Chief (Dr.) Justin Oberhiri Uloho who ably represented Senator (Chief) Ede. Dafinone, a member representing Delta Central in the National Assembly (1st Left) in a group photograh with Chief (Barr.) Abel Idigu (1st right), at the event Hall in Wetland Hotel recently, during the Urhobo Music Festival and Award Day ceremony, held in the Hotel , at Mofor Junction, Oruwhorun, near Warri, Delta State.
By Victor Umukoro Kobodokuni
A member representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator ( Chief) Ede Dafinone has assured of his immense contributions towards the growth and development of Urhobo Music Festival Award.
Senator ( Chief) Dafinone gave this assurance recently at the prestigious Wetland Hotel, Mofor Junction, DSC Express Junction, Udu near Warri in Delta State at Urhobo nation’s First Urhobo Music Festival and Awards ( UMFA) Initiative.
According to him, it is a programme that would promote oneness, unity and understanding among Urhobos just as he said it would promote Urhobo culture and traditions in all respects. He said by its nature, it would the stand the test of time.
He therefore urged Urhobo people to anchor on unity that would make them stand and promote the culture as they are gradually moving to a tougher time in their life. Senator Chief Dafinone was ably represented by Chief ( Dr.) Justin Oberhiri said he enjoys putting his best in such a lucrative platform that would benefit his people promising not relent in his efforts in ensuring that he gives his best to see that this Urhobo Music Festival and Award Initiative becomes a huge success in Urhobo land.
Senator Chief Dafinone urged Urhobo to learn to work, understand and maximize their strength and use the same to best advantage of Urhobo Land.
According to him, Urhobos are unique people with rich culture, saying if they can bring all these good attributes together, he would ensure that the people certainly get to an enviable height.
He used the medium to remind the Urhobos that they should also know that there are also sons and daughters of land living in Diaspora who would also appreciate their efforts in this regard.
Senator Chief Dafinone who expressed happiness over the programme, said with the commencement of this programme, the Urhobo people are now moving at the right direction in the area of recognition of Artistes in Urhobo Music, showcasing of cultural values of the Urhobos.
He encouraged some personalities who have performed excellently in Urhobo nation, with various Awards to continue to their best in this regard.
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While commending the efforts of the organizers for good work done, he urged them to keep the flag flying in this direction: continue to show case the face of the Urhobos in their cultural values as that has given them a sense of belonging, promoting unity, understanding, oneness and love. He gave the assurance that since this is the first edition of the programme, the organizers would definitely do better and greater in their subsequent editions.
High point of the ceremony was the giving of awards to some persons for their excellent performances in the areas of best Urhobo music video, most outstanding innovative Urhobo musicians, most outstanding Urhobo culture dance group, most outstanding Urhobo gospel musical group, most outstanding Urhobo gospel solo musicians, most outstanding Urhobo traditional music group, most outstanding Urhobo traditional female musicians, Urhobo new musicians of the year, life time achievement awards, posthumous awards, special recognition awards, iconic supporter of Urhobo, most outstanding Urhobo orator, music outstanding, most outstanding Urhobo music dancer and most outstanding Urhobo music calloborator.
The awardees include: Mr. Jerry Ekpkuro, Mr. Nathaniel Oruma, King Naokpodia, Pro. I .D . Ubiri, Evang. O G. Clark, Mr G Sally Young, Mr. Felix Korhokorho, Mr. Emuobo. Okpan Orhibo, Ese Agbanobi, Ema Dance group, Udje dance of Aladja, Udje dance of Orhuwhorun, Evang. Egbekikesu group,
Others were Evang. Agorghene Edio Group, Evang. Ekpekuro , Evang. O.G. Clark, Evang. Victor Thompson, Evang. Ayobor Akegor , Mr. Lucky Olomu Ogburine , Mr. Michael Efe Ejeba, Ms. Shun Bebe, Yungezee Onos, Prof. Johnson Adjah, Mr. Oguta, Prof. Admiral Barrister, Orhire Okoro, Mr. Okpan Arhibo, Kefee. Obareki, Don Momoh, Chief Arhigho and his wife, Goddayb Omokuare, Mr. Jogodo, Mr. David Akpere, Mr. Abeke and many Others.