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GOVERNOR ODODO PRESENTS N3 BILLION TO 80 COMMUNITIES IN KOGI STATE

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has presented the sum of three billion Naira (3,000,000,000) to over 2,381 direct beneficiaries in over 170 groups from 80 communities impacted by climate change under the Community Revolving Fund of the Agro-climate Resilience in Semi-arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in partnership with the World Bank Group. Performing the presentation of cheques at the Government House in Lokoja on Monday, Governor Ododo said the Community Revolving Fund is in line with his administration’s commitment to ensure food security and sustainable agricultural practices in the State. Governor Ododo who assured that the Kogi State government will continue to provide enabling environment for the success and sustenance of the ACReSAL project, noted that the effort is in furtherance of the development agenda of the state to increase the adoption of sustainable landscape management, and to strengthen the long-term framework for integrated climate resilience lan...

Reforming Ebira Masquerade Festivals for Peace and Prosperity

By Onimisi Nurudeen The "cultural heritage" of Ebira masquerades holds a unique place in the hearts of some people of Kogi Central, like every other tribe in Nigeria. This tradition transcends the average religious-minded individuals and unites them in celebration, creating memories cherished by many. However, the recent events involving clashes between masquerade supporters and security personnel, coupled with persistent disruptions to public order, underscore the urgent need for reform in how these festivals are conducted. The Kogi State Government, through its Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has a golden opportunity to address these challenges while preserving and elevating the "beauty" of the Ebira masquerade tradition. Establishing a well-coordinated central cultural ground or arena for masquerade displays can transform these festivals into a harmonious and celebrated cultural event. This dedicated space would serve multiple purposes: 1. A Safe Pla...

One Injured As Masqueraders Clash With Soldiers in Okene

Heavy gunshots rang through the town of Okene today when followers of a popular masquerade engaged in a violent confrontation with men of the Nigerian Army. An eye witness who spoke with EbiraView Media on condition of anonymity narrated the trail of event that led to the violent clash. Acoording to the eye witness accounts, trouble started when a soldier in mufti was accosted in Okene town and was beaten by a masquerade known as Akamawu from Kuroko community of Adavi local government. The soldier was said to have reported the encounter to his colleagues guarding CCECC expatriates staff yard around  Inoziomi area. EbiraView Media further gathered that as the masquerade and the followers approached the Inoziomi community, they were ambushed by the military men around Kahal Cinema area and then started firing into the air to disperse the crowd before descending on the masquerade. The masquerade was reported to have been heavily molested by the uniform men till the costume...

Masquerade is not part of Egbira Culture, Prof Abere Declares, By Bilal Mohammed

A Professor of history and the Provost of National Defence College Abuja, Professor Adam Ahmed Abere has stated that farming, craft making are the culture of Egbira people and that masquerade was never part of the history of Egbira people. According to the professor, it is a borrowed culture which is been practiced by many ethnic groups like Igbo, Yoruba, Igala and host of others in Nigeria. The Professor, in his keynote address at the annual lecture of Egbira Progressive Elites, Area 10, Abuja emphasises on the preservation and documentation of Egbira history, saying proper document will help our children from consuming the conjecture and fabrication history. According to him, the history of Egbira is long one; language, the people and their land, their culture before 10th century, Egbira people existed at the Northeast, by 14th century they flourished in central Nigeria around the current Gongola Rivers, Taraba, Benue, Adamawa etc.Thereafter, they moved into the current a...

Yuletide Season: Women Affairs Commissioner Celebrates With Special Children, Commend Gov. Ododo For The Joyful Season

The honourable commissioner for women Affairs and social development, Hajia Fatimah Momoh has extended love and support to orphanages and children with special needs in commemoration of the yuletide season. Honourable Fatimah donated food items and cash gifts to orphanage homes and school for special children across Lokoja metropolis as a gesture of love and care from the Governor Ododo led administration. While delivering food items to Stagy Orphanage in Adankolo, the commissioner commended the uncommon commitment of the compassionate Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo in putting smiles on the faces of Kogi citizens particularly the less privileged during this festive season. Hon. Fatimah noted that beside the early payment of salary to ensure timely preparation of the yuletide season for Kogi civil servants, he equally donated food items to both the workers and the needy to make the celebration a memorable one for all. The c...

OHINOYI EBIRA RECEIVED “ROYAL FATHER OF THE YEAR” AWARD

It was a moment of joy as His Royal Majesty, Ohinoyi Ebira, Alh. (Dr.) Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, was honored with the prestigious African Hero Award as the Traditional Ruler of the Year 2024. This recognition was bestowed upon him by Africa Image Communication for his outstanding contributions to community development, promoting peace, unity, and cultural heritage. The award ceremony, held at the Ayonete Hotel and Suites in Lokoja, was attended by distinguished guests, including academicians, government officials, business leaders, and diplomats. They praised His Royal Majesty for his selfless leadership, noting that he treats everyone with love, concern, and fairness, regardless of their background or tribe. His Royal Majesty's numerous initiatives and projects have had a profound impact on the community, promoting unity and peace. The CEO of Africa Image Communication, Mr. Charles Owa, emphasized that the nation could learn from His Royal Majesty's wisdom, part...

Ita-Ini Oguntoro Egbira Opete; Our Heritage! Our Identity

For quite a while now, less than a year, after the ascension of HRM, Alhaji Dr Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, Ohinoyi Egbira, to the throne, many natives are witnessing a sudden trend and usage of native apparels especially the traditional woven clothes popularly known and called Ita-Inochi amongst the Egbira Opetes.  Authoritative historical documents and oral narrations have it that Egbira men were known as warlords, herbal medicine practitioners, farming, hunting, carvings, fishing and even black smithing chores were a dominant Republicans in the old Kwararafa kingdom.  The women folks of Egbiras are well known for domestic schedules, cooking, harvest duties in the farms, child bearing  and the most pronounced earlier recorded history of Egbira women vocation and trade is cloth weaving, starting from sowing of cotton seeds, harvesting cotton wool, spurning the wool to fine threads and eventually in an intrinsic manner wove clothings from locally constructed o...