The Eze Igbu-Upata III, His Royal Majesty Eze (Dr) Felix Otuwarikpo, has pledged to sustain the annual Igbu-Upata folklore festival as part of efforts to preserve the cultural heritage and unity of the Ekpeye people.
Eze Otuwarikpo committed on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, during the 2026 Igbu-Upata Folklore Festival held at Ula-Upata in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The monarch described the festival, known as Ogwu Ekpeye, as an age-long tradition inherited from the forefathers of the people and an important expression of their cultural identity.
He said the festival provides an opportunity for the people to celebrate love, unity, hospitality and togetherness while passing the history and traditions of the Ekpeye people to younger generations.
According to him, the celebration includes storytelling, traditional dances and other cultural activities across the 21 communities of Upata Kingdom.
He explained that the folklore night traditionally follows the harvest season and provides an opportunity for elders to recount stories of the people’s warriors, victories, challenges and experiences to younger generations.
The monarch also clarified that the festival is sometimes mistakenly regarded as a New Year celebration because it coincides with the period when new yams are harvested.
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He said the celebration, known as Ogu Adanwo, is particularly associated with the celebration of first daughters, in accordance with the tradition handed down by the progenitor of the Ekpeye people.
Eze Otuwarikpo urged the people to maintain peace and unity throughout the festival and beyond, stressing that the occasion had historically been associated with peaceful communal relations.
The monarch said the revival and continuation of the tradition would help preserve the identity of the people for future generations.
Speaking at the event, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the South-South Development Commission, Chibudom Nwuche, urged traditional rulers in Ekpeye land to uphold the dignity of their stools and prioritise the collective interest of their people.
Nwuche called on the monarchs to avoid excessive involvement in partisan politics, speak the truth and protect the interests of youths and women.
Represented by Kingdom Ajugo, he urged traditional rulers to ensure transparency in matters involving oil companies and community benefits, saying young people and professionals with relevant expertise should be allowed to participate in such engagements.
He appealed to Ekpeye traditional rulers to work together to address divisions within the traditional institution and promote unity and development in the area.
Nwuche commended Eze Otuwarikpo for sustaining the cultural heritage of Upata Kingdom and described the establishment of a central palace at Edeoha as one of the developments recorded under his reign.
He also recalled his role in the process that led to the emergence of Eze Otuwarikpo as Eze Igbu-Upata III, saying he had advocated for a transparent electoral process after the death of his father, Eze Clifford Cheta Nwuche.
Nwuche further appealed to youths in Ekpeye land to shun cultism, robbery, rape and other forms of criminality.
He called on individuals who had laid down their arms and renounced criminal activities to be considered for reintegration into society, while urging the authorities to address insecurity in the area.
According to him, insecurity has affected farming, trading and other economic activities in Ekpeye communities.
He cited the killing of the former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada Police Division, SP Bako Angbashim, as an example of the security challenges confronting the area.
Nwuche used the occasion to appeal to the people of Ekpeye ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged them to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and candidates of the Rainbow Coalition, including Rivers State governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda, as well as other candidates associated with the coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He said his position was based on what he described as infrastructure and human capital development projects undertaken during Wike’s tenure as governor of Rivers State.
Nwuche listed several projects in the Ekpeye and Orashi areas, including roads, healthcare facilities, the Ahoada campus of Rivers State University, the upgrading of traditional stools and other infrastructure.
He said he intended to engage communities across Ekpeye and the wider Orashi region to canvass support for the political platform.
Nwuche also appealed to the Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, to consider an amnesty and reintegration programme for repentant cultists who had renounced violence and surrendered their weapons.
He said several appeals had previously been made to the Rivers State Government on the issue.
The festival featured cultural displays and performances by dance groups from various communities, prayers for the monarch and the participation of sons and daughters of Ekpeye land, traditional rulers and other guests.
