By Festus Ahon &  Ochuko Akuopha

OBETIM—IT was a carnival of sorts as gaily-dressed indigenes of Afor clan, in Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State, converged to observe the Orji Efor festival.

TAFF founder, Kelechi Eke records another milestone

The people commemorate the fiesta regarded as their New Year festival yearly, to mark the advent of their progenitor, Etim Uku, the Great, who reportedly trekked from Bini Kingdom to the locality.

To signal the commencement of the festival every February, natives congregate at their ancestral homes from different parts of the word. Thereafter, members of Otu Olile age grade, led by Mr. Joe Ukpor of Umugbum quarters, go from Obetim, as early as 6.00 am, to the surrounding bush whose faithful believe is a strong protector of any native that has belief in the efficacy of its native chalk.

Why we celebrate OrjiEfor festival—Monarch

Speaking on the significance of the festival, the Okpala Uku of Obetim, HRM Okwa Anie Nwose, said: “The significance of Orji Efor celebration is rooted in the remembrance of the founder of Afor clan, Etim Uku, my great forefather, who is also the progenitor and father of Obetim community in Ndokwa East.

“As at the time Etim Uku arrived and settled in the present Orji Efor site, (a fortress dotted by mighty significant trees), he had four children namely: Ugbum, Osonwu, Obifi and Oleke.

“Etim Uku later married the daughter of one Mr. Eze Ekpeshi (founder of Ognodigbo, the only community in Afor clan that does not share same ancestry with the other seven communities) named Enede, who bore him his fifth son named Ifite.) Ifite bore the progenitors of Okolori, Ogbeti and Umuachi, where the site of the Orji Efor deity, where Etim Uku mystery staff resides, is presently located,” he said.

Community leaders shed more light

Obetim community leader, Chief Prince Okuguni, Okpala-Uku-In-Council Secretary, Chief Okuse and immediate past Community Development Committee chair, Chief Austin Neme, who also spoke, said the festival celebrated every February, means a lot to the people.

They disclosed that of the eight communities that make up the Afor Clan – Obetim,  Umuachi, Ogbeti, Okolori,  Umuachi Ogo, Umu Okpala, Iselegu and Ogbedigbo,  only one of them is not allowed to worship the Orji Efor deity.

Chief Okuse said: “Specifically, Okpala Uku had nine days earlier announced the commencement, and it was done on Nkwo market day, which is the usual date for the festival.”

“We hope to take to a higher height as we appeal to government to embrace tourism, which potential for job creation cannot be underestimated. We appeal to our able governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to look our way, as we believe so much in his developmental strides across the state,” he said.

Appeal to Okowa

On his part, Chief Neme added: “We intend making this feast a world event. All we are pleading is for the state government to come to the aid of our community neglected in the past 20 years. We plead with him to help us break the jinx with his presence at Obetim.

“He should please come and help us out of the political quagmire we found ourselves, which has denied our people being voted for or being appointed into any office since 1999,” he added.