebrated to show appreciation to God for a fruitful harvest at the end of every farming season..
He urged the people to continue to embrace peace and dialogue to achieve sustainable growth.
While wishing the people happy celebration, the Royal Highness sued for cooperation and support among the people He appealed to the Federal Government to create Ranches for Nomadic helders to prevent farmers/ herders clahes in order to stop Cattle from destroying their crops.
On his part, the Oghieavhianwu of Avhianwu and Paramount Ruler of the Clan, HRH Alhaji Jackson Daoda Etokhana commended the community for their unity and show of love during the celebration.
Alhaji Etokhana urged them to keep faith with the traditional institution to achieve the desired goal of taking the community to the next level of development.
The Custodian of Esi Festival and Eldest man in the Community, Pa Aluoghor prayed for more blessings, peace, unity and sustainable growth in the community.
In his paper presentation entitled ” the Roles of the Community in the Provision of effective Security” the Egboise of Ogbona, Chief Vincent Otsoi thanked the Sub Clan head for his leadership qualities that has brought transformation to the area.
He urged the people to work as a team and called for frequent surveillance of farms to checkmate any external invasion and also called for adequate financing of local Vigilantes to encourage them to put in their best.
In their separate contributions, Chief George Kadiri , Chief Stephen Apakhade, Chief Otse and Chief Mathias Akpaibor, said Esi Festival is Biblical as instructed by God in the book of Deuteronomy where God asked for first fruits to be shared to the Priests and the Levites.
In an interview with newsmen, an indigene of the community and retired Commissioner of Police, Chief JET Oshiomhogho urged the people to believe in their tradition, adding that they are following the path of their Ancestors. The former CP asserted that people should be proud of their way of life to justify their reason of existence.
Visitors were treated to a lavish reception. Popular Edo Musicians King Benji Igbadumhe and Mayor Constance Bolivia Osigbemhe and other traditional dances thrilled the guests with special numbers.
Highlight of the ceremony was the cutting of the festival cake and presentation of Yams and Melons by the various Age Grades to the community.
2021 Esi festival : Ogbona Community Distributes Yams to Elderly, Widows, Less Privileged –By Elias Inaede
In demonstration of their commitment and love to the welfare of the people, the Ogbona traditional Council in collaboration with the elders and stakeholders in the community have shared the donated Yams, grains, garri etc. during the Esi festival to the elderly, the widows and the less Privileged in the Society.
In his remark during the sharing of the Yams in his palace, the Okphe Upki and Sub Clan head of Ogbona Community, His Royal Highness Willy Idode, said,the gesture was in fulfilment of their pledge to provide exemplary leadership to the people.
He sued for unity and cooperation among the various Socio- Cultural Organizations in the community to continue to achieve sustainable development and urged them to sustain the tempo.
It would be recalled that the Ogbona 2021 new Yam festival will remain remarkable in the annals of Avhianwu Clan.
Esi Festival : OYF President, Congratulates HRH Willy Idode, Others Over Successful Celebration. By Elias Inaede
National President of Ogbona Youth Forum, Mr. Eddy Umole, has congratulated the traditional Ruler of Ogbona community, HRH Willy Idode over the successful celebration of 2021 New Yam festival.
In his congratulatory message, Mr Eddy Umole, said, this year’s new yam festival celebration was symbolic in view of the activities that climaxed the epoc making ceremony.
The OYF President also congratulated the Ogbona Traditional Council for their wisdom to organize such an historic event.
While commending the Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona for his leadership qualities that has united the people and brought sustainable development to the area, the OYF President said he is committed to serving the community better and sued for unity and cooperation to take the community to the a greater height.
He also appreciated the custodian of the festival and the Odior of Ogbona, Pa Aluoghor whose reign has brought revival to the community.
He enjoined Sons and daughters of the community to join hands with the traditional Ruler to continue to attract more development to the area.
