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Amaseikumor festival: Our culture is our identity, we must preserve it – Keyamo

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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.

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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.

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2027 Election: Yilwatda apologises to aggrieved Oyo APC members, seeks unity

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Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has apologised to aggrieved members over perceived wrongs during the party’s internal primaries, saying the National Working Committee (NWC) takes responsibility for such actions.

Yilwatda, who made the disclosure on Thursday in Ibadan during the launch of the APC governorship candidate campaign office in Ibadan, appealed to members who felt hurt, injured, prevented or excluded in any form to forgive the party and remain united ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the responsibility extended beyond Oyo State, stressing that the committee that conducted the party’s primaries was constituted by the national leadership and therefore, any mistake committed by it amounted to a mistake by the party.

“This is not for Oyo State alone. Anywhere anybody made a mistake in a state, it is our mistake because the committee was set up by us and they are representing us.

“If anybody is hurt, if anybody is injured, if anybody is prevented or excluded in any form or the other, we take responsibility. On TV, before Nigerians, we take responsibility of all that has happened. I appeal to everybody that we are sorry,” he said.

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The APC national chairman urged members at polling units, wards and local government areas across the country to regard the matter as an internal family affair.

Yilwatda assured that the party was taking Oyo State seriously because of its strategic importance and large voting population, second only to Lagos.

Speaking, the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, commended the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for fulfilling his promises to the state within two days.

Alli expressed appreciation to Yilwatda for honouring the invitation to meet with governorship aspirants and stakeholders, saying the achievements recorded within the period surpassed what the stakeholders had been able to accomplish.

He said the promises made when the national chairman invited the aspirants had now been fulfilled.

“We cannot thank you enough for what you have come to do. What you have achieved successfully in two days, we have not been able to accomplish,” Alli said.

He assured the national chairman that the party in Oyo would continue to do the needful.

Earlier, mammoth crowd of members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gathered in Ibadan on Thursday as the party’s national chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, officially inaugurated the party’s governorship campaign office in Dandaru, along the Total Garden-Mokola Road, Ibadan.

The inauguration formed part of activities marking the APC National Chairman’s two-day official visit to Oyo State, which commenced on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Party members from across the 33 local government areas of the state converged on the venue to witness the official inauguration of the campaign office and welcome the national chairman.

The campaign office will serve as the secretariat of the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli.

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AFRAA welcomes Enugu Air, strengthens Nigeria’s Domestic Aviation growth

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The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has admitted Enugu Air as Member, extending the Association’s membership base in Nigeria’s fast-growing domestic aviation market and reaffirming AFRAA’s commitment to supporting the continued development of African carriers across the continent.

This was announced by AFRAA in Nairobi on Wednesday, making Enugu Air the 50th Member of the association, joining the AFRAA airline fraternity, collectively representing more than 85 per cent of total international traffic carried by African airlines.

Speaking on the occasion, AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé, said, “We are delighted to welcome Enugu Air into the AFRAA fraternity.

“As a state-backed carrier serving Nigeria’s rapidly expanding domestic market, Enugu Air represents the kind of homegrown investment that is vital to building resilient air connectivity across our continent.

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“We look forward to supporting the airline through the IOSA certification process and to its continued growth within the AFRAA membership, as we work together to advance the cause of unified African skies.”

Reacting to the development, the CEO of Enugu, Capt Tolu Ita, described the admission into AFRAA as a major milestone in the airline’s short history.

“We are honoured to join the AFRAA fraternity. This membership underscores Enugu Air’s commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable air travel for Nigerians while contributing to the vision of a unified African aviation market.

“We look forward to collaborating with fellow AFRAA members and leveraging the association’s support as we grow our network and pursue IOSA certification,” Tolu stated.

Founded on July 7, 2025, Enugu Air commenced commercial operations with a fleet of Embraer E170/E190/E195 aircraft.

The airline, which has its headquarters in Enugu and operates from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, currently serves nine domestic destinations including Enugu, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Benin City.

As part of the airline’s growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

As part of its growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

The admission of Enugu Air aligns with AFRAA’s strategic priorities and strengthens the voice of the association. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its fastest-growing economies, remains central to the realization of a truly integrated African aviation market.

Meanwhile, founded in Accra, Ghana, in April 1968, and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, AFRAA’s mission is to promote, serve African Airlines and champion Africa’s aviation industry.

The association envisions a sustainable, interconnected and affordable air transport industry in Africa, where African airlines become key players and drivers of African economic development.

AFRAA membership cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental African operators.

The association’s members represent over 85% of total international traffic carried by African airlines.

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Aiyedatiwa appoints 1,004 aides, picks commissioner, three advisers

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Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa
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Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved a fresh round of appointments involving a commissioner, three Special Advisers and 1,000 other aides.

The appointments comprise 90 Senior Special Assistants and 910 Special Assistants, with the governor saying the move is intended to reinforce his administration and improve its reach across the state.

Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba, from Akoko North-West Local Government Area, has been nominated as Commissioner for Special Duties. Her nomination has been transmitted to the state House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.

The governor also appointed Hon. Abimbola Fajolu as Special Adviser on Environment, Chief Ade Adeniyi as Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development, and Mr Muyiwa Ogunyemi as Special Adviser on Transport.

Among those named as Senior Special Assistants are Erelu Toyin Ogungbure, Women Mobilisation (South); Bidemi Obayangbon, Forestry; Gboluge Olufunmi Alex, Community Engagement (South); Hon. Akin Adeniyi, Community Engagement (Central); and Obayan Theophilus Ayodeji, Community Engagement (North).

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Others include Kelvin Solomon, Students Affairs; Adeolu Iwakun, Volunteer Services; Samson Job Bazuaye, Oil and Gas; Fade Ojamomi, Youth Empowerment and Job Creation; Sam Adepoju, Public Engagement; and Alhaji Samad Orijeminiyi, Scholarship.

Also appointed are Victor Omodara, Grassroots Mobilisation; Abayomi Adefolalu, Photography; and Alhaji Abdukadiri Adenoyi, Prince Nzuoma Egbulefu and Alhaji Garba Goni, all for Non-Indigenes.

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