Guardian

Honours Sam Loco, others

Sultan, Onaiyekan for Auchi Day

BENIN monarch, Oba Erediauwa at the weekend called for support from corporate organisations and multinationals for local festivals, saying their support would act as a source of inspiration to participants and part of such bodies’ corporate social responsibilities.

The monarch made the call for continuous support for the Binis’ yearly Igue Festival, which he said promoted the Benin cultural values and united their sons and daughters worldwide.

He also honoured over 10 citizens of Edo State who distinguished themselves in their various fields at the 2012 edition of Oba Erediauwa Award for Excellence held at the Palace Ground, Benin City.

The ceremony was presided over by the Oba himself, supported by his retinue of palace chiefs.

The recipients included the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, Prof. Osato Frank Giwa-Osagie, Pa Alufa Igbinovia, the sculptor who produced the art work which was used as the symbol of FESTAC 1977, and the late actor, Sam Loco Efe whose posthumous award was received by his son, Bismark among others.

The management of Intercontinental Distillers waså in the Oba’s palace to celebrate the Igue Festival with him.

Represented by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, the Oba praised the company for its untiring support for the festival.

The brand Manager of Eagle Schnapps, a subsidiary of the company, Kingsley Anuebunwa who led a delegation to the palace, said: “The Igue festival is the leading traditional festival of the whole of Edo State and the country at large.

“We are here basically to rejoice with the good people of Edo State who happen to be our loyalist for Eagle and Aromatic Schnapps. We are here also to celebrate the rich culture of the Edo people.

“We have had close relationship that is Eagle Aromatic Schnapps and the Edo people and by extension, the Igue Festival. We have had a good and close relationship for the past three years. We will always be at the palace to rejoice with the Oba and his subjects.

“We have a lot of promotional activities that are going around, starting from the first day to the last day. We are going to have a lot of promotional activities. We have a lot of gift items for consumers and visitors to the palace who come to the festival. We also have the road show that we have done to create excitements. We also have a lot of activities like free drinks and others which we are using to create excitements for the people.”

Twenty-four-year old Pharmacist, Samantha Aipoh emerged the star prize winner of the maiden Igue Festival beauty Peagant. The ceremony, which held at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre was part of activities to mark the Igue.

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saa’d Abubakar and Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan are among dignitaries to grace the 2013 Auchi Day Festival in Edo State slated for early January. The Sultan is expected to declare the day open.

A statement yesterday by the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh and made available to journalists yesterday, said that there would be a lecture with the theme, ‘The Purpose of Life.’ He also said that the Chief Imam of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Sheikh Abdul-Lateef Abdul-Hakeem and that of Arafat Mosque, Auchi, Edo State, Prof. Zakarau Oseni would also attend the occasion.

Oseni, according to the statement, would deliver a lecture on ‘The Century of Adoption of Islam as a Way of Life in Auchi Kingdom (1912-2012).’

Also expected to grace the event are Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Oba of Benin, Omo N’oba Erediauwa and the Emir of Zuru, Maj.-Gen. Sani Sami (rtd.)