Ex-Nasarawa Speaker Balarabe says Ohiku Egbira should preserve Egbira culture and drive socio-economic devt
By Yahaya Idris, Umaisha
The 2025 Ohiku Egbira Convention, also called the 6th World Ohiku Egbira Day, was held on Saturday in Opanda Kingdom (Umaisha), Toto Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. The event was organized by the leadership of Ohiku Egbira Descendants Union (OEDU), featured traditional carnival activities themed “Towards Empowerment and Economic Transformation of the Egbira Nation.”
The occasion attracted prominent sons and daughters of the Egbira speaking people from Nigeria and abroad, including traditional rulers.
The cultural activities included fishing, boat regatta, swimming, and diving competitions alongside various musical and cultural displays.
The Egbira people are an ethnic group in Nigeria known for rich cultural traditions, including distinctive festivals, traditional governance, and communal activities.
The Egbira have a strong connection with riverine and aquatic activities, reflected by events such as boat regattas and fishing competitions, critical in showcasing their cultural heritage and cohesion.
Other events at the Ohiku Egbira Day includes traditional cloth waving by local Egbira aged women and display by masquerades of different sizes and shapes just as the river bank in Umaisha venue of the event could not contain the people as some climb the tree tops to catch the glimpse of the event.
Speaking during an interview with Newsmen, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the immediate former Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, congratulated the Egbira people worldwide for successfully hosting the cultural day, describing it as a unique occasion to showcase their identity and encouraging its continued observance.
He urged the leadership of the Ohiku Egbira Descendants Union to prioritize the interests of the union above personal agendas to achieve its core objectives.
Balarabe, now serving as Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, Yobe State, welcomed Egbira leaders from various walks of life during the event held in his hometown of Umaisha.
He emphasized the importance of unity and progress within the Ohiku Egbira community.
“The Ohiku Egbira Descendants Union (OEDU) is a socio-cultural organization representing all Egbira peoples, established to promote unity and foster the cultural, social, and political interests of the Egbira nation across Nasarawa, Kogi, FCT, and Edo States including worldwide.”
The union plays a critical role in bringing together Egbira descendants and preserving Ll brings together notable MEMBERS of the community to
their shared heritage and explore empowerment strategies aligned with economic transformation.”
“The cultural carnival aspect helps reinforce identity, pride, and unity among the Egbira, fostering intergenerational knowledge transfer through traditional performances, contests, and social gatherings.”
According Balarabe Abdullahi, it was an integration celebration where the Egbira people proudly displayed their strength to the world, which enhanced peace and unity among the people and brought many benefits.
The event was attended by representatives of the Governors of Nasarawa and Kogi States.
Speeches were delivered by the President of Ohiku Egbira Descendants Union (OEDU), Dr. Musa Ibrahim Ado Ohinoyi Ahmadu, and the Executive Chairman of Toto LGA, Pharm. Ahmed Baba Yahaya, among others.
The celebration marked a moment of cultural pride and unity for the Egbira people, underscoring the importance of integration in fostering peace and development within the Egbira community. 11 we as weAttendees included key political figures and community leaders, showing the event’s significance in promoting regional cohesion and recognition of the Egbira heritage.The presence of representatives from Nasarawa and Kogi States highlights thelaæla cross-state importance of the event, reinforcing ties between different communities within these areas.
The speeches contributed to the message of unity and the collective effort towards peaceful coexistence and mutual progress
among the Egbira people and their neighbors.
