Corporate Sponsorship Will Sustain Bayelsa's Cultural Heritage, Says Gov. Diri
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has called on corporate organizations operating in the state to support and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Ijaw people by sponsoring cultural festivals as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
The governor made the appeal on Monday during the opening ceremony of the 69th Odi Ogori Ba Uge International Festival held in Odi Community, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Governor Diri described the Odi Ogori Ba Uge Festival as a historic celebration deeply rooted in the identity, resilience, and economic survival of the Odi people, stressing that such festivals deserve greater private sector investment to ensure their sustainability.
According to him, the festival commemorates the historic triumph of the Odi people over a mysterious and ferocious buffalo that once terrorized the community, preventing residents from accessing their farms and carrying out their social and economic activities.
He commended the people of Odi for preserving this important chapter of their history through the annual festival and urged other communities to continue safeguarding their cultural heritage.
"I am happy with what you are doing, but it is not yet enough. I want to see the private sector become part of the sponsorship of festivals like this in our state. I want to see banks and other corporate organizations in Bayelsa supporting activities like this," the governor said.
He noted that globally, major cultural festivals are largely sustained through private sector sponsorship rather than government funding.
"Celebrations like this across the world do not depend solely on government because they are mostly sponsored by the private sector. In our case, organizers often rely almost entirely on government support."
Governor Diri also emphasized the importance of understanding the historical significance of cultural celebrations instead of merely participating in them.
"It is not enough to come here simply to celebrate. We should also understand why we are celebrating because many people do not know the history behind this festival.
"I know the story behind this celebration. Hunters, through courage and skill, brought down the buffalo that had prevented members of the community from going to their farms. I believe God used the hunters and the people to secure their freedom.
"This celebration symbolizes freedom for a people who were held captive by fear. Through unity and determination, they overcame adversity and reclaimed their freedom."
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the 2026 Odi Ogori Ba Uge International Festival Planning Committee, Professor Ebikisei Udisi, described the festival as more than an annual cultural event, saying it serves as a living reminder of the history and identity of the Odi people.
According to him, the festival commemorates the historic victory over the dreaded Ogori, a wild and supernatural buffalo that terrorized the community for about five years, causing hunger, hardship, and severe disruption to traditional, social, and economic life.
"Today, 69 years after the historic killing of the Ogori, we gather for the 69th edition of this great festival.
"This is not just another festival. It is a celebration of the survival of a people, the power of unity, and the ability to transform painful historical experiences into a source of identity, pride, culture, and hope."
Professor Udisi said the celebration also honors the sacrifices of the community's ancestors and founding fathers, including King Akabagu Ofurugbo, during whose reign the Ogori terror occurred, and Akara Edike, the hunter credited with killing the dreaded buffalo.
"The story of Odi teaches us that adversity can be transformed into strength and that history must not merely be remembered but preserved and passed on to future generations. The Odi Ogori Ba Uge Festival remains a bridge between our past and our future," he said.
