After the lull a few years ago, this year’s annual Sobe Day anniversary n Edo State attracted an unprecedented turnout of indigenes, who described the event as their own ‘Xmas’, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME.
Call it the biggest feast in the community in recent time, you are right. Call it their own ‘Xmas’ or new year celebration, you are not wrong. That is what Sobe Day celebration means to most sons and daughters of the community who travelled from far and near to savour the cultural feast which holds every last week of September to commemorate the merger of Sobe with Edo State in 1991.
The theme of this year’s Sobe Day anniversary was Democracy and Unity as Pivots of Sustainable Development.
The four-day event featured Christian crusade, football tournament, cultural performances, street carnival, homage to the traditional ruler, free medical checks led by Dr. Martins Momoh, and an all-night party.
As early as 8 am in the morning of Saturday, September 27, all the participating groups and clubs took turns to pay homage to the traditional ruler of Sobe, His Royal Highness, Anthony Ero Aleburu 1, The Odibiado of Sobe Land. By mid-day, the carnival train had traversed the major streets and roads of the community, dancing and singing. A few hours later, the various groups – cultural troupes, women and children – defied the down pour and trooped out in larger numbers to celebrate their rich cultural heritage.
From performing to singing, dancing and recital, the various groups thrilled the audience. Of the groups, the Ebira Cultural Troupe’s giant masquerader stood out as it was not only colourful, but dramatic in performances.
The venue of the event was St. Eugene’s’ Playground, Sobe, and it attracted dignitaries such as the Chairman of Owan-West Local Government Council, Barrister Godwin Aigbodion; his Vice, Reginald Okun; His Royal Highness, Anthony Ero Aleburu 1, The Odibiado of Sobe Land; members of the Council of Chiefs; Bishop Pandit Sunday Oburekin; Special Senior Apostle Funso Oshoro; the interim Chairman, Sobe Development Association; Mr. Francis Uwaifo among other dignitaries.
Aigbodion, who was accompanied by his Vice, Honourable Reginald Okun, the Councilor representing Sobe (Ward Eleven), Honourable Jimfred Obaidiku and other party chieftains, expressed disappointment over the lukewarm attitude exhibited by the Federal Government during the burial of one of the great sons of the town, the late Commissioner of Police, Pa Benedict Elide Odiase, (the Composer of the current National Anthem). He also condemned the slow pace of construction work at the Sobe–Sabogidda-Ora federal road by Picolo Construction Company, which has denied the community access to Sabongidda-Ora, the council headquarters, which can only be access through Ondo State. The delay in completion of the road project, it was gathered, may not be unconnected with the poor and irregular funding by federal government.
He disclosed that the council has resolved to immotalise the late Pa Odiase by naming the newly built legislative block in the council after him (Pa Odiase). He said Sobe community will be duly informed of the commissioning date of the project.
Impressed by the colourful event,Aigbodionsaid he never knew that the CSobe Day activities are so colourful and elaborate. He advised that henceforth, the community should involve the council as ‘it will willingly want to participate in the events.’
The town’s monarch, Anthony Ero Aleburu 1, used the occasion to thank all sons and daughters of Sobe that have contributed to the success of the anniversary. The King, who was witnessing the event for the first time since he ascended the throne advised that security issue in the community should be a collective responsibility, which everyone should be fully involved in because it cannot be left in the hands of the police alone.
The traditional ruler also thanked the state and the local governments for their developmental efforts in the community. He, however, called on the state government to facilitate the immediate take-off of the approved Area Customary Court in Sobe since the community has provided the building for the court.
He lamented the lack of access to banking facilities in the council area following the closure of the Skye Bank Plc branch in the town. He advised the management of the bank to review its decision on the closure as the community may be forced to ask them to ‘remove their properties from the land if they are not willing to use them.’
Chairman of the occasion, Bishop Oburekin sued for peace and unity among the people qouting Psalm 133 of the Holy Bible, which says: ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity …’ He said: “If we are walking the right path and we are willing to keep walking, eventually we will make progress.”
He advised parents to encourage their children to speak Sobe dialect as it is fast facing extinction, noting that there is need to ‘preserve and promote our cultural heritage especially, the age group and other cultural troupes.’ On political issues, he urged leaders to play genuine politics without bitterness such that the people can enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Life Patron, Sobe Development Association (Abuja Chapter) and sole financier of this year’s celebration, Mr. Funso Osoro, said the growing popularity of the annual event has made many Sobe indigenes outside the community to have positive attitudes towards the progress of the community.
“Parents living in the cities have changed their old mindset towards the community to the extent that they now allow their children to attend the celebration unguided. In fact, it is as important to them as the Xmas and New Year celebrations,” he said.
On the need to tie the celebration to developmental projects, Osoro noted that unfulfilled pledges by guests and friends of the community had in the past celebrations made launching of projects unrealisable. He however stressed that ‘nobody from outside can fix the community for us, we have to do it ourselves. So, launching that bring outsiders to make pledges will never do it. But, in subsequent celebration, we are considering projects such as grading of the major streets, fixing the street light and provision of portable water.’
Osoro disclosed that the youth-based events such as folklore, beauty pageant and musical concert would be incorporated in future celebrations. This, he said, is to allow for effective youth participation for continuity sake.
Interim Chairman, Sobe Development Association, Mr. Francis Uwaifo called on the state government to provide Sobe, which is a border town, with a standard Police Station to checkmate the increasing security challenges pose by criminals.
“The government should also upgrade the three healthcare centers in the community to a General hospital. The market in the town is over-crowded and deserves expansion. The Local Government Council should as a matter of urgency fence the proposed land for the new Main Market project and put in place the necessary machineries for its construction.”
The event was not all about long speeches as the former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Admiral Dele Abiodun and his band were on stage for an all night party.
