Every Festive season, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the Paramount Head, Oruwari Briggs Group of War Canoe Houses of Abonnema, says he is drawn back, not merely by tradition, but by conviction.
He recalls coming up from the village, shaped by its rhythms, discipline, and strong communal sense of life.
According to him, those early foundations instilled values that time has only clarified, not erased, honour, care, responsibility, and inspiration.
Now, as a paramount head, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs emphasizes that his commitment to these values is neither symbolic nor ceremonial, but active and deliberate.
He explains that leadership, in his view, is not measured by titles or distance from one’s roots, but by the ability to continually reaffirm what truly matters and to model it in ways that are visible and impactful.
It is in this spirit, he notes, that activities organized every festive season are designed to go beyond celebration.
These moments, he says, are intentional, aimed at upholding honour by recognizing dignity in every person; demonstrating care by reaching the vulnerable, the elderly, and the forgotten; and igniting inspiration, especially in the young, by reminding them that their circumstances do not define their ceiling.
In remembrance of his late father, High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, this year’s activities began with Care for the Elderly. Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs describes elders as custodians of history who deserve to be remembered with dignity.
During the outreach, the elderly received food items, beverages, and cash gifts to support them through the festive season and into the New Year.
The Children’s Party, he notes, remains a very special part of the annual engagement.
He explains that it is not merely a celebration, but a platform to discover talent, reward excellence, and awaken possibility in young minds.
This year, the children and youths exceeded expectations across diverse categories, including singing, rap, dancing, quiz competitions, and poem rendition.
One particularly touching moment, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs recounts, was when a young girl, Ms. I bingo, who had earlier received a secondary-school scholarship in 2025, presented him with thoughtful gifts: a Bible, a hymn book, a pen, and a diary.
Moved by the gesture, he upgraded her scholarship to an unlimited scholarship, supporting her education to any level she aspires to attain
Another highlight was a 19-year-old participant in the singing competition whose freestyle performance stood out. The young singer was rewarded with a ₦1,000,000 cash prize, a recording deal, and food items.
A young rapper was also recognised with a tablet, a ₦100,000 cash gift, and food items.
In the dance category, Emmanuella, a resident of Abonnema from Cross River State, emerged winner and received ₦100,000, a scholarship, and food items.
Winners in poem rendition, a boy and a girl, each received ₦100,000, tablets, and food items.
The quiz competition, which covered Bible knowledge, current affairs, and general knowledge, produced an outstanding female winner who was awarded a ₦100,000 cash prize, a scholarship, a tablet, and food items.
Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs stresses that these gestures are not about philanthropy alone, but deliberate acts of inspiration, signals to young people that excellence is noticed, intelligence is rewarded, and their dreams are valid.
He reaffirmed that his commitment in the new year remains focused on nurturing minds, preserving dignity, and helping to shape a future where the people can thrive.
He concluded by wishing everyone a Happy New Year.