Culture/Tourism
Forest Dance Of Isiokpo People
Cultural dances still remain a huge recreational activity in which the local communities come together and do things in common.
It is very difficult to separate the Riversman from cultural activities of his people no matter how highly placed that individual may be in the society. Each given moment of his life, he always want to show the world who he is in terms of culture.
The Rivers man would do every thing within his reach to ensure that the cultural activities around him did not die in his own time. Some go as far as inviting friends and well wishers from abroad to witness the cultural performance of their people.
Friday, May 14, 2010 was one of the days that the entire chiefs of Esara Kingdom, donned with their traditional attires to dance to rythem of Forest cultural dance of Isiokpo in the honour of one its recently crowned chiefs, the Akaji aku I of Oro Esara Kingdom, Eze Elewa Franklyn Elewa.
The Forest cultural dance whose sounds and rythem was too tempting, pushed the Oro-Esara Council of Chiefs, including the Eze Esara himself, HRM Eze Dr Jobson .A. Utchay to the dancing ground almost unconsciously.
The cultural troop, is one of the floats from Ikwerre local government that have been adding colour to the Rivers State annual cultural display (CARNIRIV).
Exprssing joy, the Akaji aku I of Oro-Esara, has promise to support cultural activities around him. He said that he will bring some sophisticated instruments in order to boost the cultural activities of his people.
According to him, there was nothing wrong in one supporting or promoting the culture and tradition of his people.
The bad aspect of it he noted, should be eradicated inorder to make it more attractive.
He maintained that cultural dances and others still remain a huge recreational activity in which the local communities come together and do things in common.
The young Esara chief revealed that cultural activities in the state are now at a decline due to the abandonment of such activities by the rich class who felt that they have outgrown such stage. He explained that if all hands can be on deck, cultural activities alone can put food in the table of every Riversman.
He stressed that he will use his position as a chief not only to correct some wrongs in Esara Kingdom, but to bring a positive change to the entire kingdom especially in the areas of cultural activities.
Eze Elewa, noted that he will use his office as a chief, to enhance and encourage programmes that will bring upliftment to the people of Esara Kingdom.
He blamed those who have decided to promote other countries and states by abandoning the cultural heritage of their own soil and practicing cultures that are alien to the people . He regretted that most young people today do no longer know the cultural activities of their own people due to what he described as too much dependence on westernisation.
The Esara chief informed The Tide on Sunday, that though he is still young , but his age will not prevent him from upholding the culture and tradition of the Esara people, which according to him, is unique among the cultural activities in the East of the Niger.
He further told this medium that his selection as a chief and his subsequent crowing as the Akaji Akwu I of Esara was not lobbed for, but a well merited favour his support and contribution to the development and growth of Esara kingdom brought to him.
The Eze pointed that it could have been a king of foul play should his name were not norminated as those to be crowned chief in Esara kingdom due to his level of commitment in the area.
One of those who spoke at the Epoch making event, was the chairman of Esara kingdom council of chiefs/paramount ruler of Ekoozu, HRH Iweh J. Woko, he told the new Esara chief not to be hostile saying that it is against the culture and tradition of the people.
The Eze Ozu II, noted that the culture and tradition of a people do not necessarily mean dancing and other physical activities, but a total way of behaviour of a particular people.
Eze Woko maintained that it is against the culture of Esara people to involve themselves in evil doings especially the chiefs who he said are the custodians of the people.
He argued that it is not also expected of him (Eze Elewa) to take bribes or pervert justice, but should be upright in all his doings as a chief even as he plans to promote the cultural heritage of the Esara Kingdom.
Describing Chief Elewa as burden bearer and a servant, he advised him to shun youthful exuberant, and have listening ears in order to enable him uphold the cultural heritage of the people as he plans.
One of Chief Elewa’s children, Prince Joel Elewa Frank, who was full of joy and praises for his father, pointed out that he would be a part of all his father’s projects in order to make him succeed as the Akaji Aku I of Esara Kingdom.
Prince Elewa Frankly, explained that his father’s throne may not go through unless the children and wife (now Achachaa Franklyn Elewa) are of a good support to him.
Earlier, he has lauded the Esara Kingdom for the honour done his father, as he also praised his father’s plans to promote the cultural heritage of the Esara Kingdom.
Wife of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Ijeoma Emeka, has visited Onne Police Divisional Headquarters.
The visit of the Police Commissioner’s wife last week was geared towards familiarising herself with the police officers’ wives and attending to their needs.
The CP’s wife’s entourage was received on that day by the Onne Divisional Police Officer.
Ijeoma, in her remarks, said her mission was to familiarise herself and synergies with wives of police officers under her as regards their welfare
She emphasised the cleanliness of the barracks and working relationship to achieve the desired objective
Earlier, the Onne Divisional Police Officer, CSP Ugochukwu Ijeoma expressed gratitude to the CP’s wife for finding time to visit the Division.
