Chukwuma Calls for Cultural Preservation During Ukpalabor Festival, Seeks Urgent Action on Herdsmen Invasion

Chukwuma Calls for Cultural Preservation During Ukpalabor Festival, Seeks Urgent Action on Herdsmen Invasion

By Magnus Emuji 

A community leader and the Onochieze to the Okpala-Uku of Ike-Onicha in Onicha-Ukwuani, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, Ogbuiji Augustine Chukwuma, FHNR, has urged the people of Onicha-Onicha to remain steadfast in preserving and promoting their rich cultural heritage as the Onicha-Ukwuani clan commences the 2026 Ukpalabor Festival.

Chukwuma, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Delta State Civil Service, made the call in a goodwill message to his people on the occasion of the 2026 annual Ukpalabor Festival.

He stressed the need for the people to maintain peaceful coexistence and shun violence during and after the festival. He noted that Onicha-Ukwuani is known for its peace and hospitality, and reminded them that the Ukpalabor Festival symbolizes peace, unity, and love among the five Onicha-Ukwuani communities: Ike-Onicha, Amorji, Ibabu, Eweshi, and Ugiliamai.

Chukwuma noted that the festival is a period to demonstrate love by distributing food and farm produce to one another, particularly to strangers, in keeping with the spirit of being “our brother’s keeper.”

The retired Permanent Secretary stated that the people of Onicha-Ukwuani are peace-loving. He reaffirmed his appeal to the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the leadership of Ndokwa West Local Government Area to come to their aid over the invasion of their farmlands by herdsmen and their cattle.

Chukwuma said the appeal had become necessary due to the reoccupation of their farmlands by herdsmen and their cattle.

 The retired Permanent Secretary emphasized that fear had gripped their communities and, as a result, the people have found it difficult to go to their farms.

He stated that women in the area are at risk of being kidnapped or assaulted by herdsmen, especially around the boundaries with the neighboring Ogbagu-Ogume community, and that this has forced many to abandon their farms.

Chukwuma, however, lauded the state government and Ndokwa West LGA for their initial efforts to ensure that the herdsmen vacated the communities.

He noted that the herdsmen had reoccupied the communities with their cattle since August 5, which has continued to deprive residents of access to their farms.

Chukwuma used the opportunity to thank God for the gift of life and for marking his birthday. 

He assured that he would continue to serve God and redouble his commitment to community development as well as humanitarian activities, so as to positively impact society.

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