Come Tuesday, December 24, 2019, Ogoja nation will go agog as the famous Aya Beach Peninsula Festival returns with a bang.
The 3-day event which is returning after 18 years, is hosted by the National Association for the Advancement of the Cross River People, NAACP in conjunction with King Ntol Ama Agboje the King of Nkim Ogoja and his entire kingdom.
The Organising Committee led by Chief Epas Mgbado which has Ntol DC Enamhe as Convener, recently released the programme of events for the festival.
According to the programme, 24th December 2019, will be Beach Picnic/Carnival. December 26th will be date for the Awards/Lectures while the ceremony climaxes on December 31st with an End of year Picnic.
The grand finale will feature finals of the Beach football competition, traditional wrestling competition, traditional dance competition, contemporary dance competition, arm wrestling, table tennis, Badminton, Volleyball, Miming /singing, Back flip competition and Best palm wine competition.
The organizers had earlier paid a courtesy call on HRH King Ntol Ama Agboje 111 who gave his Royal Blessings and expressed his excitement that he enjoyed Aya Beach Festival as a teenager and is glad it was returning in his reign as King.
According to insiders, back in the day Aya Beach was the place where the people of North and central Cross River(Ogoja), met every year to felicitate and show love to each other. In those days, Aya made young men to aspire to go to school as well as desist from societal vices. An apolitical gathering, Aya also challenged young men to do better and discouraged cultism.
This year’s festival which is themed “Aya Beach the melting point of the North”, will feature lectures from prominent men and women from Ogoja, who have impacted on society.
Prof Donald Omagu, a Professor of History, will deliver the keynote lecture on “History and Development of the Ogoja Nation”. Former Gov. Donald Duke will speak on the topic, “Dare to Dream”. Chief Mrs Mary Ekperi-Eta’s lecture will be on “Women and the future”. Rt Hon Agom Jarigbe Agom will speak on “Build the man build the community”, CP Lawrence Alobi Esq (former CP FCT ) will give a lecture on “Security starts with you”. Mr Pius Tawo’s lecture is titled “The Nigerian Economy a look at the Ogoja Economy”, Hon. Venatius Ikem will speak on “Cultism-the bane of society and the way out”, while Mike Upan Esq will give a talk on “The role of the family in the political evolution of Cross River“
Awards will be given to Sir Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State as well as former Governors, Dr Clement Ebri, Dr Liyel Imoke, Dr Donald Duke, Brig Gen Tony Ukpo and Chief Godswill Akpabio.
Other awardees include Prince Jeddy Agba, music maestro Capt. Sunny Neji, Chief Mrs Mary Ekperi-Eta, Senator Rose Oko, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, Senator KG Agabi, SAN, Senator Musa Adede, Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, Professor Zana Akpagu, Prof Solomon Ugabi, Paul Erokoro SAN, Joe Agi SAN, Dr Pius Tawo, Dr Steve Andzenge Abdul Mahmud Esq, Rt Hon Lego Idagbor, Rt Hon Peter Igbodor, Prince Akwaze Ofiono ,Chief Ugba Morphy, Chief Capt Hart Modey PhD, Hon Martins Orim, CP Johnny Abang and Fr Francis Eworo amongst others.
Awards will also be given to best graduating boy and girl who scored highest in WAEC.
The event will be chaired by Prince Akwase Ofiono while Father of the day is HRM Ntol George Ibembem, Paramount Ruler Ogoja Local Governent Area.
Chief Host of the event is Sir Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State with Prince Goddy Jedy-Agba, Hon. Minister Power (State) and Senator Godswil Akpabio, Hon. Minister Niger -Delta as Special Guests.
