Tracy Pen-Ogbolu Middle with some youths at the event
Obiaruku the administrative headquarter of Ukwuani local government area of Delta State held her long awaited carnival on Sunday, December, 29, 2013. The carnival which was characterised with many hurdles was to hold for one week with various activities, was almost aborted but for the dexterity of people like kwene Oxley, Tracy Pen Ogbolu, Alhaji San Oku and many other people of Obiaruku the carnival was organised to set the stage for future carnival.
The activity for that day started with the people of Obiaruku old and young gathering at the Old Sapele/Agbor road, by Ogbe-Aka junction to Amai road junction. Different cultural costumes and displays were show cased. The participants matching through the marked carnival routes with exciting gyration, fantastic colours and drumming.
Declaring, the Carnival open in Obiaruku, chief Chekam, the Ogbemeka of Ozegbe and Ugobueze of Obiaruku noted that this first edition of the Carnival was special, because it has helped to bring the sons and daughters of Ukwuani local government at home and diaspora, friends and well-wishers together. And also bring out the rich culture of the Obiaruku people and sell it to the World.
The Sunday Church activities did not affect the turnout of participants from parading the streets. In fact as at Friday, December, 27, 2013, some of the youths of Obiaruku who was at the town Hall, mistook the finals of Nwa Ada Ukwuani Beauty Pageant to be the proposed carnival event, and were agitated that the organisers had deceived the people.
In an interview, two of the organisers, Alhaji San Oku and Mrs Tracy Pen-Ogbolu were excited and thanked God the event finally held. Speaking first, Alhaji San Oku noted that Obiaruku in the past used to be a peaceful town whereby residents especially the youths enjoy moon light stories. But because of uncertainty and insecurity in the town the old beautiful Obiaruku had degenerated to a level that people now live in fear. He therefore used the opportunity to appeal to the youths to change for good.
For Mrs Tracy Pen-Ogbolu, “to God be the Glory” many people thought it will not hold, but the event will be better next year. She was so joyous considering the many hurdles which almost mar the event.
At the beginning the initial plan was to raise the sum of N56 million to organise and finance the empowerment of those that will come out winners in the various competition that will be organised, but apathy set in with suspicious and request for financial inducement from some sections of the ruling class of Obiaruku and some members who are supposed to see to the successful organisation of the Carnival.
Speaking with Ndokwa Reporters from London, the initiator, Mr Kwene Oxley said that the mini carnival just have to hold considering the enormous wealth of resources already committed to the project. He was optimistic that the carnival will bring changes to the people of Obiaruku and the neighbouring communities in Ukwuani local government area.
At the end of the event, a young lady from Aniocha won the Miss Carnival. Also the different masquerade dance of the people were on display, the Ukwata dance, the Izomo 1 of Obiaruku and the young at heart like young beautiful “lily Girls” who said they were out to promote the culture of Obiaruku.
