On the significant date of December 27, 2023, in the lively city of Benin, Ambassador Princess Asha Okojie-Odigie, a top contender for the 2024 gubernatorial race, sends warm greetings to Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewiate II, on the auspicious occasion of the Igwe Festival. This celebration, deeply tied to cultural heritage, provides a platform for Ambassador Princess to express her strong dedication to preserving Edo’s rich traditions.

Drawing from her past as a former diaspora cultural ambassador for the Edo State Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador Princess reflects on her role in the EdoFest committee under the guidance of Commissioner Ero Osemwengie. The Igwe Festival, celebrated alongside EdoFest, holds a special place in her heart as it serves to raise awareness about the profound heritage and traditions of the Edo people.

Ambassador Princess, proudly connected to Oba Eware I, Ogidigan, who initiated the Igue Festival in the 14th century, expresses her pride as an Edo and Esan woman. Tracing her lineage to Igesan, the son of Oba Eware I, Ogidigan, who became the king of Uromi in the 15th century, she sees herself as a living link to the cultural values and traditions of both Benin and Ishan. As the granddaughter of King Ogbidi Okojie, the 12th king of Uromi, she advocates for the preservation of these traditions as a means of empowering future generations and boosting tourism.

Beyond the festivity, the Igwe Festival serves as a reminder of the fertility of Edo’s land. Ambassador Princess seizes this moment to champion self-reliance, stressing the importance of well-crafted policies and effective governance, particularly in the realm of agriculture. Looking back at the historical roots of our ancestors, who thrived on agriculture, she envisions a revival of the sector to bring prosperity back to the land.

Ambassador Princess Asha Okojie-Odigie’s vision resonates with the self-sufficiency that defined Edo’s past. Standing at the crossroads of tradition and progress, her aspirations for the future of Edo encompass not only the preservation of cultural heritage but also sustainable development through agriculture and self-reliance—a commitment deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of the Edo people for the betterment of society.