By Onomiguren Agbamu
Culture, they say, is the way and life of the people, as the Urhobo Catholic Community in St. John Mary Vianney Catholic Church, Asaba, celebrates culture day in style.
The Urhobo Cultural Day celebration ceremony themed: Urhobo! Our Culture, Our Pride., which was well attended by top Urhobo government functionaries and businessmen and women from Delta State ethnic group and nationality, graced the occasion.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the day, the Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, who was ably represented by the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, Barr. Otto Aghoghophia said the Urhobo Cultural Day celebration was a statement of identity and unity.
Akpowowo emphasized that the celebration embodies the language, music, dance, values, stories, ways, and life of the Urhobo culture, which will be passed down from generation to generation.
He said, “Today, the Urhobo community in this parish has demonstrated that we have not left our culture. We must also recognize, your Lord Bishop, that our culture and our faith are not in conflict but in harmony.
He noted that “Just as the word of God took flesh and dwelt among us, so does its love find expression in every culture that opposes truth, respect, dignity, unity, and peace.
“Our Urhobo culture, when rooted in love and righteousness, becomes a medium through which we glorify God.”
“Today’s ceremony is not only a celebration of identity but also an act of thanksgiving and worship, thanking God for who we are, where we come from, and where He is leading us.”
“It is also a call to our younger ones to embrace their roots with humility and to carry forward the light of our heritage with honor and responsibility.”
“As we celebrate today, let this serve, let this event serve as a reminder that our culture is not merely a relic of the past but a living legacy that guides our present and shapes our future.”
In his welcome address, the Chairman Urhobo Catholic Community, St. John Mary Vianney Church, Asaba, Mr. James Akpobi, said that the objective of the Urhobo Catholic Community in the parish is to strengthen and foster the unity of all Urhobo sons and daughters (by birth or marriage).
Akpobi also added that the celebration aimed at promoting the cultural heritage of the Urhobo people while holding strongly to their Catholic faith.
Akpobi said, “Today’s celebration provides an opportunity to rediscover our roots and remind ourselves of our tangible and intangible cultural values that have been existing for generations.”
Adding separately, the President General, Urhobo National Catholic Community of Nigeria, Mr. Richard Onodjaikeh, describes culture as the way of life of a people, their language, belief, and dressing.
He, however, worried that the Urhobo culture and language are going into extinction due to the inability of parents to speak the language to their children.
Earlier, in his sermon, the guest preacher, His Lordship, Most Rev. Anthony Ewherido, Bishop of Warri Diocese, emphasized the importance of living in harmony and showing love within the Urhobo culture community.
He stressed that love should extend beyond one’s own tribe to all humanity and also promote a unified community.
Speaking in an interview, the vice chairman, Urhobo Catholic Community, St. Mary Vianney Catholic Church, Asaba, Chief Jonathan Adiotomre, said the essence of the event is to showcase the Urhobo culture and its cultural foods, like starch, banga soup, coconut rice, isha soup, and ukodo soup.
The highlight of the celebration was the Urhobo cultural dance, and presentation of awards.
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