For several reasons, including the presence of dignitaries, including Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, Minister of Culture Edem Duke, Amnesty Programme Chairman Kingsley Kuku, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and Nollywood stars, this year’s Arogbo-Ibe Day will linger in the minds of sons and daughters of the Ijaw town for a long time to come, reports OLUKOREDE YISHAU
It is day two. Friday was the first day of festivity. Time is some minutes past ten in the morning. It is Saturday, September 27. The speed boat berths at the jetty in Arogbo. It is a five-minute ride from Agadagba. The vegetaion and aura tell you this is simply Niger Delta in Ondo State.
A first time visitor cannot but notice the floating NNPC filling station, which services the needs of boat engines.
An old woman sprinkles water on those willing with palm front. It is said to be a purification exercise for people coming into the town. It makes you clean and whole! Non-indigenes dodge it though.
It is immediately obvious the riverine Ijaw town is in festive mood. It is the Arogbo Day.
Men, women, boys and girls are dressed specially. The town square is extra busy because of visitors that are expected to come in from other Ijaw enclaves in Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and so on.
It is soon obvious the town is a typical riverside community: few cars brought in through the sea; houses made of woods; a chunk of modern structures scattered like china wares; and women selling fresh or fried fishes.
Solar-powered street lights line the concrete roads, which only came to be some months ago courtesy of the town’s most influential son, Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku (K3), who is President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Some years back, the nice shoes on feet would have been booths because the roads were marshy then. The concrete-slab roads are complete with culverts. The jetty also looks better than before. Few Niger Delta communities boast of these infrastructure. It is just unprecedented.
Walls bear allegiance to the fact that the 2015 elections are here. Aspirants’ posters for House of Assembly and sundry positions adorn painted and unpainted walls.
Ijaw songs blare out from giant speakers in a number of outstanding edifices. A floating hotel also supplies music for whoever cares to listen.
In a part of the town, canopies take over sizeable space on a road complete with chairs and a live band. On another street, hip hop songs blare out of giant speakers, with boys dancing their hearts out.
At the river bank, the boat regatta starts around 1pm. Many gather to look at the regatta teams dressed in native attires singing and dancing to drums beaten by experienced Arogbo drummers. Women bear their kids to the river bank to witness the colourful display. Traditional rulers are not left out. They are here with their entourage to see the display by the regatta teams.
Cheers break out from time to time when any of the team is seen to have performed spectacularly. The rain comes from time to time. But, the show continues.
The regent and Tarabiritorhu of Arogbo Kingdom, His Highness Amos Sofiyea, takes a break from a programme to bear his mind about the festival. He says it is an opportunity for the people to come together and remember their culture and traditions. He adds that it affords them the opportunity to chart the way forward for the Ijaw Nation.
His words: “It is a great day for Arogbo kingdom and its people. We come together to merry and also display our culture.”
The views of the chairman of the Organising Committee, Kennedy Eperetei, are not so different.
He says:”It is a day for our people to come together for us to remind ourselves about our culture and traditions. It also affords us the opportunity to meet people we have not seen for a long time.”
It is soon time to talk about the ‘environmental terrorism’ afflicting the Niger Delta. A lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), Prof Didi Moro, gives a lecture on “Nigeria and the Question of Development in Coastal Niger Delta Areas”. He takes the place of Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari. He has harsh words for the government which, he says, has failed to address the Niger Delta question over the years. He likens the failure to address this question as man’s inhumanity to man.
Moro says efforts to develop the Niger Delta have fallen short of the people’s expectations, adding that interventionist efforts, such as Niger Delta River Basin Authority and the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), have all failed. He urges the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to be more proactive, adding that until the Niger Delta is given its due, development remains a mirage.
He wonders how development will come to the coastal communities when there are no roads and electricity.
Moro queries why the coastal road that will link Lagos to the coastal areas of the Niger Delta in record time is not receiving the required attention.
The Environmental Biology expert says the people drink water that can harm their health. He adds that diseases, such as cancer, can be contracted by drinking the water in almost all the coastal communities.
Moro also says coastal communities lack tertiary institutions and have to go elsewhere to get educated.
“The Niger Delta has not got its due from anybody. It has suffered enough alienation, enough deprivation and it is time for us to ask for what belongs to us without fear. We must ask for our right. Posterity will not be fair to us if we refuse to ask for our rights,” he concludes.
