Images of Ebiraland

Held by Media Conference Ltd. on Saturday, 24 February 2007 at the Women Development Centre, Central Area Abuja, the event was the first of its kind. The past heroes of Ebiraland were honoured even in their wordly absense. Being the first of its kind, the event, chaired by Nigeria Former President, Genreal Ibrahim Babangida who was represented by Alhaji Mahmoud Waziri, witnessed eminent personalities from Ebiraland and across Nigeria. Though the current political activites in the country prevented many invited guests from attending, the atmosphere smelt class. After the opening prayer by Mall. Onogu, the guest were called to the high table. The event began with the introduction of the Organising committee, Media Conference Ltd and the higlight of 'The Heritage' a book launched at the event which was written as a tribute to Late Sheikh Ahmad Rufai, by Mall. Suleiman of the Weekly Trust Newspaper ..to be continued.

As the roads were swept, the women danced and the youths chanted! Those who were 'sweeping' had a bigger objective than the ordinary domestic sweeping. Though Okene roads may not be as dirty as those of Lagos, the need to clean the road to lugard house come 2007 cannot be over-emphasised. There was a huge expression of hope on the faces of the youths and women alike as they danced towards the rally ground. At about 10:30 am, sunday the 25th of february 2007, many were set for the flag off campaign of Senator Muhammed S. Ohiare, the Action Congress (A C) gubernatorial candidate for Kogi state. As the procession advanced, the drummers beat the rythm while the youths charged the crowd with Ohiare/ Ac praise songs. Our team followed the procession towards the magnificent Azad palace, enjoying what seemed a carnival of the Ebiras. A specially built buses raced through the streets, conveying youths carrying bunch of brooms, the A C symbol of a commitment to 'sweeping' People

ORIGIN OF THE FESTIVAL There are few accounts of how the festival started. However, the differences inthese accounts are not fundamental. Generally, Ireba Eku (masquerade cult) wasbelieved to have been formed under the divine instruction of God to check the excesses of women, apart from serving as ancestor worship. Myth has it that aftercreating man and woman as husband and wife, one day God sent for the man but hewas too busy to honour the call. Instead, he requested his wife to heed God’s call onhis behalf. God gave her Irakwo (an egg-like object that contains the secrets of lifeand has the capacity to manifest supernatural powers) for her husband. Having dis-coveredits contents and being fascinated by them, she hid it in her uterus and laterswallowed it without giving it to her husband. She thereafter became quite powerful,performing supernatural feats as turning into any animal and changing back to ahuman being. She could instantly grow wings to fly around in astral travels. She al

We are are now bringing our readers, videos of Ebira events and happenings from Ebiraland and beyond. (this videos are obtained with persmissions from the producers!) They are clips from Ebira Videos to keep your day, if they work for you, please let us know and don't forget to share them with other Anebira and your freinds and colleagues. Send your feedback to ebiraview@gmail.com or fill the feedback form at the foot of the page. The Clips: A scene from 'Isuoza (Death)' by Calabash Film Productions. Amewuru seeks refuge from 'Death' The 'Death ridder' (Akaramuda)meets death As fate would have it, this was the last movie by Amewuru. He died few months after. He was shot dead in his home (in the late hours of the night) for being a PDP member, during the April 2007 general election which threw Ebira into heavy chaos over the Kogi state Gubernatorial race. The movie sold more after the sad event of Amewuru's demise. Many observed that his role

Now Released ! The maiden edition of the Magazine focuses on Ebira clothes and Ebira women. The feature page is for Ebiras in Diaspora where we intend to feature the achievements of our brothers and sisters far away from home. They have identified with us and are willing to keep the page. For wider circulation across Nigeria and even beyond, this Edition will be distributed free to Public offices, Higer institution campuses, Ebira owned business locations, fast food joints, Hotels in Kogi state, Goverment offices across the state, Ebira organisations in Lagos, Abuja and more. Interested individuals are expected to pick a free copy from major news stands across Ebiraland while handy distributions will be done at gatherings like the jumat prayer, sunday services in churches and other places. We currently have advertorials from such companies as Lubcon Oil, Grand Oil, Ebira Peace Projects (E P P-Lagos), PrepaidNigeria.com, Ess Project Concepts, Ohiare 2007 Camapign Team, Lagos, EHI Cultu

Elsewhere, their contributions to human development not only in terms of the household are invaluable and emblazoned in gold. They occupy very important positions in all spheres of human endeavour. In recognition of those invaluable contributions, holidays are declared in their honour, streets, festivals and institutions are named after them. Cultures that fail to properly harness their power suffer irredeemably as a consequence.Nationally, giant strides are being made towards empowering them and towards the utilisation of their immense talent. However, there are still obstacles in pockets of geographical locations notably in northern Nigeria where women are victims of the purdah, the practise of segregation, seclusion and confinement. Ebira might be islamising very rapidly, safe for a minority radical fringe, we are not about to put barrier between the genders and confine our women behind the curtains. Having said that, there is still very much to be desired in terms of empowering wo

Adapted from a paper; The Epitome of Academic & Tradition, presented by his daughter, Princess Nana Hauwa Yussuff, of Radio (FM) Kogi, during the coronation ceremony on Sunday, 26th November 2006, in Okene, Kogi state. (Pictures by EbiraView). Born in 1944 and hails from Adavi-Eba (Upopo-Uvete) in Apasi group of clans in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi state, HRH Dr. Bello Asuku Ibrahim, who is married and blessed with auspicious children, attended the then I.N.A Central School Okene between 1955 and 1960 and later trained as a Grade Two Teacher at Okene Teachers’ College (OTC) from 1962 to 1966. In 1967, he enrolled at the Advanced Teachers’ College, Kano where he obtained an NCE preparatory for entry into the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) for the B.Sc. (Hons) between 1974 and 1977, with speciality in Health and Physical Education. In pursuance of his academic quest, he obtained a Master Degree in Education from the University of Ilorin, Kwara state in 1987. To further q