The Publisher of Savannah Newshub, Mr. Abdulkarim Omuya Adubi Abdulmalik, has described Egbira culture as a powerful instrument for unity, identity, and socio-economic progress among Egbira people living outside their ancestral homeland.
He made this assertion on December 6, 2025, while delivering a keynote address at the Launch of the Community Hall and Egbira Cultural Day, organised by the Egbira Community Association, Gwagwalada, at Government Day Secondary School, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “Egbira Culture: A Tool for Unity and Progress in the Diaspora,” Abdulmalik said culture remains the soul of any people and a reliable anchor for identity, particularly for communities living far from home.
“For the Egbira people, culture is more than tradition; it is our identity, strength, and unifying bond,” he said. “From Okene, Adavi, Okehi and Ajaokuta to Abuja, Lagos and across Europe, America and the Middle East, our shared values continue to bind us together.”
He traced the origin of the Egbira people to the ancient Kwararafa Kingdom, noting that the name Egbira Opete reflects their historical settlement around the confluence of the Rivers Niger and Benue. He described the Egbira as a republican, industrious people whose social structure promotes fairness, communal responsibility and respect for elders.
Abdulmalik highlighted key elements of Egbira culture including agriculture, weaving, respect for elders, strong family systems and rich festivals such as Ekuechi, Eche Ane and Eche Ori, which he said embody the people’s spirituality, artistry and communal values.
While acknowledging the cultural significance of masquerade traditions, the publisher stressed that culture must evolve with time. He called for reforms in aspects of traditional practices that encourage secrecy, hostility or violence, noting that culture should align with modern realities, human rights and technological advancement.
“We are in the era of ICT and Artificial Intelligence. Culture must adapt. Masquerade festivals can be reformed into organised cultural tourism capable of generating income, as seen in neighbouring communities,” he said.
He further noted that religion and modern education have reshaped cultural beliefs, urging Egbira people to retain values that promote morality, unity and productivity while discarding practices that hinder progress.
On the Egbira diaspora, Abdulmalik commended the role of cultural associations in preserving language, festivals and mutual support systems, describing them as bridges linking the diaspora to home.
“Wherever Egbira people gather, culture creates belonging. It unites more deeply than politics or economics because it speaks to shared emotions, language and memory,” he said.
He warned that the gradual loss of Egbira language and oral traditions among younger generations poses a serious threat to identity, especially among children born abroad. To address this, he advocated documentation of Egbira culture, deliberate language teaching at home and in diaspora communities, and stronger collaboration with traditional institutions, particularly the Ohinoyi of Egbiraland.
Abdulmalik concluded that Egbira culture remains a living philosophy and moral compass capable of guiding the people toward unity and sustainable development wherever they reside.
Quoting a traditional saying, he said: “Avuvobe ovukatani” — there is power in unity.
The event featured cultural displays and brought together Egbira leaders, professionals and residents of the Federal Capital Territory, reinforcing calls for cultural preservation as a pathway to collective progress.
Egbira Culture Can Unite, Drive Progress in Diaspora — Adubi Abdulmalik