After the lecture, the rain assume a frightening dimension. It pours on and on. But, the shows continues. As it rains, speakers react to the points in the lecture. Many dance to the Ijaw band’s rendition. One or two even dance inside the rain as if daring it to do its worst.
One thing that keeps coming up during the ceremony is Kuku’s name. Speaker after speaker praise him for his efforts in developing the town.
It all appears all has come to an end after the regent gives a closing remark.
Asari’s arrival at some minutes to 5pm increases the tempo of the dance in the rain. Dressed in all white buba and sokoto and white slippers, he participates in the vigorous dance after exchanging pleasantries with a few on the high table and waving at others. His presence seems to encourage more to dare the rain. At this time, the rain means almost nothing again. It can as well go on for all they care. And then music goes on. Dance. Dance. Dance. And more dance. It seems no end in sight again. Then an all-night show in honour of a late Ijaw music icon, Bozimo, ensures day two rolls into day three, with music and dance and merriment.
Last day
The festival’s programme starts at 6am. Not even church can stop many from basking in the last day’s glory. The people are not in their Sunday best, but in their ceremonial best.
Like at some point the day before, fireworks boom. You can mistake it for guns booming. It is all part of the celebration.
The ogele procession sees women, men, boys and girls marked with white chalk on their faces and white scarfs on their foreheads circling the town. Others wear blue dresses and tie blue scarfs on their foreheads for the ogele procession. Some just do it with no specific kind of uniform, but with painted face. Another group even adds a band singing Christian hymns to their procession.
The crowd the day before soon becomes a child’s play. Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson arrives with his entourage. Kuku receives them at the jetty and leads them through the water from Agadagba to Arogbo. He visits the palace of the regent and speaks about the Ijaw people.
His words: “This Arogbo day celebration is very unique and I am here to underscore the importance of our culture, the need to continue to strive and uphold our culture and preserve our land. I am happy with what is happening in Arogbo. I came here to express our appreciation of what Arogbo kingdom is doing, ensuring that the tradition of our land is preserved even in this environment that they have been staying for 100 of years. This is a fast developing community and as I said earlier, Arogbo-Ibe needs more support from all levels of government.
“ I shall take it up with my friend and brother, the governor of Ondo state, Governor Olusegun Mimiko and I can assure the people of Arogbo that other government agencies will also come in. There are lots of things that Arogbo-Ibe can do better. There is a lot of determination on their part, a lot of good things are happening here and with what my younger brother, Kingsley Kuku is doing, I believe working with him, I think we can do better. Arogbo-Ibe needs more support and we will surely live up to expectation whenever we are called upon.”
Minister of Culture Edem Duke soon comes in and stays till the night to participate in the award night.
Duke says: “Warm greetings from President Jonathan who would have loved to be in Arogbo personally but for the 54th independence anniversary church service holding in Abuja today. He wanted me to represent him here not only because I’m the Minister of Culture or because I am going to a territory where tradition has become a lasting heritage of a proud Arogbo Nation. For me, more importantly, it is a home coming because as some of you will know, thirty six years ago, I was a teacher in Ondo State. Therefore, for me to come to this wonderful kingdom and meet these wonderful people and faces, in fact, in the whole of Nigeria, I don’t think we can have as many beautiful women as much as I have seen in Arogbo today.
I salute the women, mothers and youths. Let me reiterate that the president of the biggest black nation of the face of the earth is an Ijaw man. Upon becoming President, the biggest problem confronting him was solving the problem of the Niger Delta youths and of all the 170 million Nigerians that are resident in Nigeria and over 20 million that are resident outside Nigeria, he found a worthy son from Arogbo kingdom to perform this onerous task. I think it is a matter of pride to Arogbo. Mr President has equally asked me to tell you people that one of the greatest success this administration has recorded is to have used Kuku to solve the challenges of the Niger Delta. Today, many youths of the Ijaw nation have traveled far and wide to places, such as U.S.A, Japan, Britain, Malaysia courtesy of the Amnesty Office headed by Kingsley Kuku. There is no where on the face of the earth that Kingsley Kuku has not facilitated the visitation of the Niger Delta people. Therefore, it is proper that we celebrate this young man. A man of dignity, courage, passion and a humble Arogbo young man. I salute you on behalf of Nigeria and on behalf of the Mr President on the historic recognition by your community.”
The award night also sees Nollywood stars, such as the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima, Victor Osuagwu, Patience Ozokwo and others, identifying with the Arogbo people. Ace comedian Julius Agwu also witnesses the event.
