By EMTV News
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE — The Grand Finale of the 2026 Obunem Epie Festival came to a colourful close in Opolo Autonomous Community, with a renewed call for the preservation of cultural heritage and greater investment in youth development, education, and innovation.
Chairman of the occasion, His Highness Barr. Osomkime Edwin Blankson, Owulovie Ibe I of Epie Kingdom and Bayelsa State Director of the City Boy Movement, described the festival as a celebration of the rich history, identity, and unity of the Epie people.
Blankson expressed profound appreciation to the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Pastor Peter Peretoru Akpe, who represented Governor Senator Douye Diri at the event. He also commended the Chief Host, His Royal Majesty, King Barr. Malla Sasime (JP), Obenibe XI of Epie Kingdom, for his unwavering commitment to preserving the customs and traditions of the Epie Kingdom.
The ceremony attracted an impressive gathering of eminent personalities, including His Royal Majesty King Victor Diemeze Awala, Ebeni Ibe of Atissa Kingdom; Distinguished Senator Emmanuel Paulker; Distinguished Senator Konbowei Benson; Hon. Oboku A. Oforji, Member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma Federal Constituency; Arch. Reuben Okoya; Hon. Richard Akinaka, Chief Executive Officer of Abito Global; Hon. Ayibanegiyefa Egba; Hon. Ebieri Jones, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment; traditional rulers, political leaders, business executives, and prominent sons and daughters of the Epie Kingdom.
Addressing the gathering, Blankson emphasized that preserving culture must go hand in hand with preparing young people for the future through education, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and human capital development.
«”Culture remains the soul of every people. While we must continue to preserve and promote our heritage, we must also prepare for the future by placing greater emphasis on education, entrepreneurship, innovation, and human capital development,” he stated.»
He urged youths to leverage Federal Government programmes such as the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that they provide opportunities for skills acquisition, innovation, and economic empowerment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, the future prosperity of the Epie Kingdom depends not only on celebrating its cultural identity but also on equipping the younger generation with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive world.
The 2026 Obunem Epie Festival concluded with colourful cultural displays, traditional performances, and renewed commitments by stakeholders to preserve the values, traditions, and unity that have defined the Epie people for generations.
EMTV News reports that the annual Obunem Epie Festival remains one of Bayelsa State’s foremost cultural celebrations, bringing together traditional institutions, government officials, community leaders, and the Epie people from across Nigeria and the diaspora to celebrate their heritage and promote unity and development.
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