From Aliu Momoh, Okene
The Ohindase of Okengwe, HRH, chief Ibrahim Usman Okidi, has expressed satisfaction over the peaceful celebration of this year’s edition of the annual Ebe masquerade festival in Okene LGA of Kogi State.
Speaking on the peaceful celebration of the night masquerade festival, the Ohindase of Okengwe, who doubles as the chairman of Ebira Cultural Festivals Reformation Committee, also expressed satisfaction with custodians of EBE festival for accepting to adjust the period of celebration to allow Christians in the area to mark the recent palm Sunday.
The traditional ruler then called for continued understanding between traditionalists and other religions in the area, in order for peace to reign.
The Ohindase then seized the opportunity to commend governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his profound interest in Ebira Cultural Festivals, through his call for a reformation of the crisis prone masquerade festivals in Ebira land.
He also hailed the governor for returning the rights of traditional rulers on the issuance of permits to masquerades, stressing that it will allow the effective control of the masquerades.
The Ohindase also assured that the Ebira Cultural Festivals Reformation Committee , constituted by the Ohinoyi of Ebira, HRM. Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Muhammad Anaje, is working assiduously to come up with far reaching recommendations that will lead to the reformation of the masquerade festivals in the area.
While calling on traditionalists in the area, to brace up and adjust to the forthcoming reforms that will bring about peace during celebrations and make the festivals attractive, the Ohindase called for government’s support in the area of implementation.

