Dahiru Ali
For one day, Abuja became a cultural extension of Idoma land.
The Old Parade Ground in Garki was awash with the unmistakable colours, sounds and flavours of the Idoma people on Saturday as thousands of natives of Benue South Senatorial District converged on the Federal Capital Territory for the 2026 Idoma Day celebration.
From the early hours of the day, the venue came alive with traditional music, energetic dance performances and colourful displays of Idoma attire. Community associations from the nine local government areas that make up Idoma land occupied specially designated canopies, each showcasing the rich traditions, hospitality and identity of their respective communities.
Rather than a speech-heavy gathering, the organisers deliberately made culture the centrepiece of the celebration. The event unfolded more like a carnival than a convention, with music, dancing, communal dining and social interaction dominating proceedings as families, professionals, traditional groups and youth organisations reunited in celebration of their common heritage.
The few speeches delivered focused on the importance of preserving Idoma identity and strengthening unity among the people, particularly those living outside their ancestral homeland.
Speaking on behalf of Ochetoha K’Idoma, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Idoma people, its Global President, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, emphasised the need for continued commitment to the preservation of the Idoma language, customs and cultural values. He stressed that cultural identity remains a vital foundation for community development and intergenerational continuity.
Also addressing the gathering, President of Ofu K’Idoma, Rear Admiral Andy Onoja Odeh (Rtd), called for sustained unity among Idoma communities across Nigeria and in the diaspora. He noted that cultural organisations have an important role to play in promoting cohesion, supporting development initiatives and projecting the positive image of the Idoma nation.
Perhaps nowhere was the richness of Idoma culture more evident than at the numerous food stands that lined the venue.
Guests were treated to an impressive array of indigenous delicacies, with the famous Okoho soup emerging as one of the day’s biggest attractions. Served with pounded yam, the delicacy drew long queues alongside an assortment of traditional bush meat preparations and other local dishes that have become defining features of Idoma cuisine.
For many younger attendees born or raised outside Benue State, the celebration offered an opportunity to reconnect with their roots through food, music, dance and interaction with elders. Non-Idoma guests were equally welcomed into the festivities, experiencing first-hand the hospitality for which the ethnic nationality is widely known.
Throughout the day, cultural troupes entertained the crowd with performances depicting various aspects of Idoma history, traditional institutions and communal life. The atmosphere was one of pride, joy and belonging as participants sang, danced and celebrated a heritage that has endured across generations.
Beyond its colourful spectacle, Idoma Day continues to serve an important social purpose. As increasing numbers of Idoma people live and work outside their ancestral communities, the annual gathering has evolved into a platform for strengthening social networks, preserving cultural memory and promoting unity among dispersed populations.
The celebration also reflects a growing determination by ethnic nationalities across Nigeria to preserve indigenous languages, traditions and cultural institutions in the face of rapid urbanisation and globalisation. For the Idoma community in the Federal Capital Territory, the event has become both a cultural homecoming and a statement of identity.
As evening fell over the Old Parade Ground, the music continued, friendships were renewed, families reunited and the aroma of traditional cuisine lingered in the air. The celebration ended as it began—with laughter, dancing and a shared conviction that the preservation of culture remains essential to the future of every people.
For the thousands who attended, Idoma Day was more than a festival. It was a living expression of identity, unity and the enduring pride of a people determined to keep their heritage alive, wherever they may be.
