Rivers community celebrates wrestling festival

Youths Umuakuru-Ulakwo community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State displayed their wrestling skills as the community celebrated this year’s Yam Festival.

The young lads in different age groups gathered at the community’s market square to participate in a wrestling competition as part of activities to mark the occasion.

The Chairman of the council, Obinna Anyanwu, who witnessed the event called on people in the area to join hands with the government to preserve their cultural heritage.

He also called on youths to get involved in the promotion of their cultural heritage and values.

The council chairman described the festival as one of the measures to cement unity and harmony of people in the area and an avenue to showcase their culture and tradition.

Anyanwu who said that certain aspects of the community’s culture are being neglected, called for a reversal of the trend.

He described cultural festivals as a rallying and unifying force that galvanises and creates a bond among the various communities in the area.

The chairman assured that his administration will continue to support and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the community.

The traditional ruler of the community, King Onyeche Promise said the cultural festival was an annual event instituted to showcase the cultural heritage and serve as a platform to revive the culture of the people as well prevent it from going into extinction.

He enjoined all sons and daughters of Etche to imbibe the culture of peace that is being exemplified at the ongoing festival in the Ulakwo community.

The event witnessed a large crowd of cultural groups, wrestlers, and enthusiasts from all walks of life and many descendants of the Ulakwo community who came to celebrate their history, culture, tradition and heritage.