“Our Culture Is Alive,” Waadah Declares at Bane Cultural Fiesta

Bane community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State came alive with tradition, unity and celebration on Tuesday, December 31, 2025, as Chief Anthony Waadah, Gbenemene of the Lego Kingdom, hosted the 5th edition of the Bane Cultural Fiesta. The colourful event, held at the Bane Town Field, attracted traditional rulers, chiefs, elders, youths, women groups, cultural stakeholders, sons and daughters of Bane in the diaspora, as well as local and international guests.

Bane, the hometown of the late environmental rights icon, Kenule Saro-Wiwa, once again asserted its place as a cultural heartbeat of Ogoniland.

Declaring the fiesta open, Chief Waadah addressed the entire people of Bane and Ogoniland, describing the event as more than entertainment but a call to unity, reflection and collective responsibility. He said culture remains the soul of the people and a powerful reminder of their shared identity and history. “Our culture is our story. It defines who we are as a people and reminds us where we come from. Today, through our dances, songs, language and traditional attire, Bane is speaking with one voice. We are telling the world clearly that our culture is alive, strong and worth preserving,” he said.
The traditional ruler described the sustainability of the fiesta to its fifth edition as evidence of unity, sacrifice and love for heritage among the people.

According to him, the continued celebration of the festival shows a collective determination to protect cultural values and pass them on to future generations. He stressed that culture must be deliberately linked with peace, tourism and economic growth, noting that development can only thrive in an atmosphere of harmony and understanding. “When there is peace, culture flourishes, tourism grows and economic opportunities follow. Culture and development must go hand in hand,” Waadah stated.
Addressing youths, elders, parents and community leaders, the Gbenemene urged discipline, pride and responsibility, emphasizing that culture is not outdated but a guide for character, respect and unity. He charged the youths to carry the name of Bane with dignity wherever they find themselves, while calling on the entire community to see the upbringing of children as a collective responsibility. He also paid tribute to women for their role in sustaining families and traditions but stressed that the progress of Bane requires the commitment of everyone—men, women, youths and elders alike.
Chief Waadah further appealed to sons and daughters of Bane in the diaspora to remain connected to home, describing development as a shared responsibility that transcends distance. He reaffirmed his personal commitment to initiatives that promote culture, youth development, entrepreneurship and peace in Bane and across Ogoniland, assuring the people of his continued support for programmes that strengthen unity and collective progress.
A solemn spiritual moment formed a major highlight of the fiesta as Chief Waadah offered prayers for peace and justice in Ogoniland, calling on the gods of the land to expose anyone working to short-change the people or betray the dreams, vision and sacrifices of Ogoni founding fathers and forebears. The prayer session was followed by the traditional 21-gun salute, symbolizing honour, authority and ancestral continuity.
The event featured electrifying performances by several cultural troupes and indigenous artistes, including Akuni Cultural Troupe of Kpong, Baribii of Buan, Karikpo Cultural Group of Bane, Amanikpo Cultural Group of Gokana, Kanu Tete Cultural Club of Bodo City, Ohu Olu of Kono, Gbene Saro Ziaj Cultural Play of Kono, Francis Baker Dance Academy, Eleme Unity Band, the Famous Igbo of Ebeka from Okrika, the Mami Water Cultural Group and popular performer Sis Beatrice Nyoryor, among others, all of whom thrilled the audience with their unique displays of music, dance and drama.
Speaking at the event, Chief Teeth Baah Michael, a member of the Kwawa Council of Chiefs, described the fiesta as first of its kind, unique and colourful, praising Chief Waadah for investing his hard-earned resources to promote peace, unity and the cultural heritage of the Ogoni people. He said the celebration demonstrated leadership by example and called on other well-meaning sons and daughters of Ogoni to support cultural initiatives.
High Chief Rogers Beeue also commended Chief Waadah and the participating cultural groups for their outstanding performances, urging leaders and governments at all levels to invest more in culture and tourism as veritable tools for unity, youth engagement and economic development. As drums echoed into the night and dancers thrilled the crowd, the 5th Bane Cultural Fiesta stood as a powerful reminder that in Bane, culture is not only remembered but actively lived, protected and proudly passed on to future generations.