The EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust, Mbo, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, held the grand finale of its maiden annual cultural and sports festival, drawing community members and visitors together in a colourful celebration of culture and unity.
The event, held in Mbo Local Government Area, marked a significant milestone for the Trust as it showcased the rich cultural heritage and sporting talents of the host communities.
Giving his welcome address during the event at the Community Secondary Grammar School, Ebughu, the Board of Trustees member-Mbo, Sir Asuquo Inuikim-Obon, described culture and tradition as the foundation of identity and community strength, warning that societies risk losing their essence if their cultural heritage is neglected.
Dr Inuikim who was flanked by the head, Management Committee of EMOIMEE, Chief Ulo Ante Uye; Mbo Management Committee member, Chief Edet Effiong Okon; the Advisory Committee member, Chief Ita Ntekim and others, said the festival was instituted to revive cultural consciousness, promote unity, and reaffirm the values that define the Oro people.
According to him, traditional institutions remain vital custodians of societal values such as respect, integrity, and collective responsibility, which must be preserved and passed on to younger generations.
Dr Inuikim noted that culture and traditions cannot survive without deliberate efforts to practise, teach, and sustain it, recalling how similar initiatives during his tenure as President of Oron Union, Lagos Branch, helped revive annual cultural festivals across Oro communities.
He assured that the EMOIMEE HCDT Mbo Cultural and Sports Festival was designed to be an annual event, with structures already in place to ensure its sustainability.
While acknowledging that the maiden edition might not be flawless, he urged stakeholders, including the local government council, to collaborate with the Trust to improve future editions, expressing optimism that the festival would grow into a colourful and unifying celebration of cultural heritage.
Also speaking, Chairman on the occasion, Prince Asuquo Antai, who commended EMOIMEE for putting up such a huge and colourful event, encouraged participating communities to see the opportunity as an avenue to ignite cultural rebirth for the purposes of preservation.
In his keynote address on the theme, “Our Culture, Our Pride: Preserving Indigenous Heritage for Sustainable Community Identity and Development”, Prince Chris Abasi Eyo, traced the historical background, the language, geography and topography, and the political history of Mbo local government area, while examining the perspective towards proper cultural preservation.
The Crowned Prince of Bakassi enjoined relevant stakeholders and custodians of community cultures and traditions to properly engage and ensure that those cultural values was put to use and preserved for the sake of posterity.
The event which featured boat regatta, a keenly contested football tournament, vibrant cultural performances and dances, as well as traditional wrestlings, drew participants and contestants from the five communities of Enwang, Uda, Ebughu, Udesi and Effiat in Mbo LGA.
Announcing winners of the Boat Regatta, the head of judges at the event and renowned music icon, Mr Christopher Esin popularly known as Mr Xto, listed winners as Ebughu, Uda, Effiat, Enwang and Udesi for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively.
Also announcing the football winners as Ebughu, Enwang, Effiat, Uda and Udesi for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th positions respectively, Mr Esin commended the teams for their passion and dedication in showcasing talents and representing communities at event.
Meanwhile, the organiser for the football tournament, Mr John Ekpenyong, who was flanked by the event Consultant, Miss Abigail Job, expressed satisfaction on the impact of the cultural and sports festival, saying the participating teams showcased enormous skills and enthusiasm to make the event colourful.
According to him, the festival provided a platform for promoting cultural preservation, youth engagement, and social cohesion, while reinforcing the EMOIMEE’s commitment to community development and grassroots participation.
Dignitaries at the event included the Engr Nse-Obong Essang, President-General designate of Oron Union; Chief Eddy Ukosin, president Oron Union Uyo Branch; and clan heads across the five communities of Mbo LGA, including HH Etim Okon Abang, Ukwong in Uda; HH Bassey Effiong Bassey, Effiat; HH Ita Ottong, Ubodung in Udesi; and HH Asuquo Antai Edubio, Ebughu.
Others included president-generals of the five communities, including Chief Ita Awak, Enwang; Mr Edem Ntekim, Udesi; Dr Titus Antai, Ebughu Chief Patrick Tom, Uda, and many other dignitaries from across Oro Nation too numerous to mention.