CSP Ijeoma described her visit as a welcome development, saying the lectures delivered by the CP’s wife were memorable.
He said the inspection of the barracks was done in a novel manner and said the visit would improve the welfare of the women.
Ijeoma while speaking with newsmen said she has taken into account the state of the women under her as well as bettering their lives.
She said some palliatives were distributed by her., describing it as a rare privilege to host the wife of the Commissioner of Police
The Onne Divisional Police Officer urged residents of the area to be law-abiding and give the police relevant information that could lead to the apprehension of criminals.
He said the fight against crime must be a collective responsibility as the police are ever ready to cooperate with everyone to reduce crime.
Mr Echeng Eworo, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), has urged the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to shun bribery in the discharge of their duties.
Eworo, in charge of Zone nine, Umuahia, gave the charge yesterday during his one-day working visit to Ebonyi State Police Command, Abakaliki.
He said that the measure would ensure good service delivery to the people and also bring about free crime society for the citizens.
“You should keep on doing the good work of ensuring a free crime society for the citizens.
“You must shun all sorts of bribery, as the law will not allow anyone found wanting to go unpunished.
“Do not shy away from your responsibilities. Always stand for the right thing for effective protection of the people,” he said.
The AIG described the police as the leading agency in the protection of lives and property, urging the personnel to embrace professionalism on the job.
“The police is all about the people. Always ensure that you protect them, be objective and do what is right. Remember that all the units in the command were set up for a reason in crime fighting processes,” the AIG said.
Earlier, Mrs Augustina Ogbodo, the Ebonyi Commissioner of Police, thanked the AIG for the visit, adding that the personnel in the state had been dedicated to their duties.
Ogbodo, who gave a brief breakdown of her achievements since her assumption of office as 26th Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, said the personnel had nabbed suspected fraudulent employment syndicates in the state.
Other suspects arrested include suspected kidnappers, cultists, robbers as well as recovery of arms of various kinds.
She commended the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and the AIG on their supports to the officers and men in the command and promised to do more work at ensuring peaceful environment for the people.
Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), have eliminated scores of Boko Haram terrorists and rescued abducted victims in recent encounters in the Lake Chad Basin region.
The Chief of Military Public Information Office for MNJTF, Lt.-Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in N’Djamena, Chad.
Adegoke said the troops of MNJTF Sector 4 in Niger, while on patrol along Kara–Diffa Road on Jan. 9, 2023, intercepted four persons suspected to be Boko Haram/ISWAP logisticians conveying about 1,000 litres of fuel.
He said the fuel was cleverly concealed in plastic bags inside a Toyota Highlander Jeep and was being transported from Maine Soroa to the Lake Chad Islands, possibly to suspected terrorists.
He added that the sum of N650,000 was also recovered hidden in the vehicle, saying that suspects and exhibits were in custody of MNJTF Sector 4 for further investigations.
Adegoke said the troops of Sector 3 (Nigeria), had in another incident on January 11, 2023, repelled an attempted infiltration by the Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals due to superior firepower.
He said that two terrorists were killed at the end of the encounter and one Rocket Propelled Grenade, seven bombs, two 60mm mortar bombs, 36 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, seven mortar chargers and two wooden canoes were recovered.
According to him, the canoes were promptly destroyed.
“Similarly, on Sunday, unspecified number of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists also attempted to infiltrate Monguno in MNJTF Sector 3 (Nigeria) in the early hours of the morning but met the gallant and alert troops.
“Troops engaged the criminals in a fire fight forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
“The unrelenting troops pursued and engaged the criminals along their withdrawal routes neutralising three criminals while many fled with gunshot wounds.
“The troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle and 2 magazines after the encounter.
“Regrettably, a soldier paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in this encounter.
“Five young men suspected to have been abducted were rescued by the troops while five brand new boxer motorcycles were also captured from the terrorists during the encounter.
“Efforts are being made to ascertain the origin of the motorcycles and how they were smuggled into the Lake Chad Islands while the rescued young men are being profiled in the Sector Headquarters before further processing,” he said.
MNJTF spokesman further said that a total of 70 terrorists surrendered to troops of Sector 4 MNJTF (Niger) and troops of Sector 1 (Cameroon).
He said the surrendered terrorists would be treated in line with standard procedures for such surrenders which would include interrogation and profiling by the relevant authorities.
He added that the Force Commander (FC), Maj.-Gen. Abdul-Khalifah Ibrahim, had enjoined the troops to continue to maintain resilience and offensive posture until the criminals surrendered totally or are defeated completely.
According to him, the force commander reaffirmed the fact that the terrorists have been severely degraded and there is need to finally finish them off.
“He reminded the Force of the obligation they have to observe international humanitarian laws and to be professional at all times.
“The FC praised the courage and determination of the troops of the MNJTF and their commanders and paid tribute to the fallen hero and passed his deep condolences to the soldier’s family.
“He called on the people of Lake Chad basin region to continue to support the MNJTF and other security forces with useful information to help bring this conflict to an end.