Hon. John Alla
Bayelsa State Commissioner for Tourism Development, Hon. John Alla has described ‘Agge Survival Day’ as an event that marks the resilience of the Agge people after the community was invaded by Nigerian Army and inflicted untold hardship and pains on the people, reiterating that the event marks an end to difficult times and the start of a new chapter in Agge after the military invasion.
Speaking with newsmen at Agge community after participating in this year’s edition of the Agge Survival Day event as a special guest on Sunday, Hon. Alla said the survival day celebration was significant because it acts as a morale booster to the people, recognizing the collective resilience of the people, which also strengthens community bonds.
“The Agge Survival Day annual celebration fosters our gratitude to God, encouraging us to continuously show our deep appreciation for overcoming the challenges and to remind us of the blessings of God. It promotes storytelling and reminds us about our past history and the survivors from the military invasion, sharing stories of our struggles and triumphs. It brings the people of the community together, promoting social connections and a sense of belonging.
“Celebrating the resilience of our people helps to process and cope with our challenges, fostering community pride. It helps us to celebrate our collective achievements, enhancing our community identity and pride.
The survival day celebration also encourages us as people to observe annual thanksgiving and appreciation, focusing on the positive aspects of the community’s journey after the military invasion.
“The survival day event strengthens the Agge spirit in us as it reinforces the idea that the community is stronger together, creating lasting memories, helping us to develop a sense of shared experience and communal memory. By hosting the survival day event, we are able to bring our community together to celebrate our resilience and promote unity and gratitude to God,” Hon. Alla maintained.
According to a report from ThisDay newspaper, dated August 8, 2008, men of the Nigerian Army yesterday invaded the coastal Agge Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and razed the entire town in rage over the seizure of a military gunboat and killing of two soldiers by militants along the Forcados River in Bomadi Area of the state.
The military action on Agge community followed intelligence report that the perpetrators of the act, which was considered a slap on the face of the military, were from Agge and not Bomadi where the Sunday attack had taken place.
L-R, Hon. Augustine Lugbeinwei, Hon. Berry Negerese, Hon. John Alla and Amb. Elder Clement Ebiyekon at the Agge Survival Day event in Agge
Dignitaries present at the Agge Survival Day annual celebration include Hon. Berry Negerese John Isiayei, Chief Augustine Lugbeinwei, Chief Donbraye Ebi, the immediate past Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Bayelsa State Governor on Tourism, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo and Vice Chairman, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Central Zone, Amb. Elder Clement Ebiyekon.
Highpoint of the celebration were live traditional music performances by indigenous artistes, colourful masquerade displays, dance, and dining at different points across the community to express gratitude to God.