By Ambrose Ologide
The people of the ancient Urhobo Kingdom of Agbarha Warri Warri South Local Government Area Delta State have been commended for sustaining the age long Idju-Owhurie Festival popularly known as Agbassa Juju .
Distinguished personalities that spoke to our correspondent during the celebration of this year’s bienniel ( every 2 years ) festival at Otovwodo ( Agbassa) Community Warri on Thursday 7th September ,2023 high lighted the significance of the festival from their different perspectives.
One of the respondents, a renowned Catholic priest, Rev Ft. Dr Ambrose Oghenejode Abaka listed cultural , social , political and business among significances of the popular festival.
Abaka who is an Uvwie and Okpe chief, disclosed that he was born and brought up in the area just as he noted that the festival was a symbol of unity among the Agbarha Warri people and that it was attractive even to non natives because of the beautiful way it was celebrated.
The Chairman of this year’s Idju-Owhurie Festival Committee, Chief Richard Okoro , the leader of Warri South Local Government Council Legislative Arm, Rt Hon Sylvester Ijabor, Dr ( Chief ) Israel Abido , the Unuovwodo of Otovwodo ( Agbassa) Community, High Chief Julius Edafiadjebre JP, the President General of Agbarha Warri kingdom Chief Emmanuel Ememu JP, Comrade Kingsley Orekevwie, Chief Isaac Emiforniye JP, Rt Hon Kingsley Edafiadjebre , Hon Chief Jude Igherebuo, Hon Odafe Ikpuri , Austin Okene Esq and other eminent personalities spoke in the same vein.
A prominent Itsekiri personality, Chief Ayiri Emami was among the highly placed personalities spotted at the very colourful event
