Ado Local Government Chairman Hosts Ikpomolokpo Community at Ere Onunu Cultural Festival, Calls for Peace, Unity and God’s Continued Protection
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government Council, Hon. Engr. Sunny Oche joined sons and daughters of Ikpomolokpo, alongside friends and well-wishers from across and beyond the local government area, to celebrate this year’s Ere Onunu Cultural Festival. This cherished annual cultural heritage symbolises communal purification, renewal, peace and harmony ahead of the New Yam Festival.
The Ere Onunu Festival, distinguished by the colourful appearance of the revered Akatakpa Masquerade, marks the beginning of the cultural activities that precede the New Yam celebration. For generations, the festival has served as a period of communal reflection, thanksgiving, reconciliation, and prayer for peace, good health, and prosperity. It reflects the people’s enduring desire for a society free from affliction and united in love and mutual coexistence.
The symbolism of Ere Onunu resonates with the timeless biblical principle of communal cleansing and renewal. In the Holy Scriptures, God instituted periods of cleansing and atonement for His people to promote holiness, reconciliation and restoration (Leviticus 16; Numbers 19). While Ere Onunu remains a treasured cultural heritage of the people of Ado, it equally reminds every community of the enduring values of repentance, peace, unity and the need to continually seek God’s mercy and protection over the land.
A central feature of the celebration is the Akatakpa Masquerade, which occupies a prominent place in the customary rites observed in several communities across Ado Local Government. As tradition demands, symbolic purification activities are carried out under the guidance of the appropriate traditional authorities, reflecting the community’s collective aspiration for peace, safety and the well-being of every household. Following the ceremonies, the Akatakpa returns to its sacred enclave until the next Ere Onunu season.
This year’s celebration attracted an impressive gathering of indigenes from home and the diaspora. The occasion was particularly historic as the people warmly welcomed Hon. Engr. Sunny Oche, an illustrious son of Ikpomolokpo, who became the first Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government, of Ikpomolokpo descent, attended the festival in that capacity. His presence was widely applauded as a demonstration of his enduring commitment to preserving the rich cultural heritage of Ado while remaining closely connected to the grassroots.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Engr. Sunny Oche according to a media report e-signed by his Principal Private Secretary, Innocent Igelle expressed delight at witnessing the Akatakpa Masquerade once again after many years. He thanked Almighty God for preserving the lives of the people to witness another season of celebration and prayed for lasting peace, divine protection, abundant harvests and continued progress for Ikpomolokpo, Ado Local Government and Benue State. He urged the people to remain united, uphold the noble values of their cultural heritage and continue to work together for the development of their communities.
The colourful event was coordinated by the Protocol Officer to the Executive Chairman, Hon. Moses Onumah, and was attended by the Ward Head of Ogege Ward, Chief Anthony Ugo (Rudo II of Ogege); Chief Attah, Ogaba Igumale; the President-General of Ikpomolokpo Progressive Development Association (IPDA), Engr. James Oche; the Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman on Special Duties, Hon. Mathew Egba; former Director-General of Services and Administration (DGSA), Mr Omenka Okpave; former Leader of the Ado Legislative Council, Hon. Ogiji Atoji; Prince George Onuh; Prince Patrick Edeh; Mr Sunday Oche, Proprietor of Richsteve Schools; Hon. Andrew Ugbala; the renowned Okpokpo the Mechanic; and numerous other distinguished sons, daughters and friends of Ikpomolokpo.
