In a vibrant display of cultural pride and forward-thinking community action, the Orokere-Amuro community in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State held its annual cultural day on Monday, December 29, 2025. The event, however, was far more than a festival; it was a strategic convergence of heritage, unity, and a bold, concrete plan for self-driven development.
Organised by the Orokere Amuro Welfare Association (OWA) in collaboration with the Traditional Council, the gathering drew government officials, political leaders, business figures, and community members from near and far. At its heart were two intertwined missions: the preservation of a rich cultural identity and the launch of a N100 million Community Development Fundraising Initiative.
Culture as the Foundation for Progress
Mr. Olusegun Peter, National President of OWA, framed the celebration as the essential bedrock for communal advancement. “This celebration reflects our rich culture, our unity, and our shared responsibility for development,” he stated. He emphasized that such festivals are critical for the intergenerational transmission of traditions, instilling core values like hard work, discipline, and respect in the youth. In a poignant moment, he also remembered community members lost during the year, reinforcing the bonds of kinship that underpin collective effort.
The AjugbonJagun of Orokere Amuro, Oba Arogbonlo Micheal, expressed gratitude for the safety and attendance of guests, acknowledging the challenging national context of insecurity. His remarks highlighted the traditional institution’s role as a pillar of stability and guidance, a sentiment echoed by Mr. Peter’s commendation of the Traditional Council and elders.
The N100 Million Development Fund: A Blueprint for Self-Reliance
The cultural celebration served as the launchpad for a major practical initiative. The OWA’s call for support for the N100 million fund marks a shift from waiting for government intervention to proactive, community-owned development. Such funds are typically deployed for priority projects that directly impact quality of life, which may include:
- Infrastructure: Building or rehabilitating community halls, roads, water boreholes, and electrification projects.
- Education: Establishing scholarships, renovating schools, or creating ICT hubs.
- Healthcare: Supporting the free medical services offered at the event on a more permanent basis, perhaps through a community health post.
- Economic Empowerment: Funding micro-loans or grants for local entrepreneurs and farmers.
This model of communal fundraising, often supported by diaspora contributions, is becoming a powerful tool for grassroots development across Nigeria, allowing communities to dictate their own pace and priorities.
Security and Unity: The Necessary Environment for Growth
The speeches by dignitaries seamlessly connected cultural cohesion with contemporary challenges. Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, praised Orokere’s cultural depth but issued a stark reminder on security, urging vigilance and proactive information sharing to combat banditry. “We must expose them anywhere we see them before they strike,” he advised.
This theme was reinforced by Mopamuro Local Government Chairman, Mr. Ademola Bello, and retired Commodore Folusho Michael Daniel, who succinctly noted, “Security is everybody’s business.” Their collective message was clear: sustainable development cannot occur in an atmosphere of fear and instability. Community unity, manifested through events like the cultural day, is the first line of defense and the foundation upon which projects like the development fund can successfully be built.
A Holistic Celebration of Community
The day’s highlights perfectly encapsulated this dual focus on heritage and progress. Alongside the powerful cultural displays, exhibitions of local delicacies, and awards of recognition, the formal launch of the N100 million fund and the provision of free medical services demonstrated a community caring for both its soul and the well-being of its people.
Reported by Stephen Adeleye for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the event in Orokere-Amuro stands as a compelling case study of how Nigerian communities are leveraging their cultural capital to fuel tangible, self-determined progress in the face of broader socio-economic challenges.
ASA/KTO
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
