The ancient town of Asaba, the Delta State capital, was agog on Friday, December 26, with a cultural carnival that transformed the city into a vibrant tapestry of tradition, with ancestral rhythms and modern flair coming together in a joyous celebration of identity.
The streets erupted in a riot of color and sound as the carnival kicked off, with feathers, sequins, and pulsating rhythms drawing crowds to the infectious celebration.
One could see well decorated lowboy trailers and low bed semi-trailers passing by with people in dazzling outfits and costumes dancing to different cultural music and traditional dances, and copiously expressing the joy, excitement and community spirit of the colourful event.
The carnival trains took off from the Kainebisi roundabout, processed through the popular Kainebisi road, to the Inter Bau roundabout and ended up in the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba for the grand finale.
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON; and his Palace Chiefs were on ground at the stadium to watch the performances, while a good number of Asaba sons and daughters in the diaspora, who flew in for the Christmas celebrations, took part in the carnival, which was part of activities to mark the 2025 Asaba Day.
Speaking to Journalists on the outcome of the carnival, the co-Chairman of the Asaba Day Celebration Committee, Ogbueshi Ngozi Okocha; revealed that the whole idea was that of the Asagba, who saw the need for it to be part of the Asaba Day event.
Ogbueshi Okocha said because the carnival was not originally planned for, the Committee did not have enough time to prepare for it, assuring that the next edition would be better.
He, however, pointing out that even within the short time available to it, the Committee made frantic efforts, financial and otherwise, to ensure a successful outing, having assured His Royal Majesty that all would be well with the carnival as envisioned by him.
Ogbueshi Okocha, also known as Ugbade; said four lowboy trailers and ten low bed semi-trailers hired by individuals were used to convey the carnival floats, musical equipment, costumes and dancers, explaining that the event succeeded in sending a strong message that Asaba was fast becoming a tourist capital; a place to be.
The co-Committee Chairman noted that some world-class tourists’ sites were already in place in Asaba, and more underway, stressing that with the branding and rebranding vision of Asagba Prof Azinge, the capital city remained the preferred destination for non indigenes from all parts of the country.
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