Editorial
IJAW NATION HAS COME OF AGE: IT IS TIME FOR INC TO NEGOTIATE FOR BETTER TREATMENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
IJAW NATION HAS COME OF AGE: IT IS TIME FOR INC TO NEGOTIATE FOR BETTER TREATMENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
The title of this piece was coined from the historic speech of General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, then Nigeria’s Head of State at the 1976 Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of Africa Unity (OAU) at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 11th January, 1976 and it was titled ‘AFRICA HAS COME OF AGE”.
The speech was in reaction to the letter from Gerald Ford the then President of the United States of America that was despatched to African leaders including Nigeria. That of Nigeria was taken to the Dodan Barrack, Nigeria’s seat of power by Mr. Donald Easum who was the US Ambassador to Nigeria.
The content of the letter was so Provocative that General Murtala Ramat Mohammed who had already delegated his Second-in-Command General Olusegun Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo to represent him at the OAU Summit decided to attend the Summit himself where he made the famous speech that we can Google and read the full content of “AFRICA HAS COME OF AGE”.
Sadly, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed was assassinated 34days after that famous speech that has remained ever fresh as guiding light and roadmap for Africa’s nationalistic movement. For the death of General Murtala Ramat Mohammed and the reasons for the dastardly act, we do not need to ask further. The ancient proverb “If a witch cries in the night and a child dies in the morning, we do not go to the soothsayer to ask what killed the child”.
Ijaw people who are among the aborigines of the geographic Niger Delta that they have occupied for centuries as farmers and fisher men and women have contributed more than every other ethnic group or tribe to the socio-economic and political sustenance of the contraption called ‘Nigeria’.
Since the discovery of Crude Oil and Gas at Oloibiri-Otabagi in present day Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in 1956, the Ijaw Nation has continued to shoulder the economic burden of the country that is made up of over 250 distinct ethnic groups and tribes with a population of over 200 million people.
Unfortunately, Ijaws who are found in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, Rivers and other states with Bayelsa State as the only homogeneous Ijaw state have never gotten commensurate treatment or reward from the country by the successive regimes and administrations.
Well over 75% of the crude oil and gas in Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Abia, Imo, Ondo and Rivers States respectively are domiciled in Ijaw territories. Ironically, those areas remain the most backward and most underdeveloped places in those states.
Moving Forward, the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) should organize a Security, Peace, Education and Economic Summit that will bring key and very notable Ijaw leaders together to discuss the fate of our great people in the Nigerian State.
One of the expected outcomes of the Summit or a Courtesy Visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that should precede the Summit should be the demand for the immediate relocation of the Headquarters of all Multinationals to their areas and places of operations. The relocation will not only make the companies to pay relevant taxes to the states, LGAs and Communities where they are operating, it will also make the host communities to benefit adequately.
The leadership should also demand for the immediate decongestion of Seaports in Lagos and for the resuscitation of the Seaports in the Niger Delta particularly the Calabar, Port Harcourt, Onne, Warri, Koko and others. The Federal Government should also collaborate with the Bayelsa State Government to commence the building of Seaports at Agge and Brass.
Ijaws need Oil Blocs. The Federal Government should allocate Oil Blocs to capable Ijaws so that Ijaws can also be Participants in the Oil Business in their land and not relegated to the positions of Spectators and Pipeline Surveillance security.
It is totally unacceptable that the owners of crude oil and gas which is the mainstay of the economy are mere spectators while others who do not even know the colour or smell of crude oil and gas are feeding fat, while the real/original owners are living in misery and abject poverty.
Ijaw Nation Has Come of Age and should no-longer be treated as a conquered people or second class citizens.
Beside the fact that Nigeria started in Ijaw land precisely at Akassa in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State after the infamous Akassa Raid of 1895, Ijaws have continually played pivotal roles in the peace, unity, growth and development of Nigeria.
But for the critical role of Ijaws during the avoidable thirty months Civil War (1967-1970), Nigeria would have been history.
Also, but for the patriotic stance of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, Nigeria would have been in another civil war or would have even disintegrated.
The immeasurable and invaluable sacrifices of the Ijaws should not be mistaken for stupidity or cowardice.
