It was a glorious moment and a mark of hope for greater things in Obeagu Town, Awgu local government area of Enugu state, as the community celebrated the new yam festival (IRI JI OHURU) after eight years.
The colorful event, which was held at Igwebike Primary School Field, Obeagu, was symbolic of the growth, development, and progress of the Town.
UgamaTV had reported that since the death of the former traditional ruler, Late Igwe D.O.C. Aneke Ikemefune, the community has faced various challenges due to the absence of a leader.
The celebration also marks the ascension of the paramount ruler of the community, Igwe Okolo Sylvester Emeka Ojukwu, Chinyelugo I, and Nevonugama III of Obeagu Ancient Kingdom.
Speaking on the occasion, the traditional ruler of Obeagu Ancient Kingdom, Igwe Sylvester Okolo Emeka Ojukwu, said that festival was to unite the people and an opportunity to recalibrate the developmental concerns of the Kingdom.
“I am going to make sure that peace reign in Obeagu by setting up peace community that will ensure unity and peace in the kingdom.
We will make sure that there will be nothing like stealing again in this community. Parent look after your children, descipline them, warm and advice them.
I will ensure that we address of issues and concerns from various groups in other to actualise the peace and progress that we need as a kingdom.” He said.
In a remark, the President General of Obeagu, Ogbuefi Callistus Orjiogbu, said that the Iri Ji festival is a way of honoring the ancestors and promoting the cultural heritage of Obeagu Kingdom.
“Yam, as the king of crops occupies a very important position both in the diet and socio-cultural lives of an Obeagu man. As the king crop, it appears in important ceremonies like marriage festivals, birth and burial ceremonies as well as conferment of titles and reception of heroes. During such ceremonies, the most preferred food is usually pounded yam with egwushi, vegetable okwuru soup with meat and fish to taste.
The Iri-Ji festival is exclusively organized by the men-folk who have attained the age of maturity in the olden days.”
“This celebration and others were the creation of our fore-fathers in response to socio-cultural and religious demands for survival between man and his environment to exist in harmony. Therefore, we are calling our children and female members of Obeagu Nevon Ugama Community to join in the celebrations to promote and sustain our culture in this modern age.
In summary, the primary aim of Iri-Ji festival is comic entertainment. As a result, it has helped to maintain and sustain the significance and cultural heritage of Obeagu Nevon’Ugama Kingdom. It serves, also, as a way to respect the ancestors, acknowledge their achievements and promote our cultural ways of life.” He said
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion and CEO of Big Brown Multichoice, Ogbuefi Obuneme Chukwu, described the event as a historic event that has united the villages of the community.
” Today is a great day in our community, this is the first time something like this happening in our community. Our people say that there is no place like home. This is were I grew up, schooled here, did everything here so I am happy to be here to enjoy with old time friends and relations.” He said.
Advising the youths, the CEO of UgamaTV, Hon. Tochukwu Chukwu, urged them to refrain from practices that will tarnish the image of the community, noting that there is no gain in crime.
” This is an opportunity to unite, advise the youths and see how we can move forward. There is no gain in crime, there is no gain in making problem. No to drugs, most at times when they take drugs they turn to exhibit these criminal tendencies, but when you are in your clear senses you will not think of kidnapping or stealing.” He concluded
Similarly, the chairman of the organizing committee for the festival, Ogbuefi Chinedu Ani Titus, described the event as marking a new dawn for the kingdom.
Also speaking, the councilor representing the Obeagu Award, Hon. Roseline Udeh, urged the people to eschew hate and embrace peace.
Ogbuefi Valentine Okolo Maduka said that the event is an ancient tradition of the Igbos organized to give thanks for the bounty of the harvest.
Mr. Chukwu Ani, who said that the event was the first of its kind in the kingdom, noted that the event holds great significance to the people.
The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the newly appointed chiefs by the Igwe and the wonderful display of variable masquerade.
See photos below:
