2022 Agbarha Day Holds In Abraka, As Umiaghwa Monarch Preaches Unity

By Daniel Dafe/Thelma Ojetobor

The 2022 edition of the annual get-together and thanksgiving of Itiakpor descendants in Agbarha community of Umiaghwa-Abraka Kingdom, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, held at the weekend.

The programme which took place at the Agbarha Town Square, Abraka, had the monarch, HRM (AVM) Ochuko Ararile (rtd) in attendance represented by the kingdom’s Prime Minster, High Chief Nath Anho.

Delivering the sermon, Bishop Blessed Onokurefe of Blessed Life Assurance Ministry, Sapele, urged the community to continue to hold the programme annually, saying that the benefits far outweigh the challenges that they face to make this happen yearly.

The cleric prayed for the progress of the community, just as he tasked them on unity and advised them to pass on the importance of the event to their children and the youths in the area.

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On his part, the monarch urged his subjects to do away keeping grudge if there be any, adding that they must cooperate and be united as a family.

According to him, every time he comes around, he sees the progress that they are making, stressing that they must shun things that divide them.

Earlier, the CDC Chairman, Mr Festus Oghenekevwe Eghwrudje, in his welcome address, recounted the situation that led to the birth of “Agbarha Day,” saying that the annual event was borne out of necessity, initially aimed at bringing together all Itiakpor sons and daughters for mutual reunion and plans for developmental strategies for the community.

Adding: “However, God in His own way may has designed it that the community faces some challenges (accusations/attack) to better appreciate His plan for the Agbarha-Abraka People. Now we know better that there is a God that faileth not.”

Continuing, he hinted that in November 2011, some Itiakpor descendants, both elders (Pa French Iwhiwhu (now late), Pa John Eghrudje, etc.) and youths came to invite Agbarha Elders to the Oruarivie palace with the intention that Agbarha as a community pay homage to HRM Akpomeyoma Majoroh, Ojeta II, being part of Ekrejeta.

According to him, the community leaders frowned at the proposals, making it clear that Agbarha has no link with Ekrejeta, except being neighbors and cannot be compelled to do that, but may do so as a mark of respect to HRM and not as direct subjects.

“The refusal of Agbarha to be compelled to pay homage to Oruarivie king infuriated the palace officials, and made them to spur their youths to invade Agbarha with deadly weapons. To our dismay, some gullible and compromising sons of Itiakpor (Jeffgold Okuro, David Iwhiwhu (now late) and Oghenetega Enakpodia) connived with Ekrejeta youths to disrupt the Agbarha conference scheduled to hold on January 2, 2012. This marked the beginning of the dispute/crises between Agbarha Umiaghwa-Abraka and Ekrejeta Oruarivie-Abraka,” he added.

Speaking further, he said: “They made their threats real by taking Agbarha elders to court and we in turn stood as witnesses when the State Ministry of Justice took the January 2, 2012 invaders/attackers to court. It’s no longer news that both cases were decided to the favour of Agbarha Umiaghwa-Abraka community by courts of competent jurisdictions.”

He said the legal battle lasted for about ten years, noting that the court victory made 2022 celebration very unique.

Meanwhile, during the event, clerics present said special prayers for the community. Also, indigenes of the said community set out time for a praise and worship session to thank God and praise Him for His goodness to their forefathers and them also.

Highpoint of the occasion was the cutting of the celebration cake by dignitaries present.