Ijaws deserve better treatment and reward by the federal government instead of the present neglect and total abandonment despite the Billions of Naira and Dollars that are taken away from Ijaw land daily.
Haa Izon!
~~~ Most Senior Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli aka Mirror and Conscience of Society.
Editorial
Amaseikumor Festival: A Cultural Renaissance Rooted in Spiritual Heritage and Regional Influence
The grand finale of the 2026 edition of the Amaseikumor Festival, held on April 11 in the historic Ijaw city of Oporoza, once again reaffirmed the enduring relevance of cultural heritage as both a spiritual compass and a socio-economic catalyst. The week-long celebration, hosted in the traditional headquarters of the Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, brought together a remarkable blend of tradition, spirituality, and modern influence.
For centuries, the Amaseikumor masquerade has stood as a profound symbol of Ijaw cosmology—representing purification, justice, and communal renewal. Its 2026 outing like every other, was not merely a festival but a reaffirmation of identity, echoing the deep-rooted sagacity and spiritual consciousness of the Gbaramatu kingdom and indeed, Ijaw people.
Cultural Significance Beyond Celebration
In recent years, the Amaseikumor Festival has evolved beyond a local cultural display into a major national and international attraction. It has significantly contributed to the resurgence of cultural tourism in the Niger Delta and beyond. Observers note that the festival aligns with broader efforts across Nigeria to preserve indigenous traditions while harnessing them for economic growth.
The masquerade, often described as “the cleanser of the Ijaw nation,” embodies a sacred mission. Its symbolic procession—accompanied by a subordinate “sweeper” masquerade—is believed to cleanse the land of negativity, including conflict, disease, and misfortune. This spiritual interpretation resonates strongly with adherents who view the festival as a divine intervention in societal affairs.
Convergence of Influence and Prestige
The 2026 edition witnessed an impressive gathering of dignitaries across sectors. Among notable attendees were the Governor of Delta State ably represented by his Deputy, Chief Monday Oyeme among many high-level dignitaries from the National Assembly, traditional institutions and more. It remains cogent on record that previous editions have attracted globally celebrated leaders like former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, traditional rulers including His Imperial Majesty , Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the revered Ooni of ancient Ife, political leaders, captains of industry, and globally recognized entertainers.
From the entertainment world, figures such as Davido and Nkem Owoh added glamour to the event, while business magnates and industry leaders underscored its economic relevance. This convergence of influence highlights the festival’s growing stature as a melting pot of culture, commerce, and leadership.
Spirituality and Socio-Economic Impact
Beyond the spectacle lies a deeply spiritual narrative that continues to shape the beliefs and aspirations of many. Devotees attribute personal and communal successes to the influence of the Amaseikumor tradition. Prominent figures such as Government Ekpemupolo, Dennis Otuaro, and Kestin Pondi are often cited as embodiments of the blessings associated with the cultural institution.
While such claims remain matters of faith, there is no denying the festival’s tangible contributions to local economies. Increased visitor inflow stimulates hospitality, transportation, and small-scale commerce, creating opportunities for residents and boosting regional visibility.
A Call for Sustained Cultural Investment and National Adoption
The Amaseikumor Festival stands as a compelling case for the preservation and promotion of indigenous heritage. As Nigeria continues to navigate “glocalization,” cultural assets like Amaseikumor offer a unique avenue for national branding, unity, and economic diversification. It is therefore a good time to call on the Federal Government through its Ministry of Culture and Tourism to adopt Amaseikumor as a “National Festival” taking advantage of not only its reach cultural brand but also the territorial ambience and serenity of the Niger Delta swamps and Atlantic coastlines to attract tourists from across the world.
Other stakeholders—state government, private sector, and cultural custodians—must therefore prioritize investment in infrastructure, security, and documentation to sustain and expand the festival’s impact. Proper structuring could elevate it to the status of globally recognized cultural festivals.
Road to Amaseikumor 2027
As the echoes of drums fade and the masquerade retreats into sacred seclusion, one message remains clear: Amaseikumor is more than a festival—it is a living tradition, a spiritual institution, and a beacon of cultural pride fro the blessedlyproud Ijaw people in general and the Gbaramatus in particular.
