Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has appealed to banks, businesses and other private sector players in the state to support the preservation of indigenous culture by sponsoring traditional festivals through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
The governor appealed on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 69th edition of the Odi Ogori Ba Uge International Festival held in Odi community, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Speaking at the event, Diri said cultural celebrations across the world thrive largely through private sector contributions rather than government funding.
📢 Stay Updated — Join Our WhatsApp Channel
💬 Be Part of Our WhatsApp Community
Join our WhatsApp Channel for curated updates, breaking stories, and exclusive insights from our newsroom.
📲 Join 👉 NRTC WhatsApp Channel
He noted that festivals such as the Odi Ogori Ba Uge are not only important for preserving history and traditions but also have the potential to promote economic activities and tourism, making them worthy of sustained support from corporate organisations.
The governor urged financial institutions and companies operating in Bayelsa to take greater responsibility in supporting cultural initiatives instead of leaving the burden solely on the government.
READ ALSO: Diri pledges support to South-South development commission
Diri praised the people of Odi for maintaining the annual festival, describing it as a reflection of their commitment to protecting their heritage.
He also encouraged participants to remember the historical significance behind the celebration.
According to him, the festival recalls the period when brave hunters united to confront and defeat a dangerous wild buffalo that had disrupted farming activities and affected the livelihood of residents.
He described the victory as a symbol of courage, unity and the community’s determination to overcome challenges.
Earlier, the Chairman of the 2026 Odi Ogori Ba Uge International Festival Planning Committee, Ebikisei Udisi, described the festival as a historical tradition that preserves the identity and values of the Odi people.
Udisi explained that the celebration commemorates the triumph of the community over the Ogori, a feared wild buffalo believed to have terrorised the kingdom for five years, causing hardship and preventing residents from carrying out farming and other economic activities.
He highlighted that the festival represents the community’s journey from adversity to resilience, noting that the 69th edition celebrates decades of preserving the memory of the historic victory.
The committee chairman also paid tribute to historical figures linked to the event, including King Akabagu Ofurugbo, who ruled during the period of the buffalo’s reign of terror, and Akara Edike, the hunter credited with killing the beast.
READ ALSO: Bayelsa gov Diri resigns from PDP alongside speaker, lawmakers
He further acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices of the founders of the Odi, Imgbela and Amasain lineages, whose efforts helped secure the future of generations that followed.
Udisi said the festival serves as a connection between the past and present, stressing the importance of preserving history and passing cultural values to younger generations.
