By Balarabe Oshiafi
The theme of this year’s lecture on the occasion of the annual Auchi day, Edo State was “Tahara”which means cleanliness in English. The guest Lecturer Dr Oseni Tijani sufficiently disected the subject and delivered the paper to the appreciation of the audience.
The lecture aside, what caught the fancy of the people of Auchi Sacred Kingdom and galaxy of beautiful people who graced the occasion was thrills, the many coloured entertainment that the King, Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh, Ikelebe, 111 provided on this year’s Uchi day, as investigations reveal.
There was a showcase of various forms of dance, choreographed dialectal drama, tug of war. As Expressday monitored, not even the recitation of the Holy Quran was bereft of entertainment accompaniment.
Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu while commending Otaru for sustaining the annual Uchi Day promised to harness the cultural resources of the Etsako people when he becomes the next Governor of Edo State. He lamented that his office has been starved of funds and utility vehicles for seven months by the Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
In his own remarks, the immediate past Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba who was represented by Alhaji Bawa Mohammed, an Auchi Son and a former House of Reps Aspirant also showered encomiums on the Otaru of Auchi on the development the Sacred Kingdom has recorded in his tenure. He donated two million naira to support the kingdom. Other dignitaries also supported the event with various amounts of money.
The Rector of Auchi Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Shehu Umar was not left out in joining the Sacred Kingdom to celebrate the day. In a special message, he said, “I celebrate with the entire Auchi community on the occasion of Uchi Day 2024. This year’s lecture with the theme: “Tahara (Cleanliness) A Means to Attaining Piety” delivered by the very erudite Dr. Oseni Tijani is indeed timely and apt. Recall that January 8 every year is a day set aside by the devout and amiable people of Auchi in our dear Edo state to celebrate what has now become the ‘Uchi Day’. I congratulate His Royal Highness Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh, (Ikelebe III) the Otaru of Auchi on this special day. The large congregation of the people of Auchi at this year’s event signifies the undying love the people have for our Royal Father and his exceptional commitment to making Auchi a better place”.
He added, “today’s event witnessed the recitation of verses of the Holy Qur’an amongst other displays. Other events include Islamic songs, tug-of-war contests, as well as distribution of trophies and cash prizes to winners of the football competition organized to mark the occasion. The intermittent performance by hunters was quite thrilling and a key highlight of this year’s occasion showcasing Auchi’s rich cultural heritage as displayed through the rhythm of drums and dance steps”.
Several other dignitaries mainly of Afemai nativity were either physically present or dully represented. They include the executive Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki; the Senator representing Edo north in Nigeria’s parliament, Adams Oshiomhole; the house of representatives member, Etsako Federal Constituency, Dekeri Anamero and others.
The loud absence of the Yerima of Auchi Sacred Kingdom and former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh and his younger brother and former Daudu 1, Alhaji (Engineer) Azeez Momoh was felt at the yearly January 8 cultural event.
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