Echane Festival Wahala: A Call for Peace and Reorganization
It is important to emphasize that no masquerade should bear a name that stirs envy, jealousy, or a sense of undue seniority over others. Such practices only sow division and threaten the unity of our cultural heritage.
The Cultural Committee Union has failed in its responsibilities. Its executive members should take urgent steps to reorganize their leadership and restore public confidence in their ability to manage Echane Festival with fairness and wisdom.
To prevent future conflicts, no two masquerades bearing the same or similar names should be allowed to go out on the same day. The painful lessons from the ANEKU UBA of Idoji and Idozumi incidents must never be repeated.
Youths who did not witness the crises from 2009 and earlier may not understand the dangers. Elders who lived through and actively participated in the Okene civil crisis must guide the younger ones and discourage them from repeating the same mistakes.
Let peace, unity, and wisdom guide our cultural celebrations.
From the desk of Comrade Jelil Adabara
Peace Ambassador