PTV News Media: Ijaw Initiatives Lagos celebrates Ijaw Nation Day Festival

By Perekeme Odon

The Ijaw community in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, confidently came together to exuberantly celebrate their rich tradition and culture during the second annual Ijaw Festival Day.

The Ijaw Initiatives held the three-day festival from March 7th to March 9th, 2024, at the Bics Garden Boat Club in Lekki, Phase 1, Lagos State,, with the theme "promoting Ijaw pride." This festival was the first of its kind and was attended by many distinguished and well-meaning Ijaw individuals, along with their associates and friends, who gathered to witness the magnificent display of their cultural and traditional performances. The Ijaw people in the diaspora recognized the importance of preserving their cultural heritage, and this festival was a testament to their unwavering commitment to their roots.

The various tribes belonging to the Ijaw ethnic group residing in Lagos, Nigeria, have made it a tradition to showcase their diverse cultural practices every year to celebrate and share the rich cultural legacy of the Ijaw people with the rest of the world.

Taribio Walson-Oweifawari, the undisputed globally renowned master of ceremonies, voice-over artist, and presenter of Bayelsa State Glory FM 97.1, skillfully hosted an absolutely amazing festival alongside MC Sharp, who was the perfect co-host, adding to the overall thrill and enjoyment of the festival.

The festival showcased an impressive array of cultural dances, traditional music performances, boat regattas, masquerade performances, traditional wrestling competitions, arts and crafts exhibitions, an extensive range of traditional Ijaw cuisine, and an awards and gala night.

One of the most colourful aspects of the event was the presence of the president, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, and the ever-bubbling Comrade Joseph Evah during the presentation of the Ijaw people's centuries-old war boat regatta, much to the delight of the audience.


Convener, Kuro Fapohunda and INC President, Prof Benjamin Okaba

In his keynote address, the President of the IJaw National Congress welcomed all the attendees and expressed his gratitude to the Ijaws in Lagos for their unwavering support and determination in organizing the event and praised their fearless step in showcasing our power in unity
away from our numerous communities.

“We are very happy and proud of you too. The Ijaw National Congress is here to support and identify with the progress made by this association in advancing and revitalising the Ijaw culture. The INC National Publicity Secretary, Engr. Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha and I decided to come personally for two reasons. First, a lot of people started raising questions as to the authenticity of this programme, even here in Lagos, questioning if it’s an Ijaw programme and who gave them the authorization and permission to have this programme. Some people even passed rude disclaimers. Secondly, I want to inform all of us gathered here that the Ijaw Initiative is an affiliation body of the Ijaw National Congress. On behalf of 40 million Ijaw people, this programme is endorsed to promote the Ijaw cause to greater heights. He affirmed.

The Ijaw National Congress President confidently expressed his gratitude to Kuro Fapohunda and her team for their outstanding collaboration in preserving the rich Ijaw culture. He confidently announced that the INC had taken a firm decision to honour the unparalleled Ijaw cultural festival this year, as it stands out as the most distinctive among all Ijaw ethnic groups.

(l-r) Taribio Walson-Oweifawari, Mrs Church-ere Komonibo & Kuro Fapohunda

“Let me use this opportunity to thank the Ijaw communities in Ajegunle and Epe for coming in their numbers to associate with this noble project. The culture of a people is very important, and that is their identity. Let us speak Ijaw always. Let us dance and eat Ijaw. On a day like this, we want to see osun, pulo fia, kiri igina, kekefia”.

The INC President stated that, “In Lagos, we’re seeing beautiful dance steps. In fact, I thought they were imported from Bayelsa, but I never knew they were made in Epe and Ajegunle. I want to promise you that when the INC will be organising its own Ijaw National Congress Day, we will make a special invitation to you to come showcase Ijaw culture in the diaspora. The dance steps were very unique. At some point, they were going Ijaw, and another, Yoruba. That is the product of assimilation, which is normal.”

Kuro Fapohunda thanked the Governor of Bayesla State, INC President, Prof Benjamin Okaba, Comrade Joseph Evah, Taribio Walson-Oweifawari and other Ijaw dignitaries for attending. However, she expressed disappointment over the low turnout and lack of support for the annual Ijaw gathering, and emphasized the need for increased awareness.

"I want to express my appreciation to Admiral Festus Porbeni for leasing his premises for us and his fatherly contributions and advice to the Ijaw Initiative, His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri, the INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, former Spokesman, Ijaw National Congress and Coordinator, Ijaw Monitoring Group, Comrade Joseph Evah, Mr. Ken Etete, Chief Mrs. Komboye Biakpara-Ishola, Mallam Africa, and other well-meaning Ijaw sons and daughters who have continued to show us love against all the odds to bond and promote the unity of the Ijaws in Lagos.".

"There is a huge level of sensitization needed to be done to create awareness of an annual gathering like this. I appealed for support from all lovers of the Ijaw nation, state governments, leaders, and groups to consider the plight of the Ijaw in diaspora in whatever they are doing. However, we are appealing for any support whatsoever from all lovers of the Ijaw nation, the state government, and groups to come to aid. So we can take this festival to the next level." She stated.

Comrade Joseph Evah, Receiving His Award With Mrs Komonibo and Kuro Fapohunda

Comrade Joseph Evah, the Coordinator of the Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), warmly welcomed everyone who attended the ceremony. He highlighted that there is hope for the Ijaw Nation since culture is a dynamic force that brings people together. The Ijaw culture is one of Nigeria's most valuable cultural heritages. The Ijaws are known for their resilience, wealth, diligence, and entrepreneurial spirit. Comrade Evah encouraged the Ijaws to pass on their best qualities to their children and future generations, so that they can create a better tomorrow.

“Our culture, tradition, unity, and love for one another are dying while others are waking up. As we see things in this world, everybody has to mobilize every aspect of their lives. Everybody just went to sleep, forgetting that there is a need for us to mobilize and reawaken ourselves. Young people are the ones reawakening us, not even the elders. We have refused to organize ourselves, but with what is going on, it is like a dream come true. I see hope as our little children are here to witness the event. They’re learning and going to take over from us, as in the next 100 years, we are no more”.

Comrade Evah thanked Ijaw artists, artisans, wrestlers, and cultural performers for their contributions with monetary donations. He also declared that the event would be transformed into a more grandiose spectacle by 2025.

Taribio Walson-Oweifawari and MC Sharp

“I want to greet you all once again. Next year, by the grace of the Almighty God, the crowd here will double. Ijaws in Lagos have the capacity, and come 2025, we are going to see a new innovation in this festival. People will ask questions in 2025. Don’t be discouraged, as we are ready to go the extra mile”. He assured.

The Ijaw Nation Festival, which is organized by Ijaw Initiatives, aims to showcase the importance of preserving our culture in the face of a constantly changing world. We hope that this festival will continue to grow stronger each year and serve as a reminder of the beauty and significance of our cultural roots. The Ijaw Nation Festival Day is a shining example of the unwavering spirit of the Ijaw people in the diaspora, and it is an event that we must look forward to with great anticipation for the future.