By the people’s admission, this year’s festival is one like no other and will forever linger in their memories. But, with a son like Kuku, next year’s festival may even be better. Who knows what magic in terms of infrastructure will be added by then?
t is day two. Friday was the first day of festivity. Time is some minutes past ten in the morning. It is Saturday, September 27. The speed boat berths at the jetty in Arogbo. It is a five-minute ride from Agadagba. The vegetaion and aura tell you this is simply Niger Delta in Ondo State.
A first time visitor cannot but notice the floating NNPC filling station, which services the needs of boat engines.
An old woman sprinkles water on those willing with palm front. It is said to be a purification exercise for people coming into the town. It makes you clean and whole! Non-indigenes dodge it though.
It is immediately obvious the riverine Ijaw town is in festive mood. It is the Arogbo Day.
Men, women, boys and girls are dressed specially. The town square is extra busy because of visitors that are expected to come in from other Ijaw enclaves in Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and so on.
It is soon obvious the town is a typical riverside community: few cars brought in through the sea; houses made of woods; a chunk of modern structures scattered like china wares; and women selling fresh or fried fishes.
Solar-powered street lights line the concrete roads, which only came to be some months ago courtesy of the town’s most influential son, Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku (K3), who is President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Some years back, the nice shoes on feet would have been booths because the roads were marshy then. The concrete-slab roads are complete with culverts. The jetty also looks better than before. Few Niger Delta communities boast of these infrastructure. It is just unprecedented.
Walls bear allegiance to the fact that the 2015 elections are here. Aspirants’ posters for House of Assembly and sundry positions adorn painted and unpainted walls.
Ijaw songs blare out from giant speakers in a number of outstanding edifices. A floating hotel also supplies music for whoever cares to listen.
In a part of the town, canopies take over sizeable space on a road complete with chairs and a live band. On another street, hip hop songs blare out of giant speakers, with boys dancing their hearts out.
At the river bank, the boat regatta starts around 1pm. Many gather to look at the regatta teams dressed in native attires singing and dancing to drums beaten by experienced Arogbo drummers. Women bear their kids to the river bank to witness the colourful display. Traditional rulers are not left out. They are here with their entourage to see the display by the regatta teams.
Cheers break out from time to time when any of the team is seen to have performed spectacularly. The rain comes from time to time. But, the show continues.
The regent and Tarabiritorhu of Arogbo Kingdom, His Highness Amos Sofiyea, takes a break from a programme to bear his mind about the festival. He says it is an opportunity for the people to come together and remember their culture and traditions. He adds that it affords them the opportunity to chart the way forward for the Ijaw Nation.
His words: “It is a great day for Arogbo kingdom and its people. We come together to merry and also display our culture.”
The views of the chairman of the Organising Committee, Kennedy Eperetei, are not so different.
He says:”It is a day for our people to come together for us to remind ourselves about our culture and traditions. It also affords us the opportunity to meet people we have not seen for a long time.”
It is soon time to talk about the ‘environmental terrorism’ afflicting the Niger Delta. A lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), Prof Didi Moro, gives a lecture on “Nigeria and the Question of Development in Coastal Niger Delta Areas”. He takes the place of Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari. He has harsh words for the government which, he says, has failed to address the Niger Delta question over the years. He likens the failure to address this question as man’s inhumanity to man.
Moro says efforts to develop the Niger Delta have fallen short of the people’s expectations, adding that interventionist efforts, such as Niger Delta River Basin Authority and the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), have all failed. He urges the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to be more proactive, adding that until the Niger Delta is given its due, development remains a mirage.
He wonders how development will come to the coastal communities when there are no roads and electricity.
Moro queries why the coastal road that will link Lagos to the coastal areas of the Niger Delta in record time is not receiving the required attention.
The Environmental Biology expert says the people drink water that can harm their health. He adds that diseases, such as cancer, can be contracted by drinking the water in almost all the coastal communities.
Moro also says coastal communities lack tertiary institutions and have to go elsewhere to get educated.
“The Niger Delta has not got its due from anybody. It has suffered enough alienation, enough deprivation and it is time for us to ask for what belongs to us without fear. We must ask for our right. Posterity will not be fair to us if we refuse to ask for our rights,” he concludes.
After the lecture, the rain assume a frightening dimension. It pours on and on. But, the shows continues. As it rains, speakers react to the points in the lecture. Many dance to the Ijaw band’s rendition. One or two even dance inside the rain as if daring it to do its worst.
