By Stephen Adeleye.
The indigenes of Orokere-Amuro, Mopamuro LGA who are residents of Lokoja, on Sunday celebrated an epoch maiden annual new Yam festival at Zango City, Lokoja, Kogi State capital.
The celebration of the maiden new yam festival in Lokoja, of Orokere extraction, was well attended by sons and daughters of the community from across the Confluence city and its environs.
The Coordinator, Elder Sunday Agunbiade, and Co-Cordinatore Elder Kehinde Odongbede of the maiden festival, commended the participants for their love and passion for Orokere community, and for being able to coordinate themselves to ensure that the maiden annual celebration in Lokoja, became a reality.
In his welcome address, Elder Sunday Agunbiade admonished the Orokere indigenes in Lokoja to be hardworking, patriotic and imbibe the spirit of unity and harmony among themselves, as well as contributing their best to the development of Orokere community.
Elder Agunbiade also urged the Orokere citizens in Lokoja, to be law abiding and eschew all forms of criminality, and diligently pursued their goals, saying, ”you must remember the sons and daughters of whom you are”.
He promised that the Orokere indigenes in Lokoja, would send their own little contribution towards the ongoing community development projects at home.
Many indigenes of Orokere in Lokoja, who were present at the festival, commended the coordinators for the initiative while thanking God for giving them the privilege to witness this year’s new yam festival especially the maiden edition in Lokoja in grand style.
Friends of Orokere in Lokoja who are indigenes of Amuro, Isanlu, Mopa and other neighbouring communities graced the occasion.
The ancient city of Amuro town comprises seven (7) communities including Orokere community; but all the seven communities of Amuro do jointly celebrated their new yam festival on July 7 (7/7) of every year.
The Lokoja branch of Orokere community, decided to celebrate their new year festival today July 12, in order to attract more participants being Sunday.
The highlight of the occasion was the unveiling and eating of the new yam with red oil, and pounded yam with egunsi soup (obe epa sokosin with eja eka and beef), after which the dancing floor was opened to all participants.
