Akatakpa Festival promotes peace, Unity in Ikpomolokpo — Ado LG Chairman, Oche

The Chairman of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, Hon. Engr. Sunny Oche, has described the Akatakpa Festival as a significant cultural heritage that promotes peace, unity and spiritual cleansing among the people of Ikpomolokpo.

Oche stated this on Saturday while participating in the annual Akatakpa Festival, which heralds the Ere Onunu traditional ceremony in Ikpomolokpo, Ado LGA.

According to the council chairman, the festival is more than a cultural celebration, noting that it serves as a traditional rite of cleansing the land from diseases and other misfortunes while ushering in peace, harmony and prosperity for the people.

“Over the weekend, on Saturday, I celebrated with my kinsmen of Ikpomolokpo at the Akatakpa Festival, which heralds the Ere Onunu ceremony. The significance of the festival is the cleansing of the land from all diseases and the bringing of peace and harmony to the people of Ikpomolokpo,” Oche said.

The chairman commended the community for preserving its rich cultural heritage, describing the colourful ceremony as a reflection of the people’s unity, identity and shared values.

He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining close ties with communities across the local government, stressing that effective leadership requires continuous engagement with the grassroots.

The event attracted traditional leaders, elders, youths and indigenes of Ikpomolokpo, who gathered to celebrate one of the community’s most cherished cultural festivals through traditional displays, music and other cultural performances.