Kokodiagbene community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, under the leadership of Comr. Pedro Tuwayerin Bekenawei, has unveiled the list of programmes lined up to commemorate the 17th Amasuo-Ugeh Festival, an annual ceremony showcasing culture and promoting community development through indigenous participation, billed to commence from Friday, December 20 and close on Sunday, December 22, 2024.

The programmes for the 17th edition were unveiled by the Chairman of the Amasuo-Ugeh Planning Committee, Chief George Timiyan JP, at a press briefing in Warri, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

The Chairman of the planning committee also used the opportunity to call on all sons and daughters of the community, at home and in the Diaspora, to return home to contribute positively to its development and growth. 

Topping the series of programmes unveiled by the committee chairman is the Tompolo Peace and Unity Football competition which is aimed at fostering peace and unity between Kokodiagbene and other communities in the kingdom.

The Tompolo Peace and Unity Football competition will feature the participating football teams of Kokodiagbene FC, Kunukunuma FC, Benikrukru FC, and Oporoza FC, with match fixtures billed for 4:00pm on Sunday, December 15 and Tuesday, December 17; with the third place and final matches fixed for Thursday, December 19, and Saturday, December 21.

Meanwhile, the Amasuo-Ugeh Festival will officially kick-off on Friday, December 20, with musical entertainment by the Dynamic Band from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, to be followed by a praise, worship and special intercessory prayer programme for Kokodiagbene community, Gbaramatu Kingdom and the Niger Delta region at large, and thereafter closing with music entertainment from 5:30pm to 10:30pm.

The second day (Saturday, December 21) will witness a relationship programme tagged 'Singles Connect' and an Health and Business Exposition by experts. While the former will hold from 11:00am to 12:30pm and is aimed at fostering relationship building and marriages between sons and daughters of the community, the latter scheduled from 1:00pm to 2:30pm is aimed at creating awareness on health as well as how to successfully start, register, and run a business. Day 2 thereafter closes with the spiritual activities of praise, worship, prayers and admonitions from God's Word from 5:00pm to 10:30pm.

The grand finale, billed for Sunday, December 22, begins with breakfast (7:30am–8:30am), Thanksgiving (9:00am–11:30am), Lunch (11:30am–12:30pm), while special guests and other dignitaries make their arrivals as Ijaw Highlife musician Dr. Alfred Izon-Ebi welcomes them with melodious tunes.

Expected at the ceremony at 1:30pm is His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun II (JP), Aketekpe, Agadagba, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, who will be welcomed and entertained with cultural dance among other entertainment activities.

Accordingly, the outline of the day's activities begins with a welcome address by the Planning Committee Chairman at 3:00pm, Amasuo-Ugeh 2024 speech by the community Chairman, Comr. Pedro Bekenawei at 3:15pm, appreciation speech to HRM by the most elderly man in Kokodiagbene, cultural dance and entertainment at 3:40pm.

There will be various remarks, beginning from the chairman of the occasion High Chief Dennis Otuaro P.hD, special guest of honour Mr. Matthew Tonlagha, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, the immediate-past deputy governor of Delta State, Barr. Dcn. Otuaro, spiritual father of the day Archbishop Phillip Tonfawei (JP), and a royal remark and blessings from HRM.

Later in the evening, Dr. Alfred Izon-Ebi will thrill guests in a social night party till dawn.

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