𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀

By NigerDelta Voice,

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called on corporate organisations operating in the state to support cultural festivals through sponsorship as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The governor made the call on Monday during the opening ceremony of the 69th edition of the Odi Ogori Ba Uge International Festival held in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Diri described cultural festivals as important symbols of history, identity and economic development, stressing that celebrations such as the Odi Ogori Ba Uge festival deserve stronger participation from the private sector.

According to him, many globally recognised cultural events are sustained largely through private sector partnerships rather than relying solely on government funding.

“I am happy with what you are doing, but it is not yet enough. I want to see the private sector as part of the sponsorship of festivals like this,” the governor said.

He specifically appealed to banks and other businesses operating in Bayelsa to invest in cultural events, noting that such support would help preserve the state’s rich heritage while promoting tourism and economic opportunities.

The governor explained that the Odi Ogori Ba Uge Festival represents more than entertainment, describing it as a celebration of unity, resilience and freedom.

He recalled the history behind the festival, where hunters in the community united to overcome a mysterious buffalo that had disrupted farming activities and affected the livelihood of residents for several years.

“This celebration actually means freedom for the people, who were imprisoned by a buffalo. In unity they fought back because they wanted freedom,” Diri said.

Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, Prof. Ebikisei Udisi, described the festival as a living record of the history and identity of the Odi people.

Udisi said the annual celebration commemorates the victory of the community over the Ogori buffalo, which reportedly brought hardship, hunger and uncertainty to residents for about five years.

He noted that the festival serves as a reminder that challenges can be transformed into strength, adding that the story of Odi must continue to be preserved for future generations.

According to him, the community will continue to honour its ancestors, including King Akabagu Ofurugbo, during whose reign the incident occurred, and Akara Edike, whose bravery led to the killing of the buffalo.

The festival, he added, remains a symbol of cultural pride, unity and hope for the people of Odi and Bayelsa State.