…..As python, porcupine among other notable wild animals make the day catches on the well attended event, with Sadiya Muhammed crowns as miss irewha.
Monday 26th December, 2022 was another round of the year and indeed a memorable one of such for Egbira communities in Shafan Abakpa otherwise called Sofiyo, an historic and accent town in Toto LGA of Nasarawa State, Nigeria as the people celebrated culture and tradition to its fullest.
The event though organized by the Aboriginal or native tribe of the Egbira in Sofiyo a town that drives its name from English word survey as a result of white settlers that resided in the area and carried out the survey of the entire region saw the presence of neighboring tribes of Gade, Gwagi, Hausa and Tiv among other people from within and outside States of Kogi and FCT with their traditional rulers, masquerades and dancing groups for Solidarity.
The Irewha Hunting Festival according to the people’s tradition was proclaimed by a war lord and king of hunters popularly called Ada-Ugbe who died decades ago was said to had made a proclamation before his death that for his people to continue to enjoy peace, unity and prosperity the Irehwa Hunting Festival most be sustained and kept alive as it will remain the source of the people’s peace, unity, protection and progress.
A Python and a Porcupine among other wild animals make the day catches as various speakers which included Hon. Usman Labaran Shafa Member Representing Toto /Gadabuke at the State Assembly, Chairman Toto LG Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Tashas, State Commissioner for Health Pharm. Ahmed Baba Yahaya, the President Shafan Abakpa Community Association SACA the organizers of the event Usman Adams Shaba among other speakers emphasized the significance of the festival in uniting the people and sustenance of peace hence the need for its sustenance.
The State Lawmaker Hon. Shafa used the medium to called on his people especially those who have not collected their voters cards to do so without any delay as election is around the corner just as the Chairman Toto LG Abdullahi Aliyu Tashas hailed the efforts of the State Government in restoring peace in the area promised to deal decisively with anyone caught fomenting trouble in the area no matter how highly placed.
Aside the presence of prominent politicians, traditional rulers and praise singers that added colours to the event, personalities also went home with gifts of various animals catched just as hunters who made the highest catches where also rewarded with different categories of prices.
Recalled that at the eve of the event Irewha Beauty Pageant was held with Twelve contesters where contester Number Three Sadiya Muhammed a graduate of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa emerged winner and was crowned the Miss Irewha.
