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By Young Freeborn, Warri
The annual Igbe holy festival by the Igbe Orhe Ofuafo Oghene Healing Home Inc, situated along Ughelli/Patani road, Unenurhie town in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, holds from March 23rd this year at the religious home’s premises.
Giving the breakdown of different religious activities lying up for this year’s convention to our correspondent, the ‘Uku’ in charge of the Igbe religious home, Uku Simon Efedudu, said, “On the 23rd of March is the vigil or watch night of praises and prayers. The watch night is always tremendous as ‘Orise’, a traditional name of the supreme God is there to perform great miracles for us.
“The second day of the holy festival which is March 24th is a day, I the ‘Uku’ in charge of the Igbe religious home will lead all my members and adherents, including all invitees in a dance procession to my community, which is the host community. The purpose is for the spiritual cleansing of all evil from the community and to also offer prayers of peace and prosperity for the entire community.
“On this day, there are different important places to visit by the entire Igbe congregation, which I call historical and spiritual sites. As an Uku, I enter the church community once in a year and it must be on this occasion of the holy festival.
“Then, the third day of the holy festival is a day my community leaders and family members pay homage to us here. That day is a kind of get-together for all of us. It’s a day we share together in love and giving. It’s a memorable day.
“While the fourth day of the festival is the memorial/ancestral worship day. It’s a day set aside to commune with the spirits of the holy people. In this case, it’s a day we serve the founder of this great religious home, the late Uku Sunday Efedudu. He founded this Igbe religious group. He was ordained Uku in 1975 by Uku Supreme Ibodje Ubiesha at Kokori Inland, the supreme headquarters of Igbe religion worldwide.
“However, the other three days are for different religious activities. We therefore invite all Igbe members and the lovers of this African religion to come and partake and witness the power of God in our midst in this year’s holy festival. You will indeed be glad for attending,” he said.
Speaking on the importance of the Igbe holy festival, the next in command to the ‘Uku’ and also the image maker (publicity secretary) of the Igbe religious home, Oyiko James Amuke said, the week-long holy festival was a time they seek the face of God on all problems confronting mankind on earth, including sicknesses, barrenness, poverty, crises and many other challenges. The Ughelli-based business mogul further invited Igbe worshippers all over the world, the host community, friends and lovers of African culture and religion to catch a glimpse of this year’s celebration.
