Odual Kingdom Display Rich Cultural Heritage at Obedum Community.
The rich cultural heritage of the people of Odual Kingdom of Abua Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State was showcased to the world when the people of Odual converged on Obedum community for the 2025 “Odual Onunu Hangout”.
Odual Onunu Hangout is a yearly ritual organized by youths in the kingdom to celebrate the importance of the delicious delicacy and the historical values of the rich food often used to soften the hearts of monarchs during ceremonies.
The festival witnessed several enchanting cultural displays and other activities that showcased the rich culture of the Odual people which includes, cultural dance, musical performances, comedy and wrestling.
Vice chairman Abua Odual Local Government Area, Hon Eureka Eloghom, noted that she was pleased to see young lads from Odual with innovative ideas to promote unity amongst communities in the kingdom, urging the youths to continue on the path of peace and progress of the kingdom.
She emphasized the historical values of togetherness and selfless service to one another and communities that brings about sustainable development in any society, describing the 2025 Odual Onunu hangout as a historical event to the people.
According to her, the Onunu Hangout signifies the core values of culture which has created awareness on the need to promote more cultural heritage that are yet to be noticed by the people of Odual Kingdom.
Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN Bayelsa State chapter, Rev. Father Joseph Opelema in a remark, asserted that Onunu Hangout has given Odual Kingdom positive publicity in the last few years.
He appreciated the Onunu Hangout committee for the laudable idea of projecting the Odual Kingdom, stating that this year’s festival has further put to end the debate of the origin of the delicacy in different platforms.
In separate Goodwill messages from Bar Edwin Daniel and High Chief Ukpeni Wariboko, they opined that the Onunu Hangout Committee has made the Odual Kingdom popular by putting the kingdom in the global map with the program.
They remarked that the aim of the Onunu Hangout was not only to eat Onunu but to eat the meal in commemoration of the cultural heritage, pointing out that Onunu unites people because the processes of preparation means togetherness.
The duo described the organizers as visionary young men who are poised to rewrite the Odual story, stating that Onunu Hangout has so far contributed immensely to unite the people of Odual Kingdom.
They equally called on well meaning sons from the kingdom to support in the next edition, saying that the festival has come to stay.
Earlier in an address of welcome, chairman of the 2025 Odual Onunu Hangout committee, Mr. Enaanoe Arugu, said the vision of the Onunu Hangout was conceived by friends who usually attend the Obedum beach party.
He explained that the essence of the Onunu Hangout was to use the platform to rewrite the Odual Kingdom story, maintaining that he was elated that the little gathering had yielded positive results.
Mr. Arugu thanked the commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon. Ilamu Arugu, Abua Odual local government chairman, Hon. Vincent Reuben, vice chairman, Hon. Eureka Eloghom, Capt Douglas Zakana, other sponsors and committee members for the support during the program, assuring the people of an improved event next year.