For those seeking authentic cultural reconnection, spiritual reflection, and a convergence of Nigeria’s finest across sectors, Oporoza remains an unmatched destination. With anticipation already building for the next edition, the legacy of Amaseikumor continues to grow—rooted in the past, thriving in the present, and poised for a global future.
Written by:
Prince (Dr.) Peretengboro Klintin Bibaikefie
Editor-in-Chief, IduwiniVoice
By Ben. Binebai
The Amaseikumor Festival is a magnificent tapestry of tradition, a veritable confluence where the sacred and the secular entwine in exquisite harmony. It is, in its quintessence, a festival of purity—an unblemished rite that scours the soul of the land. It is a festival of culture, wherein the ancient cadences of our forebears find renewed utterance; a festival of spiritual rejuvenation, where weary spirits are anointed anew at the altar of ancestral grace.
Amaseikumor is a festival that has its megastar hanging and shinning brighly in the sky, a festival of peace, of unity, and of prosperity—a trinity of virtues that, like a masterfully composed triad, adorns the communal soul. It is a festival of love and fraternity, a luminous bridge between man and the legendary animist beings who, from time immemorial, have watched over our creeks and forests. Indeed, it erects intertidal bridges—linking epochs, lineages, and realms—whilst standing as a clarion of cultural affirmation and religious awakening. Here, the covenant betwixt mortals and the divine is not merely remembered but vivified; a healthful and functional communion with the gods is both established and exalted.
The festival bears the imprimatur of the heavens, most memorably during its revival years. In the wondrous year of 2018, when I was accorded the rare and humbling privilege of delivering a lecture, the firmament itself bore witness: thunder intoned its celestial approbation, the heavens darkened in reverent solemnity, and delicate droplets—veritable tears of divine joy—descended upon the congregants. That epiphanic moment was greeted with an impromptu Ogele, as the gallant youths of Gbaramatu, moved by an ecstasy beyond articulation, gave voice to the rapture of the land.
As the parent festival of Gbaramatu, Amaseikumor is not merely a ritual observance; it is a living vestige heritage, a guiding star of identity, and a festival imbued with prodigious tourism potential. To behold it is to witness culture in its most numinous and unadulterated form—a grand pageant where myth, memory, and modernity dance in perennial embrace.
By: Editorial Team
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), often hailed as a beacon of modern development in the Middle East, is a federation of seven emirates—each with its own distinct history, ruler, and cultural identity. Since its unification in 1971, the UAE has stood as a rare example of how traditional monarchies can collaborate to build a stable and globally respected nation.
At the heart of the federation lies Abu Dhabi, the capital and largest emirate, known for its vast oil wealth and political influence. The Al Nahyan family, which leads Abu Dhabi, has played a central role in shaping the UAE’s national vision and foreign policy. The current President of the UAE traditionally comes from this emirate, underscoring its leadership within the union.
Dubai, the shining star of the federation, represents ambition and innovation. Under the leadership of the Al Maktoum family, Dubai has transformed from a desert outpost into a global hub for finance, tourism, and technology. Its breathtaking skyline, led by the Burj Khalifa, has become a symbol of Arab progress and resilience.
Moving beyond the two powerhouses, Sharjah distinguishes itself as the cultural and educational capital of the UAE. Led by the Al Qasimi family, it has preserved the emirates’ artistic heritage while promoting academic excellence through its numerous universities and museums.
The smaller emirates-Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah-each add unique character and strength to the federation. Ajman, the smallest, thrives on trade and manufacturing; Umm Al-Quwain offers a peaceful charm along its quiet shores; Ras Al Khaimah, nestled against the Hajar Mountains, is known for its natural beauty and growing industrial base; and Fujairah, facing the Gulf of Oman, plays a strategic maritime role in the region’s economy.
Despite their differences in size and resources, the seven emirates remain bound by shared values, mutual respect, and visionary leadership.Their collective success story reflects not only unity but also the ability to balance tradition with progress.
Over five decades after its founding, the UAE continues to prove that cooperation among monarchies can yield a modern, forward-looking state-one that honors its past while boldly stepping into the future. The federation’s model of governance offers an enduring lesson in leadership, stability, and nation-building in a region often defined by division.
Photo Credit: shuterstock