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Amaseikumor festival: Our culture is our identity, we must preserve it – Keyamo
Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has urged Nigerians to leverage on the strength of culture and tradition to promote sustainable peace and national unity.
Keyamo made the call on Friday at the grand finale of the 2025 annual Gbaraun-Egbesu Ibolomobo-Ere & Amaseikumor festival.
The festival was held at Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.
The funfair and carnival-like ceremony attracted Nigerians across ethnic and regional divides to Oporoza Community to celebrate with the peace-loving people.
Sons and daughters of the Gbaramatu kingdom within and in the diaspora, dressed in traditional colourful attires danced along with the masquerades to the admiration of the visitors.
Keyamo, while chatting with newsmen on the significance of the celebration, said that festivals such as the Amaseikumor was a unifying factor in the country
“You can see how people from diverse background gathered here at Oporoza to rejoice with our brothers and sisters.
“So, Nigerians need to utilise culture and tradition to sustain our unity and peaceful co-existence,” he said.
The minister who likened the Amaseikumor festival to the Argungun festival in the Northern Nigeria, commended the people of Gbaramatu kingdom for sustaining the ancient festival.
“Amaseikumor festival represents the people of Niger Delta.
“We must do everything as a people to preserve our culture and traditions, this is our identity as a people,” Keyamo said.
Also speaking, Mr Alhassan Yahaya, National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), commended the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom for the Amaseikumor festival.
According to him, the festival is a way of preserving the Nigeria rich cultural heritage.
Yahaya encouraged other ethnic groups and tribes in the country to showcase their culture to the world in such a fashionable manner as the Gbaramatu people.
“Nigerians should promote things that will bring unity to the country
“May God grant the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom the grace and strength to preserve their culture through the Amaseikumor festival,” he said.
On his part, Mr Sheriff Mulade, National Coordinator, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), called for peace and unity among the various ethnic groups in the country.
Mulade who is an indigene of Gbaramatu kingdom, said that the essence of the Amaseikumor festival was to promote peace among the Ijaws and Nigerians.
The environmentalist urged political figures to take advantage of the festival and promote peace in their respective domains.
“It is important for us to work as a people in unity because there will be peace across the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large,” Mulade said.
Recall that Amaseikumor festival which came into being at about 14 AD is one of the ancient traditional celebrations handed down by the Gbaramatu ancestors and to be celebrated by the people annually.
The significance of the festival means so much to the people as it provides good life, peace, unity, prosperity and protections to the people.
Beyond that, the Amaseikumor festival is an
ancient deity that emanated from the river and it is being celebrated by the entire Gbaramatu kingdom in accordance with the rules and regulations.
However, it is worthy to mention that the week-long event witnessed many activities including traditional dance from the various communities in the kingdom as well as provision of free medical services among others.
Dignitaries from all works of life attended the grand finale of the annual festival.
Among them were: Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Julius Pondi, member representing Burutu Federal Constituency.
Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, member representing Warri Federal Constituency, Hon. Ben Etanabene, member representing Sapele, Okpe and Uvwie Federal Constituency and several serving lawmakers in the National Assembly.
Also in attendance were several serving lawmakers at the Delta and Bayelsa States Houses of Assembly and top government functionaries.
Others were royal fathers including: Benjamin Ikenchuku, the Dein of Agbor, King Monday Whiskey, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Maj.-Gen. Felix Mujakpero (rtd) and King Godwin Ogoifo, Pere of Olodiama Kingdom in Edo State and several traditional rulers.
Also joined as contemnor is the Medical Director, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Dr Unaogu Ngozika.
The duo are said to have disobeyed an order of court which ordered the immediate reinstatement of Prof Monday Igwe as the Medical Director.
A judgement of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, had nullified the appointment of Dr. Unaogu as the Medical Director of the Hospital and ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe as the Medical Director following the declaration that the earlier termination of his appointment is null and void.
Recall that Justice E. D. Subilim of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, had on 11th December 2025, delivered a judgment in which he ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe to office as the Medical Director after he declared the earlier termination of his appointment as null and void and also nullified the later appointment of Dr. Unaogu Ngozi.
The court found that the termination of Prof. Monday Igwe’s appointment did not follow laid down disciplinary procedure.
It also held that the appointment of Dr. Unaogu Ngozi during the pendency of the suit in which she was a party rendered it a nullity.
However, several months after the judgement was served on the Defendants, they have refused to comply with the judgment orders.
Lawyer to the plaintiff, Mr. Michael O. Okorie, Esq, had told the court that Ngozi Unaogu “has continued to perform the functions of office, including awarding contracts, bank transactions, staff appointments and other official functions despite her appointment having been declared a nullity with the legal effect that contractors and bankers dealing with her are doing such at their own peril, especially as the said judgment has not been stayed by any order for stay of execution.”
