People of Auchi Mark The 23rd Edition of Auchi Day Celebration

People of Auchi Mark The 23rd Edition of Auchi Day Celebration

-Otaru, a King of Peace _Obaseki

-Fix Atte Road _Popotenyen

By: Jeremiah Enaholo Kadiri

myAuchi.blogspot.com

jeremiahkadiri@gmail.com

 

Sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, friends and well-wishers marked the 23rd Auchi Day Celebration of Allah in Grand style on the 8th day of January 2020  at the Palace grounds of Auchi Sacred Kingdom.

The event which comes up every year began with a Football Championship Competition between the 5major villages in the area, the clearing of Auchi Cemetery, general sanitation by Auchi Dynamic and the total overhauling, renovation and rejuvenation of the Old Central Mosque to International World Best Standard by His Royal Highness, Alhaji H.A. Momoh the Ikelebe III.

The Muslim pre-dominated area known for uncommon peace and accommodation of foreigners  begun the main event on Wednesday with prayers around the cosmopolitan town as the King led his people with the chanting of “La illah-a-illah la!” meaning “there’s no deity worthy of worship but God(Allah)” shortly after offering the sunrise prayers at the Arafat Mosque.

Additionally, the event was as colourful and hap-filled as rainbows and sunny skies with the attendance of the who-is-who in Edo Political, Academic, Clerical, Traditional, Financial, Entrepreneurial, Sporting spectrum and so on. Chief amongst these were Godwin N. Obaseki the executive governor of Edo state and his deputy, Hon. Philip Shuaibu, Princess Otse the commissioner for budget and planning, Alhaji Suleman Momoh (NAHCOM), the Chief Imam of Auchi Sacred Kingdom, Professor (Alhaji) Zakariyau who delivered the speech on the theme of the event, _‘Our Salvation is in the Hands of Allah.’ and many more.

 

“Adam and Eve having disobeyed Allah were sent to the earth. They prayed to God for forgiveness. Allah forgave them. The prayer of Adam and Eve is in the Qur’an. “Oh our Lord, we have wronged our souls. If you don’t forgive us our sins, we are going to be losers forever.” Allah forgave them but they were to toil on earth before returning to paradise” He said.

Professor stated that the need to always seek for Allah’s forgiveness cannot be downplayed as Allah is always ready to forgive any believer who turns to Him in repentance.

Mr. Godwin, Governor of Edo state in his remark appreciated the ensuing peace and tranquility that the people of Auchi are known for while acknowledging the role of the Otaru in this feat.

“Let me seize this opportunity to express my appreciation for the contribution and support of our religious leaders who have made the progress and achievements of our administration possible. Auchi is arguably Nigeria’s most religiously tolerant city and although the city serves as a melting pot for different cultures and religions, we have never heard of tribal or religious clashes amongst the people…

...The maintenance of peace and stability in this axis has been effortless largely due to the cooperation and fatherly disposition of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, the Otaru of Auchi.” he said.

While stating that the Otaru has in no small measure helped in the maintenance of peace and coexistence as exemplified in the activities of Auchi Day Celebration, he Promised to support the Auchi Football Championship Tournament with the sum of 1million Naira and pledged the sum of 25million Naira for the development of the Traditional event.

The Otaru used the medium to present 12 sewing machines to Auchi Tailors Association in view of fulfilling the promise of lifting indigent youths off the streets and engaging them meaningfully in fashion and designing. _a promise he made on Januray 8th 2019 to the body. The beneficiaries having completed a year of all expense free training, were certified and given tools of their trade to start off.

Team Utsogun, Akpekpe and Igbei who came 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively in the football tournament, were given their trophies and medals were awarded players who participated alonsides cash prizes. Noteworthy is that Tribunal and Williams, both players of Utsogun Football Clubs were signed up by Dynamite FC a National Football Institute.

Ayuba Lawal Ibrahim popularly known as Professor Popotenyen an indigene of Atte in Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo state seized the opportunity to plead that the government should help construct a motorable road leading into his village.

“I am very happy with the development Auchi has recorded as a result of peaceful coexistence between all. I’ve lived here since I was a young boy. I schooled here, work here and married an Auchi woman who is the mother of all my kids. No one would do all these in an area where there is no peace.

The Otaru is a wonderful King and leader and you can see how his leadership has transformed the kingdom. I want to plea that some of the traditional activities that used to be done should be reintroduced so that people like us who are entertainers will have roles to play in Auchi Day activities. Again I want the Governor to please hear the cries of my people because the road leading to Atte my hometown is no longer motorable and as such fares have become very high to go home or come from there. I pray for the this government to succeed. God bless the Otaru of Auchi, God bless Edo state government and God bless Nigeria” he said.

 

Other activities that made the event memorable were Qur’anic recitations, tug-of-war by the Nigerian Army, and traditional wrestling between Utsogun and Aibotse an event where the Utsogun wrestler emerged winner.