Culture/Tourism
CARNIRIV Adopts Opbo Boat Regatta
Boat regatta is a major celebration to most communities in Rivers State. It forms part of their history and tradition. The Rivers man history, especially the riverine people would not be complete without the long canoe. It is a special place in the development of the communities.
This trade became defined by the interest of the mercantile business groups or trading blocks from European countries. The long canoe made economic sense in transporting palm produce and other locally made goods from the hinter land to the coast. This was in exchange for coral beads, gold and other luxury items or factory goods bought by European traders.
At this stage, the long canoe defined the scope of the business or a statement of the volume of trade between groups. It was the main economic venture of the indigenous coastal and hinterland societies.
Boat regatta is a celebration of such a statement of economic and political success. When decorated with buntings and flags as well as the proper number of paddlers in their set attire swinging in rhythm to the drumming on board, the long canoe becomes a regatta outfit. It is a symbol of the political …… and health of each chieftaincy or War Canoe House.
When it donned with canoes as a gunboat, the long canoe served to police the waterway or enforce the will of a city state on a trade route. In many communities in the state (Rivers), the regatta boats are displayed in boat sheds called aru-wari.
These boats are usually kept in the open without their full range of fittings. Tourists are free to take pictures of different kinds without interference from any person.
Boat regatta showcased achieved a popular niche with the emergence of the Opobo International Boat Racing And Regatta Festival (OIB). Culture and Tourism learnt that the OIB was launched on January 4-6, 2007 in Opobo Town as a canoe race and regatta competition.
The Opobo boat regatta now serves as both a water-sport and cultural fiesta. It also indigenised some features of long canoe races organised by the Dragon Boat International Federation, in order to cut its identity as an international attraction for enthusiasts of the sport.
Today, the Opobo Boat Regatta (OBR) is now incorporated into the annual festival (CARNIRIV) organised by the Rivers State Government. The OBR is now to serve as one of the approved floats to be displayed at this year’s CARNIRIV celebration.
Culture and Tourism, was informed that the state governor says it will partner with the Opobo people to make it an annual culture festival (CARNIRIV) if it meets the set standard required for this year’s edition.
The Tide On Sunday learnt that the Governor Amaechi made statement during his Town Hall meeting with the people of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area at the King Jaja of Opobo Town last week.
According to Amaechi, the state government would direct the committee for the 2010 CARNIRIV to incorporate the boat regatta into this year’s edition which could be of international ranking.
He noted that Opobo Kingdom possesses the right potentials to compete with any other city in the country, saying that the Opobo Boat Regatta was one of such events that could attract attention to the area if properly packaged.
He revealed that all the people of Opobo/Nkoro as well as other costal communities in the state need to drive the economy of the area were there is land and link roads, stressing that the state government was tackling these challenges one after the other.
On that note, he stressed that, that was what gave rise to the state government’s decision to carry out extensive land reclamation in the area and approve the diversion of the Unity Road from Asarama.
The ball is now right in the court of the Opoboans whether or not to keep the promise of the governor alive.
Culture and Tourism have over the years described by analysts that is (culture/Tourism) is the only venture that can replace the oil industry. The argument is that it brings a kind of excitement that brings back even the “dead”.
Some maintained that culture and tourism should be incorporated into the school system where the young minds will be taught the need to keep culture and tourism as a habit.
They regretted that some tourism sites in the state were out of form. According to them, if some of those sites were refurbished, it will, among other things provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.
Though, they expressed satisfaction over the state governor’s decision to incorporate the Opobo Boat Regatta into CARNIRIV.
According to them, the inclusion of the Opobo Boat Regatta into the Rivers annual Festival (CARNIRIV) will provide both recreational activities and income for the Opobo people.
Earlier, they have called on Governor Amaechi to fish out more coastal communities that have similar culture with the Opobo people and co-opt them into the CARNIRIV annual festival.
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.