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Permit me to precede this article with some wisdom from Gail Devers to prepare and relax our nerves as we proceed.
“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”
Ladies and gentleman, great people of kogi central of Kogi state, I cannot be silent in any project that has the appellation of Ebira, my fatherland, either home or abroad. Many may not comprehend that the reason I do what I do is because of the bloodlines and destiny I share in common with Ebira people.
I realized that chill does not come from outside, it was come from within me most especially when I sighted problems and able to proffer solution for effective management.
Therefore, this article is strictly dedicated and directed to the organizers of Ebira Carnival and specific focus on the recently held Ebira Carnival which which took place on the 25th and 26th Dec. 2017.
Please before I proceed I want those who are possessed and consumed with ethnocentric chauvinism to readjust their thinking cap and reposition it in such a way that we can think and operate from the same frequency of thought.
My interest is how we can inject life to the carnival, magnify it so that every zone in the central can feel the breeze of the carnival and to attract visitors from other states and countries. Good things are not done by multitude of heads but by two or more good quality heads who’s mind are set for progress and heart is totally yielded and consume for a society that works
First, I do not attend just to eat and make merry with my friends, but to see the manner and the arrangement of the carnival. My first time of attending was in 2015 during he Carnival picnic but I could not attend the main carnival because of my wedding. 2017 was deliberate and planed for. What am about to do is like giving feedback to the organizers and suggesting way forward for a Better, Authentic, Real and Rich Ebira Carnival for 2018
Ladies and gentlemen, factoring all that transpired during the event, my inference is that it has not been positioned adequately to house the entity of Ebira, rather its projected as an Okene Carnival. Event that others do not feel the impact should not be called our event. Ebira Carnival should be celebrated in such a way that it encourages every son and daughter to participate provided it is properly organized. The truth I tell you, it is doable and all we need is the will.
Event that will carry the logo and signature of ebira should be properly organised in such a way that will define our culture, portray our name Ebira (Character). Okene, Adavi, Okehi, Ajaokuta and Ogori must feel it, their axis must be bubbling with the excitement and shower of Ebira Carnival.
I understand the carnival is still at infant level but three to four years the leaders should think of carrying every zone in ebira along if possible, extend the duration.
Transparency and accountability, fairness and Justice should also not be watered because society where all these ingredient is lagging cannot progress.
Ebira Carnival is a tool in the hand of the youths to re-unite and negotiate their future only if self interest and greed can be put away and work toward the betterment of our land. Through this we can reachout to our leaders for a conducive environment.
I have observed and also make enquiry on the previous activities and there is nothing different or new. We cannot continue doing the same thing and want a different result, it time we enlarge our coast to do something different and unique. I also observed, Ajaokuta, Adavi, Ihima really do not take this activities serious. Yes it cannot be taken serious when proper plan to carry everyone including children are not in place.
I also observed, there is no provision for children both in picnic and on the final day, such an event should be done in such a way that our children have bouncing Kaso to play in. Parents will be moved to take advantage of that day because of the fun and the mingle of their children.
Suggestions:
“I believe is time to create a vision for the life we really want and then work relentlessly towards making it a reality.”
We can use 3 days for this carnival: First day will be dedicated for the usual Carnival picnic.
Second day, every zone will stage their carnival right in their respective local government. Mr Carnival and Mrs Carnival parade with the team to visit every zone to associate with them. For Example, Okehi can stage their carnival at Ihima or Obangede, Adavi can stage theirs in Ogamnana and Okene and Ajaokuata respectively. the parade will cut across all the axis with entourage, trumpet while Mr and Mrs Carnival mount the horse with beautiful decoration with angelic attires for parades.
The third day which would then be the final day, every zone will converge at the Centre with their unique culture dress their Mr carnival and the Mrs Carnival in a way that suit them and our culture. Competition can even be put in place to choose the Mr & Mrs Carnival of that year with a prize. The Mr and Mrs Carnival of the year will head all the 5 local LG Mr&Mrs Carnival. The form can be sold to generate money for the project. Ebira Carnival should happen in every nooks and crannies of ebira not just in Okene. By this way we can call it Ebira Carnival, otherwise it is Okene Carnival.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is how we can reform, and restructure Ebira Carnival and in no distant time we become a center of attraction to the entire community in Nigeria by showcasing our rich and beautiful culture. The handsome and beauty of our people must not be kept within us, it is time to advertise our intelligent and charismatic kings and queens.
We can begin to call on the state government to create or build mini stadium for us where such event can be held to avoid dust and stains. We must be health conscious especially our children. My daughter (Onyiogu WD) fell sick after inhaling that dust for week and was admitted. Same to me but as an adult I bounced back after minor medication. But wait a minute, does it not look unwise for central not to have at least one mini stadium? where is our House of Reps, Senator, and Assembly members. Kai, Accidental Leadership Everywhere You Go (ALEWYG). May God give us a panoramic leaders in Central.
Ladies and gentlemen, this can be discarded or trashed but one thing is sure, oneday, someday a new generation that will make it happen will emerge, men and women who will not settle for less but for the best will emerge and build a home of their dream. This will happen in my life time, me and my household will live to witness this day in Jesus Name… Amen.
I can see that day, where all hotel in Okene, Okehi, Ajaokuta, Adavi and Ogori will be booked down because of ebira carnival, I can see with my eyes, that day, when the only reason our diaspora families who refuse to come home over the years will change their mind is to attend Ebira carnival.
God Bless Ebiraland.
God Bless the Organizers.
– OGO’OGU MD
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