Okorie has consequently filed and served Form 48-Notice of consequence of disobedience of court orders-against the Minister of state, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Unaogu, the Medical Director.
According to the lawyer, “the Minister of State is the supervising minister who issues/conveys/signs appointment letters to the Medical Director of the Hospital on behalf of the President.
“It is time for the Minister of State to reassess his legal team at the Ministry so that they do not end up misleading him into running foul of the law which he has sworn to protect as public servant.”
Meanwhile, court documents obtained by our correspondent show that the contempt proceeding was initiated pursuant to Order IX, Rule 13(1-3) of the Judgment (Enforcement) Rules, Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, 2004, Order 63 of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (Civil Procedure).
“TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directions contained the order of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division delivered on the 11th December, 2025 which declared null and void the termination of appointment of the Applicant, Prof. Monday Igwe, nullified the appointment of DR. UNAOGU NGOZICHUKWU NNEKA as the MEDICAL DIRECTOR, FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE, and ordered the re-instatement of Prof. Monday Igwe as the Medical Director of the FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE, and also, ordered the payment of the arrears of salary to Prof. Monday Igwe, you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison. A copy of the said order of court earlier served on you is hereby annexed for your on-the-spot reference.
“This Court has been informed that as at today, Tuesday, 14th April, 2026 that DR. UNAOGU NGOZICHUKWU NNEKA has continued to perform functions of the office of the MEDICAL DIRECTOR, FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE while Prof. Monday Igwe has not been reinstated to office in utter disregards to the subsisting orders of this Honourable Court which execution has not been stayed,” the court notice already served on the alleged contemnors read.
Dr Unaogu and her lawyers could not be reached by The Advocate at the weekend to ascertain why she has not vacated the office of the Medical Director as ordered by the Industrial court in Abuja.
which ordered her to vacate the Medical Director of the hospital has not been
By LUCY OSUIZIGBO-OKECHUKWU
Brig.-Gen. Uche Nnabuihe has raised concern over low enlistment from the South-East, revealing Anambra recorded only 117 applications out of 38,000 nationwide.
Nnabuihe led an Army delegation to sensitise youths in Awka, noting the figure was recorded on April 7, before a nationwide awareness campaign began.
He said the exercise aimed to encourage more youths from Anambra and the South-East to join the 91 Regular Recruits Intake before the May 27 deadline.
“We observed with concern that out of 38,000 applications received nationwide, only 117 came from Anambra as of April 7.
“This sensitisation is to correct that imbalance and encourage our youths to take advantage of opportunities in the Nigerian Army,” he said.
Nnabuihe urged eligible youths to apply, noting the Army offers a structured career path and opportunities for national service.
Lt.-Col. Ogbemudia Osawe said training infrastructure had expanded, with new institutions in Abakaliki and Osogbo to accommodate incoming recruits.
Osawe listed benefits, including career progression, regular pay, continuous military education, specialised training, and exposure to diverse cultures.
He added personnel enjoy welfare packages, free medical care for families, pensions, gratuities, and opportunities for international assignments.
Permanent Secretary, Anambra Ministry of Youths, Ifeatu Emodi, commended the initiative, describing military enlistment as crucial for South-East youths.
Emodi said declining interest among youths stemmed from misconceptions and misinformation about the Army.
Traditional ruler, Igwe Michael Okeke-Uche of Enugwu-Agidi, praised the Army’s welfare structure and urged youths to enlist for better regional representation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the sensitisation held at the Ministry of Youths in Awka, attracting a cross-section of young people. (NAN)
By IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERI-UWOM
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of a U.S.-based Nigerian physician, Dr Uzoma Nwaubani, who was in the state for a medical mission.
Otti, in a condolence message signed by him and issued on Friday in Umuahia, said that he received the news of her passing with shock, describing her as a dedicated and compassionate medical practitioner.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Government in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) organised a five-day free medical outreach that held from April 13 to April 17.
The governor noted that the late Nwaubani was a member of the association and had returned to Nigeria with her husband and daughter, a final-year medical student in the United States, to provide free medical services to residents of Abia.
He said that while participating in the ongoing medical outreach, she developed a medical emergency and was immediately taken to a hospital.
According to him, a team of ANPA and local medical experts worked together to provide urgent critical care in a bid to save her life.
“Despite the gallant efforts of the highly skilled medical team to resuscitate her, she could not make it,” Otti said.
The governor extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, her loved ones, and members of ANPA, adding that the state government was already in communication with her family and the leadership of the association.
He promised that the government would provide the necessary support to the bereaved family and ANPA during the period of mourning.
Otti also commended the family of the late doctor and ANPA for allowing the medical mission to continue in spite of the loss.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising the health and well-being of residents and visitors to the state.
The governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for strength for her family to bear the loss. (NAN)
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