AMA-EBIDE UGEH FESTIVAL 2026: PERE OF GBARAMATU PAYS HISTORIC VISIT TO INIKOROGHA AFTER NINE YEARS
Inikorogha, one of the ancient communities of the Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, stood still in reverence and joy on Monday, January 5, 2026, as history unfolded during the Ama-Ebide Ugeh Festival. After nine years, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, made a royal visit that many described as both symbolic and spiritually significant.
From the moment the royal procession arrived, the atmosphere shifted. Drums rolled, voices rose in songs of welcome, and the land itself seemed to respond as the monarch stepped into the community. For the people of Inikorogha, the visit was a reconnection with the throne and a reaffirmation of identity, heritage, and belonging.
Accompanied by respected traditional rulers, including the Ibenanaowei of Tubutoru Kingdom in Ondo State and the Pere of Olodiama Kingdom in Edo State, the visit reflected unity among kingdoms and the shared cultural values that bind the region together. Their presence added depth to the festival, turning it into a gathering of thrones and traditions.
A defining moment of the day came when the Pere, alongside the visiting royal fathers, offered prayers for the land, the waters, and the people. Standing before chiefs, elders, youths, women, and returning sons and daughters from far and wide, the monarchs prayed for peace, prosperity, protection, and progress. Special prayers were offered for the sons and daughters of the kingdom, those at home and in the diaspora, seeking blessings upon their efforts, safety in their journeys, and success in their pursuits.
The Ama-Ebide Ugeh Festival, traditionally observed to mark the New Year, took on deeper meaning in 2026. It became a moment of spiritual renewal, cultural pride, and collective hope. As the monarchs prayed, the gathering reflected quietly, many viewing the moment as a blessing not only for Inikorogha but for the entire Gbaramatu Kingdom.
As celebrations continued with cultural displays and communal interactions, the message of the day was clear: the bond between the throne and the people remains strong. The royal visit, the prayers offered, and the gathering of sons and daughters from across regions stood as a reminder that tradition, when honored, continues to guide the future.
The 2026 Ama-Ebide Ugeh Festival will be remembered as the year history returned to Inikorogha, through royal footsteps, lifted prayers, and a community united in hope for the year ahead.
