The Olaraja of Ekere, Ogieboro E.F Esisi
has expressed gratitude to the sponsors of this year’s edition of the popular
Okere Juju festival, which ended recently.
In a show of appreciation, he presented to
Intercontinental Distillers Limited, makers of Eagle Schnapps the framed
pictures of the Eleghe masquerade, which makes a rare appearance every 25
years.
The Brand Manager Eagle Schnapps Mr
Kingsley Anuebunwa, receiving the gift on behalf of the company said that the
society which lets go of its culture will definitely forget its roots, hence
the commitment of the brand to the celebration and encouragement of the
preservation of our culture through the sponsorship of important festivals such
as the Okere Juju.
He said that IDL took the sponsorship a
notch higher by sponsoring a draughts competition during the festival, adding
that the winners, Marcus Somatsone Martin Patrick and Deby Ogona went home with
huge cash sums and other branded items.
The grand finale of the event which was
witnessed by over 20,000 spectators was the climax of a 5-week activities, which
included the “Ibi ri bi”(the
spiritual cleansing), “ode
gbigba’ (sweeping the arena),
“Awerewere” (cleansing ceremony).
The spectators were treated to masquerade
displays, and various enactments from the rich history of the Okere
people. Various groups from within
the community attired in beautiful colourful native costumes paid homage to the
traditional ruler with their motor bikes, drawing the most attention with their
biking display.
Mr David Oki, the community public relations officer said the
festival has thrown open many tourism and business opportunities for visitors
and indigenes alike.
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