– Ute-Okpu Olokun Priestess
The Priestess of Olokun of Ute-Okpu Kingdom, Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State, Bridget Obi, also known as, Mami has called for the preservation of Nigeria’s culture and traditions despite modernity.
Priestess Obi made the call during her celebration of love feast on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at her compound in Ogbe-Onicha, Ute-Okpu.
According to her, “The yearly celebration gives me the opportunity to first, thank God, my creator and Olokun for their blessings and the opportunity to wine and dine with my fellow priests and priestess of Olokun and as many who honoured my invitation.
“I was at the age of five years when I was called by Olukun deity and I never regretted becoming its servant for the fact that it has been blessings to me all-round. This festival gave me the opportunity to share the joy of blessings with others for the fact its unexplainable how it’s coming.
“The joy of the blessings given to me by Olukun is to share with others. It is to interest you that I grew to become a special child that the Obi of Ute-Okpu decreed that I must marry his son, Joel who today is my husband and father to my lovely children.
“I have returned all glory to Olokun for whatever I am today is his making”.
Continuing, the Olokun priestess said modernity and civilization have murdered “our culture and tradition that people now have different notion about them. While stating that our culture and tradition is going into extinction, appealed to the people to respect and preserve the culture and tradition of our forefathers, revealing that service to Olokun deity has come from time immemorial.
Responding to newsmen, the Chief Priest of Iyi-Ekpe Ogbeisogban, Ime-Obi Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, Ezenwa Obiazi said there is nothing that could be compared to tradition, saying that Christianity did not prevent anyone from observing the tradition of his or her place of origin.
He added that their display was part of the tradition, saying that becoming an Olokun Chief Priest or Priestess is a good calling.
He called on the Obi of Ute-Okpu, Pastor Solomon Chukwuka and the people of the Kingdom to continue to preserve their culture and tradition which he said remain their true identity.
He prayed for more grace for Mami to continue to serve Olokun, the god of water.
Another Priestess of Olokun from Ute-Okpu Kingdom, Virginia Madumeye said Mami gathered them as usual to offer thanks to her gods for blessing her specially. She said it’s the people’s culture and tradition to thank the gods for their blessing.
Dr. Baba F, alias, Nwayi from Owa-Alero also prayed that the celebration will be an upliftment to Mama in her service to Olokun, adding that whoever said that there is no tradition is telling lies to the people. He then offered prayers for Ika monarchs and the people.
The Oheren Olokun Dein of Agbor, Priestess Ekwuoabu Ugbobu said becoming priest or priestess of Olukun is not by written examination or appointment but strictly, by calling. She prayed for upliftment of Mami and her household, wishing her a happy celebration.
Mami and her son Kingsley
