Abraka Monarch, Wife Celebrate Christmas With Over 1000 Children

By Daniel Dafe

The Ovie of Umiaghwa-Abraka Kingdom in Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State, HRM AVM Lucky Ochuko Ararile (rtd.), and his wife, the Oniemo of Umiaghwa-Abraka Kingdom, HRM Opuriuchi Ihuoma Ararile, have successfully hosted the 2019 edition of the annual Christmas party for children in the community.

Over 1000 children trouped to the palace of the respected traditional ruler to participate in this year’s event that took place yesterday.

Speaking to Oasis Magazine (OM) during an exclusive chat, the monarch’s wife disclosed that the said programme has lasted for 7 years, adding that the king when he ascended the throne deemed it fit to host the party every year for children.

She continued: “The king embraced the idea because he saw that it was better to throw his gates wide open for children rather than having a few children come around on Christmas day to beg for alms and hang around the gate.”

According to her, it was a programme put together every year to get the children engaged and also an avenue for them to eat and rejoice together on the day the birth of Jesus is celebrated all over the world.

Furthermore, she said: “It is also an avenue for us to make them understand the meaning of Christmas.

“Ovie is the sole financier; while I drive the idea. As you can see, the turnout keeps increasing every year. Last year we attended to 800 persons, but this year you can see that they are more than 1000. We are well prepared for them. Some of the children you see come from Igun, others from PO apart from the ones from our community. We don’t restrict them as long as they are children.”

In future editions, she said it will be good to get financial partnerships from others apart from the king so they can reach out to others outside the age bracket of children, take the programme to a higher level and even include giving out scholarships in reward for academic excellence.

She called on parents to ensure that their children read their books, as she urged them to be very interested in the well-being of their children.

This reporter witnessed the presentation of cash prizes to pupils that came out tops in their classes during the last examination conducted in schools.