One thing that keeps coming up during the ceremony is Kuku’s name. Speaker after speaker praise him for his efforts in developing the town.
It all appears all has come to an end after the regent gives a closing remark.
Asari’s arrival at some minutes to 5pm increases the tempo of the dance in the rain. Dressed in all white buba and sokoto and white slippers, he participates in the vigorous dance after exchanging pleasantries with a few on the high table and waving at others. His presence seems to encourage more to dare the rain. At this time, the rain means almost nothing again. It can as well go on for all they care. And then music goes on. Dance. Dance. Dance. And more dance. It seems no end in sight again. Then an all-night show in honour of a late Ijaw music icon, Bozimo, ensures day two rolls into day three, with music and dance and merriment.
Last day
The festival’s programme starts at 6am. Not even church can stop many from basking in the last day’s glory. The people are not in their Sunday best, but in their ceremonial best.
Like at some point the day before, fireworks boom. You can mistake it for guns booming. It is all part of the celebration.
The ogele procession sees women, men, boys and girls marked with white chalk on their faces and white scarfs on their foreheads circling the town. Others wear blue dresses and tie blue scarfs on their foreheads for the ogele procession. Some just do it with no specific kind of uniform, but with painted face. Another group even adds a band singing Christian hymns to their procession.
The crowd the day before soon becomes a child’s play. Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson arrives with his entourage. Kuku receives them at the jetty and leads them through the water from Agadagba to Arogbo. He visits the palace of the regent and speaks about the Ijaw people.
His words: “This Arogbo day celebration is very unique and I am here to underscore the importance of our culture, the need to continue to strive and uphold our culture and preserve our land. I am happy with what is happening in Arogbo. I came here to express our appreciation of what Arogbo kingdom is doing, ensuring that the tradition of our land is preserved even in this environment that they have been staying for 100 of years. This is a fast developing community and as I said earlier, Arogbo-Ibe needs more support from all levels of government.
“ I shall take it up with my friend and brother, the governor of Ondo state, Governor Olusegun Mimiko and I can assure the people of Arogbo that other government agencies will also come in. There are lots of things that Arogbo-Ibe can do better. There is a lot of determination on their part, a lot of good things are happening here and with what my younger brother, Kingsley Kuku is doing, I believe working with him, I think we can do better. Arogbo-Ibe needs more support and we will surely live up to expectation whenever we are called upon.”
Minister of Culture Edem Duke soon comes in and stays till the night to participate in the award night.
Duke says: “Warm greetings from President Jonathan who would have loved to be in Arogbo personally but for the 54th independence anniversary church service holding in Abuja today. He wanted me to represent him here not only because I’m the Minister of Culture or because I am going to a territory where tradition has become a lasting heritage of a proud Arogbo Nation. For me, more importantly, it is a home coming because as some of you will know, thirty six years ago, I was a teacher in Ondo State. Therefore, for me to come to this wonderful kingdom and meet these wonderful people and faces, in fact, in the whole of Nigeria, I don’t think we can have as many beautiful women as much as I have seen in Arogbo today. I salute the women, mothers and youths. Let me reiterate that the president of the biggest black nation of the face of the earth is an Ijaw man. Upon becoming President, the biggest problem confronting him was solving the problem of the Niger Delta youths and of all the 170 million Nigerians that are resident in Nigeria and over 20 million that are resident outside Nigeria, he found a worthy son from Arogbo kingdom to perform this onerous task. I think it is a matter of pride to Arogbo. Mr President has equally asked me to tell you people that one of the greatest success this administration has recorded is to have used Kuku to solve the challenges of the Niger Delta. Today, many youths of the Ijaw nation have traveled far and wide to places, such as U.S.A, Japan, Britain, Malaysia courtesy of the Amnesty Office headed by Kingsley Kuku. There is no where on the face of the earth that Kingsley Kuku has not facilitated the visitation of the Niger Delta people. Therefore, it is proper that we celebrate this young man. A man of dignity, courage, passion and a humble Arogbo young man. I salute you on behalf of Nigeria and on behalf of the Mr President on the historic recognition by your community.”
The award night also sees Nollywood stars, such as the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima, Victor Osuagwu, Patience Ozokwo and others, identifying with the Arogbo people. Ace comedian Julius Agwu also witnesses the event.
By the people’s admission, this year’s festival is one like no other and will forever linger in their memories. But, with a son like Kuku, next year’s festival may even be better. Who knows what magic in terms of infrastructure will be added by then?
