By David Owei, Bayelsa

A New Year reunion party of indigenes of Brass Island in Bayelsa State brought together former political adversaries, offering a fresh push for reconciliation after years of divisions driven by political differences.

The event, organised by the group Old Time Friends in Brass Island and sponsored by former federal lawmaker Rt. Hon. Israel Sunny Goli — who represented the Nembe/Brass constituency in the House of Representatives — took place at the Banquet Hall of the Government House. It drew traditional rulers, politicians, youth and women leaders, signalling a collective desire to move beyond past animosities.

Attendees described the atmosphere as enthusiastic and hopeful. HRH Moses Theophilus Kenibara V, the traditional ruler of Moko Ama, Sangana, expressed delight at the gathering and called for sustained peace.

“The enthusiasm among those present was contagious,” one participant noted, highlighting the warm interactions among long-estranged kinsmen.

High Chief Dr. Kune Igoni Claudius, who chaired the occasion, described the reunion as historic. “The forum and today’s celebration are a signal of better things ahead,” he said. “What is happening here should serve as an awakening of all of us. It reminds us that friendship should last longer than misunderstandings, and that old quarrels, like expired phone numbers, should not be redialed.”

Claudius praised the sponsor, noting Sunny Goli’s track record in fostering unity. “Rt. Hon. Sunny Goli has a gift for bringing people together. Unity is his profession,” he said. “He would have retired with honours. The initiative reflects his belief that leadership is not about titles alone but about bringing people together, especially those who have not seen each other since hairlines were still negotiating peacefully.”

He urged residents to seize the moment as a turning point. “Life is too short and reunions are too rare to waste time on grudges that even we can no longer remember clearly,” Claudius added. “The people of Brass Island should rejoice together rather than return to the animosities of the past.”

Sunny Goli, the event’s initiator, framed the gathering as a revival of traditional communal ties. “The gathering has shown the positive disposition of all Brass Islanders to the issue of reawakening social life on the island,” he said. “It is to bring people who have not seen each other for a decade or two together.”

He emphasised broader implications: “It is a message to all that the social and economic life of our people should return in the atmosphere of peace.”

The reunion underscores ongoing efforts in Brass Island — part of Brass Local Government Area — to overcome political fractures that have strained families and communities for decades, with organisers positioning it as a foundation for renewed harmony and progress.

By Our Correspondent

At last Anambra Police Command has unveiled the identity of the detained masquerade reported to have assaulted scores of innocent people and destroyed a lot of property at Awgbu, Orumba North Local Government area, Anambra state, has been revealed as Ifesinachi Ezeolu, aged 28, by the state Police command.

Recall that the detention of the masquerade followed widespread public concern and reports of assaults and intimidation of residents by the masquerade.

In a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga, (SP), he said that, “The Command wishes to clearly state that the Nigeria Police Force respects and recognises the cultural and traditional practices of the people.

” However, no cultural activity or belief system should be used as a cover to harass, assault, intimidate, or violate the fundamental human rights of citizens.

“The Command also emphasizes that masquerade activities, like all public gatherings, must be conducted peacefully and within the confines of the law.

“Therefore, any act capable of causing fear, injury, or public disorder will be promptly addressed. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to identify and bring to justice other suspects who are linked to the incident,” he maintained.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP, Ikioye Orutugu, has reassured residents that the Command will continue to work with traditional rulers, community leaders, and stakeholders to promote peaceful cultural expressions, while ensuring the safety and rights of all individuals.

By Magnus Chukwudi, Port Harcourt.

The Dikenafai Ancient Kingdom in Ideato South Local Government Area LGA of Imo state, has celebrated the first public outing of its new traditional ruler, the Eze Ebubedike II of Dikenafai, His Royal Highness HRH Eze Ezekiel Uchenna Odoemena.

The event held at Ezumezu Dikeoshie, marked the monarch’s first official presentation and celebration of leadership, unity, and cultural heritage.

Highlights of the ceremony included: free medical outreach, showcasing of the kingdom’s commitment to community welfare. Other activities were ; peace talks with traditional rulers, emphasising unity and cooperation; and conferment of chieftaincy titles on illustrious sons, who had contributed to Dikenafai’s development. The programmes further comprised a visit to the Orie Ukwu market, promotion of local farm products and distribution of goods to restore the market’s glory and traditional wrestling, ‘Ekere Mgba.’

Eze Ezekiel Odoemena affirmed that the ‘Ezumezu’ festival is meant to unite the people, just as it signifies a new beginning for the community. He observed that the medical outreach was not just about providing healthcare, but also about building trust and unity in the community.

The royal father noted that the community recognised the critical challenges in healthcare access and used the medical outreach to bridge the gaps in healthcare delivery in Dikenafai.

The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the event, Chief Joachin Olumba, Emetumba I, described the outreach programme as a unique opportunity for the people to access free medical care, assuring that, it would help unite them.

He stressed: “There is nothing better than peace, because there can be no development without it.”

He applauded the free medical outreach, which provided essential medical services, including check-ups, treatments, and health education. He also commended the team of doctors, nurses, and volunteers, who worked tirelessly to make a positive impact on the community.

He said that the medical outreach provided numerous benefits, including improved access to healthcare services for underserved populations, free medical treatment and health education to promote preventive care.

The Traditional Ruler of Umuakam Autonomous Community, the Akamigbo III of Umuakam, Eze P.E. Ewuzie, commended Eze Odoemena, for facilitating the medical outreach, which brought doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to the community level.

He congratulated the Dikenafai monarch on his formal recognition by the Imo State Government and on receiving the support of his people.

The Chairman of the Sub Committee on Publicity and Protocol, Chief Azubuike Erunugha, Ph.D, stressed the importance of regular medical check-ups.

He stated: “True community health goes beyond treatment to sustained awareness, lifestyle adjustments, and prevention.”

“Our focus is not only on treatment but also on prevention, through sensitisation and community health education,” he said.
Erunugha expressed gratitude to partners, volunteers and community members, noting that their collaboration amplified the programme’s impact.

The Head of the Medical Outreach team and the Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Lagos, Prof. Francis Duru, credited the success of the outreach to the collaboration between Eze Odoemena and other stakeholders.

“This initiative underscores the power of collaboration. We were able to mobilise resources, personnel, and expertise to achieve remarkable outcomes. The smiles we see today are our greatest reward,” he said.

Prof Duru assured that the medical outreach would now be an annual event with better services. He thanked the medical professionals who participated in the outreach programme.

The President, Inclusive Health Corporation USA, Dr Ikechi Okwara, observed that the medical outreach, organised at the instance of Eze Odoemena was exploratory in the sense that it laid the foundation for future medical interventions.

He said that, beyond providing basic medical services to the less privileged, the medical outreach also served as a platform for health education, raised awareness of diseases and their prevention, and promoted healthy practices.

Dr Okwara said that by educating the community, the outreach would encourage healthier lifestyles and the adoption of preventive measures to reduce the burden of diseases.

He stated that the medical outreach would help level the playing field, ensuring that more people have access to the care they need, regardless of their economic status.

Also speaking, a former member of the House of Representatives, Right Hon. Pascal Chigozie Obi, remarked that the medical intervention had given hope to the hopeless and helpless.

Another member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Barr Ikeagwuonu Onyinye Ugochinyere, graced the occasion. ###.