By Ebi Kesiena
The fifth day of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) 25th-anniversary celebration in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, unfolded as a captivating display of cultural pride and regional unity, leaving a deep impression on thousands of attendees who gathered to witness the historic occasion.
Spearheaded by the Commission’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the day was meticulously designed to celebrate the cultural depth of the Niger Delta and honour the diversity of its nine states.
According to a statement from the Commission, the celebration marks a major milestone in the Commission’s journey of fostering development and strengthening regional identity, with Day 5 offering a vibrant expression of the Niger Delta’s soul through art, performance, and pageantry.
In his remarks, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku emphasised the importance of preserving cultural heritage as part of the Commission’s broader vision for sustainable development. He noted that a people’s growth is not only measured in infrastructure and economic metrics but also in the strength of their identity and cohesion.
“Today, we see the power of unity in our diversity. This celebration is about telling our stories, the stories of a people who have contributed immensely to Nigeria’s development and who deserve to be celebrated, not just for their oil but for their resilience, creativity, and culture,” Ogbuku said.
The cultural procession that opened the day’s events began at the Port Harcourt Polo Club and made its way to Yakubu Gowon Stadium. In a spectacular convergence of heritage, performers from Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, Ondo, Abia, and Imo states took part in the parade. Adorned in resplendent traditional attire, the groups danced, drummed, chanted, and dramatised the stories and values of their communities, drawing cheers from the crowd and applause from cultural scholars and leaders present.
From the high-energy Izon dancers to the graceful strides of Bini royalty, and the aquatic-inspired chants of the Itsekiri to the elaborate masquerade performances of the Efik and Ibibio, the event offered a kaleidoscope of ethnic pride. Each performance reinforced the collective strength of the Niger Delta’s cultural mosaic and the Commission’s goal of fostering solidarity among its diverse peoples.
Among the highlights was a showstopping masquerade performance that stirred both nostalgia and reverence. The masked dancer, clad in an intricately beaded costume with sweeping fabrics and spiritual motifs, moved with symbolic precision, captivating young and old alike. In Niger Delta tradition, masquerades represent ancestral presence and are often considered sacred emissaries between the spiritual and the earthly realms. Their dances are more than entertainment, they are rituals, embodying moral values, community wisdom, and historical memory.
For many in the audience, particularly the youth, the masquerade’s presence was a poignant reminder of a rich heritage that modern life often pushes to the margins.
“This is more than performance, this is identity. It’s how we remember who we are and where we come from,” said Preye.
Observers noted that the event also subtly bridged generational gaps, with schoolchildren and youth groups enthusiastically participating in the cultural march and even engaging in traditional chants and dances. The celebration became a living classroom, offering lessons in history, values, and community that textbooks rarely provide.
As the sun set over Port Harcourt and the sounds of drums faded, what remained was the resonant message of unity through culture. For the NDDC, Day 5 was not only about marking a silver jubilee, it was about rekindling the pride of the Niger Delta, showcasing its spirit, and reinforcing the commitment to a future where development and heritage go hand in hand.
The celebration continues in the days ahead, but Day 5 will stand out as a definitive moment in the NDDC’s legacy: a celebration of culture, a statement of purpose, and a symbol of the region’s undying flame.
