The Apara Committee of Friends have been commended for showcasing the cultural heritage of Obio/Akpor.
Addressing people of Obio/Akpor during the Apara Committee of Friends (ACF) end of year programme at the Rumuepirikom Town Hall, in Obio/Akpor LGA, recently the chairman of Obio/Akpor Prince Timothy Nsirim expressed delight on the members of Apara Committee of Friends for reviving the culture of Obio/Akpor.
According to him, “ACF said the culture of Obio/Akpor will not die I am delighted with what they are doing”.
Prince Nsirim who recalled how he had watched cultural performance in the area twenty years ago expressed joy that he has began to witness it once again in Obio/Akpor, courtesy of ACF and urged all sons an daughters of the area to put in their best to showcase their cultural heritage and congratulated those who participated in the cultural dance.
Nsirim appealed to HRM, Eze S.N Wali the Paramount Ruler of Apara kingdom to revisit the Apara kingdom culture, describing it as important and advised people of the area not to dance with their trousers rather should dance with their wrappers as culture demands.
He said he appreciated the presence of Mr. Chukwuemeka Aaron, the Obio/Akpor PDP chairman, Mr. Solomon Eke the vice chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Henry Odum the leader of Obio/Akpor legislative aim.
He commended Barr. Wike the Minister of State for Education for ensuring his election as the chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, describing him as the political leader and Jesus of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
In his speech, HRH Eze SN Wali, the paramount ruler of Apara kingdom noted that the ceremony geared towards demonstration of the people’s cultural heritage, courtesy of ACF who he said deemed it necessary to ensure peace and unity in the area through the cultural performance.
The royal father who was represented by his Prime Minister, HRH Eze Anderson Chika Worlu highlighted some of the achievements of the ACF such as, ensuring the elevation of the paramount ruler of Apara kingdom second class stool to first class status, award of scholarship to Apara sons and daughters, among others and urged them not to relent in promoting the culture of the area.
He frowned at the manner in which the ACF members put on their trousers while dancing and urged them to always put on their traditional attires whenever they are inviting people in cultural dance ceremony.
Earlier in his speech Hon. Michael Chinda the chairman of the occasion noted that the ceremony was to showcase the cultural heritage of Apara kingdom and named the eight communities of the area that participated in the cultural dance which he said included Rumuepirikom, Rumuola, Eneka, Rumuodalu, Rumuokuta, Rumuorosi, Rumkpoku and Rumuigbo.
In a chat with journalists Barr. Onugbom Onuoha, the President of the ACF described the 2012 end of year ceremony as the best in the history of the organization.
According to him, it has special characteristics and most of the invited guests turned up en-mass which made the event a success.
Barr. Onuoha who was a former commission in the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC revealed that the ACF intends to provide skills acquisition programmes for youths and people of the area. He urged the youths to shun acts capable of ruining their future.
Similarly in a chat with journalists, Mr. Joseph Cool an illustrious son of the Apara kingdom described the ceremony as fantastic, pointing out that the occasion was geared towards revitalization and reawakening of Apara kingdom cultural heritage.
He enjoined people of the area to always imbibe the habit of restoring their cultural heritage as against foreign culture.
Meanwhile the Rumuokuta community has emerged winner of the ACF end of year cultural dance competition.
Rumuadaolu came second, while Rumuepirikom community came third position. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
