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Address by Harry Awolayeofori MacMorrison, ARPA – Chairman, Kalabari Renaissance Foundation, at the Kalabari New Year Celebration, Elem-Kalabari (Torusaramapiri), Degema LGA, Rivers State,

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AN ADDRESS BY HARRY AWOLAYEOFORI MACMORRISON, arpa- CHAIRMAN KALABARI RENAISSANCE FOUNDATION
AT THE KALABARI NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT ELEM-KALABARI (TORUSARAMAPIRI), IN THE DEGEMA LGA RIVERS STATE ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2025

Our Royal Fathers, Distinguished Chiefs, Elders, Sons and Daughters of Kalabari Kingdom, Esteemed Guests, Friends of Kalabari, Media personalities, here present, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I bring you warm greetings from the Kalabari Renaissance Foundation, the organisers of the Kalabari New Year Festival. We welcome you to the event that is anchored on peace, unity and the rejuvenation of every thing that is good. Welcome to the making of a great cultural rebirth.

It gives me immense joy to stand before you today, even more so, in Elem Kalabari, the cradle of the great Kalabari Ethnic Nationality. This annual festival that used to be a solemn sacrifice in the individual Communities only, has finally become a global brand that will continue to remind us of who we are, where we come from and the boundless possibilities of what we can become, working together.

Last year, we launched the first unified celebration of our new year festival at the Abalama / Tema junction. The place was chosen because it is central to the headquarters of the three Local Government Areas that house the Kalabari people. As expected, our collective spirit shone brightly through cultural performances and shared aspirations for progress. 

As It is with starting something new, the first edition was not easy. yet it was surmounted by the doggedness and unwavering resolve of two souls determined to ignite the renaissance of a kingdom. Their commitment became the spark that has today grown into a movement of hope, unity and purpose.

This year, the celebration brings us to Elem Kalabari, popularly referred to as the SOURCE, and reason is obvious, Kalabari took form here. The choice of this place was almost divine and, of course, the significance is so very loud . By the grace of God, next year we shall move the celebration to another great Kalabari community. In deed, the rotation of the hosting ground of the festival is designed to strengthen our bonds and ensure that every community feels a part of this growing renaissance.

The theme for this year's festival is "Celebrating Our Heritage, Honouring Our Waters, and Renewing Our Spirit. It is both timely and symbolic. The Kalabari people are a riverine nation, a people whose identity and livelihood flow from the waters that surround us. Yet, beyond our waters, our true wealth lies in our unity, our peace and our shared will to develop.

Let us therefore not use this meeting for mere merry making, but to consciously reflect on making Kalabari truly one, while taking time to genuinely eliminate words, acts and posturings that can make some Communities uneasy. Clearly, it is only when we can all see our stakes in the Kalabari project that unity can be assured. To achieve this, we must continue to play and grow together in ways that will produce trust and mutual respect. When we come together in the spirit of oneness there is no limit to what Kalabari can achieve in education, youth empowerment, economic advancement, environmental care and cultural revival.

Today’s celebration that began with the vibrant boat regatta honours our waters. There will be tree planting that symbolises growth and continuity, while the launch of a blueprint for youth empowerment is a testament of the commitment of a people that are desirous of progress and hopeful of rising to the demands of the future.

May this New Year strengthen our unity, deepen our love for one another and inspire us to build the Kalabari of our dreams, a kingdom of peace, culture and sustainable development.

I feel honoured to invite you to make the most of this moment. Please, enjoy yourselves and make friends. Enjoy our foods, the music and dances because they have been put in place just for you. So enjoy !

Once again, on behalf of my friends,, I welcome you all warmly to this festival of hope, heritage and harmony. Together, let us honour our past, embrace our present and shape our future.

Thank you.

Long live the Kalabari Kingdom!
Long live Rivers State!!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!

Harry Awolayeofori Macmorrison, arpa*
Chairman,
Kalabari Renaissance Foundation.

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