Kogiflame
By Samuel Temiloluwa
The 2025 Kabba Day cultural celebration was held yesterday at the Community Township Stadium in Kabba Metropolis, the headquarters of Okun Nation and Kogi West Senatorial District of Kogi State.
The event showcased the rich cultural heritage of (Owe) Kabba and its people, featuring cultural displays, performances, and speeches that highlighted the history and traditions of the Owe people.
The Day celebration was well attended by sons and daughters of the community, along with dignitaries from all walks of life, to celebrate one of the biggest cultural events in Sub-Saharan Africa in the month of November.
The epoch-making event showcased the rich cultural heritage of the resilient people of Owe, Kabba, with the Ogun festival dance performed by the title chiefs of the community to open the event.
The Monure, Alase, and Unoko masquerades were on ground to perform to the admiration of the guests, followed by performances by families and clans with distinct types of dance and music, alongside several other cultural troupes from Okene, Igala land, Bassa, Igbo, and Hausa, who came to show solidarity with their host community.
Various speakers at the event called for peace and unity in the area, emphasizing the importance of putting aside differences and working towards a common goal.
In his welcome address, the President General of Kabba Development Union (KDU), Alhaji Zachary Dare Ejibunu, called on the people of Kabba to unite against insecurity and work towards the development of their community.
He emphasized the importance of peace, unity, and collective action in overcoming challenges facing the community.
The theme of this year’s celebration, “Together Against Insecurity: Building Peace and Strengthening Bonds,” highlights the need for the community to come together to address security challenges.
Ejibunu urged the people to support the completion of the Kabba Civic Centre, a landmark project that will serve as a hub for economic, social, and cultural activities.
The Obaro of Kabba, Oba Dr. Solomon Dele Owoniyi, commended the organizers for a successful event despite the short preparation time, emphasizing that progress and development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, love, and unity.
While the Chairman of the Occasion, Asiwaju Olatunji Olusoji, commended the community for the monumental event, he urged the community to prioritize peace and unity, emphasizing that this is the only way they can guarantee development, being the headquarters of Okun nation.
He also urged all stakeholders to recognize the need to work together to achieve a common goal for the community.
Also speaking is the chief launcher at the event, Chief Dr. Innocent Ezuma, Lord Mayor of Arondizuogu Ancient Kingdom and Executive Chairman of Etazuma Mining and Industries Ltd, who described the Kabba community as one of the foremost communities with a rich history.
He pointed out that he’s glad to be part of the area’s development.
He eulogized the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Okun Area Traditional Council for prioritizing peace and development for his people, urging the people to continue giving him the needed support to achieve more development.
He promised to continue working with the leadership of Kabba Development Union (KDU) to accelerate the development of the Civic Centre with an initial donation of ten million naira.
Other dignitaries, such as Senator Sunday Karimi, Hon. Drare Michael, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Chairman, Elder Adebanji Jimoh, Engr. Olushola Olumoroti, and Dr. Ralph Arokoyo, emphasized the importance of peace, unity, and development, urging the Okun people to work together for progress.
Other dignitaries who attended the event include HRM Alhaji Tajjani Anase, the Ohinoyi of Ebira land; HRM Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, the Elulu of Mopa, HRM Oba Anthony Bamigbaiye, the Olu Adde of Ekinrin-Adde, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf, Hon Salman Idris, Member representing Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu federal constituency, Chief Mrs Toyin Omole, Mr Tunde Ipinmesho DG, Ogidi Cultural Festival among others.
The event concluded with a call for peace, unity, and development, urging the Okun people to shun pull-down syndrome and work together to achieve a common goal for the community.
