When Marshal held Ajegunle spellbound with Ibom Cultural Festival

The memory of Friday 6 and Saturday 7, 2019 will linger in the mind of people of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government popularly known as AJ City, Lagos and its environs after their experiences with Ajekunle Ibom Cultural Festival Season 2 put together by Akwa Ibom Forum Ajegunle (AKIFA), Lagos.

Amb. Marshal Udoh JP, President, AKIFA (2nd l), Comrade Ekpenyong Ekpenyong, chairman of the occasion (1st l), others in a group photograph during the Ajegunle Ibom Cultural Festival Season 2 in Lagos recently.

It was breathtaking, magnificent, spectacular, incredible, awesome display of rich and colourful cultural heritage of Akwa Ibom State in Lagos.

On the first day of carnival, Friday December 6, 2019, the community was mesmerized with different colourful cultural carnival float with dance troupes through major streets in the local government as well as the visit to the Palace of Baale of Oke-Ira.

Day-two, Saturday December 7, 2019 was out-of-this-world experience as there was traditional palm wine red carpet with different cultural displays, different kind of Ekpo masquerades on parade, exhibition of traditional cuisines, symposium with a live band to entertain audience and awards presentations to the deserving recipients.

Also, there  was a presentation from AKIFA’s women mass choir, which renders a heart touching songs like ‘Ebono k’ima’, ‘Edo Keed Nte Ndito Akwa Ibom’ and ‘Nkukut Mkpoyoriyo Eke Sanga Udim Keed’. These songs take us back memory lane of how every Akwa Ibomites used to relate with one another in love, unity which brought about the peace and progress we experienced in the past. The songs encouraged us to return back to the good old path if we really want to make progress.

Another beautiful sight to behold was the Enwongo Band and his sexy dancers, this band make use of gospel and secular songs to thrill the mammoth crowd, who danced and rolled their waist to the rhythm of the music. And many more sight attractions like ntok oriorio, ekpo masquerades, unveiling and displaying of best Akwa Ibom traditional cuisine (Efere Isong, Ayan Ekpang, Asa Akpakpa, Otong, Ekpang Nkukwo, Edita Iwa, Afia Efere, Edikang Ikong, Afang, Editan , Atama), etc.

The crowd was described as an ocean of humanity, this was confirmed by Alhaji Adesina Akanni Ojora, Baale of Alaiyabiagba who was excited and confessed that, since he became Oba of the community, he has never seen a gathering of Akwa Ibom indigenes in such a large number. He pleaded with the organizer that the programme should continue every year.

Hear him: “I’m so excited to be in Akwa Ibom today (referring to the festival), since I became Oba of this community for about eleven years now, I have not seen the gathering of Akwa Ibom indigenes in this number in the community. I’m so happy to be with you, I am having fun here, I must tell you, I’m enjoying myself. I want this to continue every year, I assure you of continuous peaceful co-existence among everyone here irrespective of your tribe and language.”

The chairman of the occasion, Comrade Ekpenyong Ekpenyong, in his welcome address, appreciated the organizer of Ajegunle Ibom Cultural Festival, saying: “This is a welcome development as it is very pivotal for ones to acknowledge, appreciate the rich cultural heritage of where he/she comes from, culture promotes love, unity and development.”

“He continued, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers were together before they were separated by development and boundaries but they are still one, they share almost the same culture, they understood one another’s language, their dressing, foods almost the same, there is need for us to come together as one big family for the purpose of culture, love and development within us.” “He equally advised youths to shun violence as well as all negative vices and embrace peaceful co-existence. They should make sure they go to school and obtain good grades so that when opportunity comes for them to be employed, you will have papers to present. Whenever you come to me for help when there is an opportunity with your papers intact, I will be very glad and always available to help. 

 On that note, I declare this festival open, relax, enjoy and have fun, he concluded.”

Comrade Ekpenyong Ekpenyong and Obongawan (Dr) Theresa Ediang was crowned the Patrons of AKIFA, Lagos.

The deserving awardees in category of Recognition Awards were Prophetess (Mrs) Emem Michael Udoh, Akparawa-awan (Princess) Abigail Asuquo, Akparawa Uko Ime Uffort, Mr Solomon Ekpenyong, Mrs. Glory Ferdinand Thomas. While that of Achievers’ Award category were Barr. (Mrs) Timi Siawe, Hon. Kolawole, Adeboye Paul, Hon Lukmon Olumoh, Hon. Ladi Balogun, High Chief Raphael Popoola, Barr. Silas Udoh, Mr. Ita George Ekanem, Apostle (Dr) E.A. Dan (JP), Obongawan Idongesit Ifot, Hon. Fatai Oluwa, Hon. Pat Tekobo and Mrs Chinenye Priscillia Okereke.

Dignitaries who graced the epoch-making cultural festival are Comrade Ekpenyong Ekpenyong, the chairman of the occasion, Akparawa, Michael Ekpenyong, Akwa Ibom State Liaison officer, Lagos was represented, Barr (Mrs) Siawe Roselyn, Bayelsa State Liaison Officer, Lagos, Hon. Fatai Ajidagba-Ajifat, Chairman Ifelodun LCDA, Lagos, Prince Felix Udoh, President, AKISCOM, Lagos,  Etubom Dr. Samson Samson, International President Akwa-Cross as Father of the Day, Chief Elija Ifot (JP), National Coordinator, Akwa Advancement Group, Chief Etim  Edet, newly crowned Obong Emem of Ibesikpo,  Asutan Ekpe,  Mr Paul Umana, Prophetess (Mrs) Emem Michael S. Udoh, Apostle (Dr) E.A. Dan (JP), Ikot Ekpene Senatorial youths, Lagos led by the amiable youth leader, Mr Ime Usoro and host of others.

Journalists and bloggers from reputable media organisaions such as The Pioneer, Daily Independent newspapers, Temple TV, AKISCOM Voice Magazine, Ibom Celebrities Int’l Magazine, an online news platform were there to capture every moment of the event.