By Godswill Inegbe
With a shared vision of an inclusive community building, and for the love, passion, commitment and sacrifice for a birthplace, the sons and daughters of Ewu Kingdom, both home and diaspora have reinvented the spirit of communal duty in Esanland, Edo Central Senatorial District in Edo State.
The Ewu International Day and Ewu Security Summit were two historic events, held in the same day, same kingdom, with a uniquely designed royal coordination and coloration.
While, the Ewu International Day, tagged: ‘Eilu Cultural Festival 2021’, was powered by the communal collaboration of all Ewu Groups and Social-Cultural Organizations, was crafted towards the promotion of cultural heritage, unity, cohension, communal development obligation and patriotism. On the other hand, the Ewu Security Summit, that was powered by Ewu Progress Foundation (EPF), was designed to kickstart the process of a ‘Safe and Secured’ Ewu Kingdom.
One of the highlights of these historic events in Ewu Kingdom, held on the 26th of December, 2021, was the special unveiling of security vehicle and gadgets for Ewu Vigilante, which was graciously performed by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Philip Aliyu Ogbadu and the official declaration of the Ewu International Day, tagged: Eilu Cultural Festival 2021, by a carefully selected distinguished personalities with assigned official roles, which were royally led by the Royal Chief Host, HRH Alhaji (Barr) Abdulrazak Isesele Ojiefo 111, the Ojielu of Ewu Kingdom and the royal father of the day, HRH Anslem Eidenojie 11, the Ojuromi of Uromi Kingdom.
Another high point of the Ewu International Day, was the cultural showcasing of locally made food like ” omadidi, amolili, ori-sugar, manser, ekor, ehiehie, ohor bi uvin, oka bi ehiawe, etc.’
In the same manner, the different cultural troupes from the various communities that constituted Ewu Kingdom, performed uniquely to the awe of the joyous and cheering mammoth crowd.
The crowning moment of the historic ceremony was when the royal fathers and the royal queen, the chairman of the occasion, the Special Guest of Honor, and Guests of Honour led members of the high table to perform the special food taste of the local delicacies showcased at the historic ceremony.
In the same light, the array of eminent personalities that graced the historic occasion with their distinguished presence, made the ceremony a memorable one. Viz: Senator Clifford Ordia, Engr Adams Okoene, Dr Dorry Okojie, Mr Monday Okpebho, Chief Eric Obozele, Hon Victor Obozokhale, Rt Hon. Victor Edoror, Pastor Henry Amenkhiena, Princess Biddy Omoleme-Adele, Engr. Henry Okoigun amongst others.
The take home from these uncommon events, is that, the real wealth and development of a truly functioning community lies in it’s people. The greatest resource is a communal will to work together, to draw strength from each other and to share talents, skills and financial resources for the benefit of all.
The modern united Ewu Kingdom, is a shared-common vision by all sons and daughters of the kingdom, as such, the vision is embraced by all members of the community, including those who are most vulnerable or excluded, and this allows new futures to be imagined and new possibilities to be invented.
Today, with direct royal support and engagement from the high-spirited royal highness and royal queen, the kingdom is on a bravely path of an envisioned prosperous, secured, peaceful, and developed kingdom, through the demonstration of the unwaning spirit of active participation, that animates community and the lives of those, with whom we share a communal space and kinship.
Successful communities, are those which are willing to constantly re-imagine, regenerate and evolve, adapting to the needs of an ever changing world in the 21st century.
Through the December 26th Ewu International Day, tagged: Ewu Cultural Festival 2021, there is no iota of doubt that the world witnessed the successful re-invention of an inclusive, supportive and participative community building shared by all, including and most especially, the underprivileged and the physically challenged in the society that struggle to find a voice.
Above all, the spirit of unity that precipitated the historic celebration, further strengthen the resolve of the people to continue to work together as one United Kingdom of Ewu.
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