Agbarha Community Holds 2025 ‘Agbarha Day’, Gives Update On Court Cases

By Daniel Dafe

Agbarha Community in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, recently held the 2025 edition of Agbarha Day celebration.

Chairman, Agbarha Community Development Committee, Sir Festus Oghenekevwe Eghwrudje, during his welcome addressing during the event noted that the last Agbarha Day programme was in 2020.

Adding: “Since then, one sad event or the other has prevented us from holding the celebration.”

His words: “Since the last celebration, a lot of waters have passed under the bridge. We have lost so many important young men/women and also our Grand Commander who led us to victory at the courts.”

Continuing, he disclosed that the community won the two cases in the courts, saying “the victory was as a result of ‘truth’ over ‘fabricated lies’ and ‘light’ over ‘darkness’.”

While thanking God for the victories, he applauded Pastor Innocent Ekokefe and Bishop Blessed Onokurefe for their prayer support all through the period and beyond.

He continued: “Secondly, we applaud our two kings, HRM (AVM) Lucky Ochuko Ararile Rtd. Avwaeke 1, the Ovie of Umiaghwa Abraka Kingdom and HRM Ambassador Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebele, Okorefe 1, the Ovie of Agbarha Otor Kingdom for their morale, financial, prayers, and indeed all round support they gave to us during and after the court cases. We cannot forget all the contributions and support from the two Kingdoms’ Council of Chiefs.

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“Thirdly, our posthumous deep applauds go to Late Pa Emmanuel Odibo Eghwrudje and Late Pa Jackson Emuobonuvie. These were the men that led Agbarha through the tough and rough times.

“Fourthly, sincere applaud goes to our Research and Development Group led by our leader, Pa Irikefe Bartholomew Iwhiwhu, Festus Oghenekevwe Eghwrudje and Chief (Prof.) Basil Enemute Iwhiwhu who spent sleepless nights and days to prepare the legal responses to the claims of those who wanted to claim our ancestral lands through falsehood and might. These brilliant men provided our legal team with solid information and grounds that boosted the confidence of the legal team.

“Fifthly, we applaud our legal team led by Barr. Pius Egemole, Barr. Martins Akugbe Omako and Bar. Harold A. Aboloje. These are a set of seasoned legal luminaries that stood solidly behind us.

“Finally, we equally applaud all those who believed in and trusted our elders, thereby giving their support in prayers, morally and financially.”

Speaking further, he said: “Today, with all humility, we can proudly say that the land of Agbarha, which our forefathers deforested, lived in and left for us, is still intact,” adding: “God has helped us to keep it. To Him alone be all the glory.”

Enumerating other good things that took place among Itiakpor’s descendants, he said some members of the community were engaged very recently in Delta State University, Abraka as a result of the direct intervention of the Ovie of Umiaghwa Abraka Kingdom HRM (AVM) Lucky Ochuko Ararile Rtd.

He added: “It was grossly unfair to deprive Agbarha of our farm lands and also deny us employment opportunities as Agbarha owned over 80% of DELSU Campus III land.”

He also thanked everyone who contributed financially for them to be able to organise the occasion.

Pastor Ekokefe and Bishop Blessed Onokurefe were on ground to lead the prayer sessions for the community and prepare them for great achievements in the New Year.

The occasion that witnessed praises to God, also had community members celebrating their entry to 2025, just as foods and drinks were served to those present.

Community leaders and members were present to witness the grand occasion.