24/08/2023
The 2023 Okpudo Ikeji Annual Lecture Series - A Rethinking that Delivered on its promise.
It is said that you can't hide an idea whose time has come. A great initiative is a forte of great leaders. Great leaders constantly imbue in their people the tenets of their culture and tradition.
One of such great leaders is the member representing Afikpo and Edda constituencies at the House of Representatives. The Rt. Hon. Iduma Enwo Igariwey.
This initiative of getting his people together to showcase their age long culture and tradition to the world while lacing the ceremony with well researched academic inputs was birthed in year 2021. This is the 3rd series that bellies the consistency of this great leader.
This 2023 lecture series aptly named "IRIJI FESTIVAL: RETHINKING OUR CEREMONIES AND REFOCUSING OUR DEVELOPMENT" was indeed a Rethinking that delivered on its promise.
It kick-started with a whopping 5 comperes in the persons of Onyekachi Aluu (Radio Nigeria), Abigail Eze Iheukwumere (NTA), Elder Nnachi Chukwu, and Ogeri Agbii. Each taking turns to ensure there was no dull moment.
The rethinking created an atmosphere of unprecedented roll call. Seats and shelters were provided for individuals, groups, associations, and communities.
In attendance were the Eto Ehugbo, Essaa Ehugbo, Essaa in uniform, Onikara Ehugbo, Umu Ada Ehugbo, Ukamaka group, Ehugbo Youth Presidents, the Elderly women group, the Okpudo radicals, Edda youths, the Academia, the Ebonyi Mass Mobilisation Initiative, cultural dance groups, the Amasiri, Ibii, Ozizza icha, Akpoha, Unwana, Ekoli, Amangwu, Nguzu, Owutu, Ebunwana, Oso, Itim, Ohaisu, Nkpoghoro, and Ugwuegu communities.
To ensure that this event gets a fitting after-event publicity, media organisations were fully represented including Radio Nigeria, the NTA, the Nation's Pride newspaper, the Inclusive newspaper, the Nigerian Voice online newspaper, the Century post, the Eagle online, the Champion newspaper, and the New Telegraph newspaper.
Individuals from far and wide also graced the occasion including the former Ohaneze Ndigbo President General, Chief Nnachi Enwo Igariwey, Dr. Michael Ndubuisi Urom of Uromic hospital, Chief Sunny Okogwu (President General of ATWA), Rhema schools owner, Mr. Jeffrey Ezenwa Okpara, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa (ABSIEC Chairman & former ABSU VC), Dr. Christopher Arua (chairman of AE-FUNAI Ehugbo/Edda family), Navy Commander Innocent Agha Oko, Ichie Christopher Abagha Egwu (Okabue Ehugbo), Dr. Joseph Chukwu, Mr. Chukwudozie Onu Ekuma, Mr. Emmanuel Ekuma Oko, Hon. Nkemka Onuma, Horii Anigo Agwo, Mr. Chukwu O. Donald (Fed. Commissioner, public complaints commission), Hon. Obinna Agha, Hon. Ben Ndubuisi Isu, Dr. Mark Abani, Ezeogo Dickson Okorie Oko, Mr. David Obasi Nwachukwu.
The list is indeed endless.
On the arrival of the distinguished representative of his people, Nze Patrick Owom rendered the opening prayer to declare the ceremony open.
The chairman of the day, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa in his remarks implored the people to have a rethink towards moving their culture and tradition with modernity and continue to dig to excavate the hidden parts of our culture and tradition. He promised to continue to be part of this ever special occasion anytime he's called upon. He also promised to once again, go home to Abiriba and challenge his people (as he had done after witnessing the 2nd series) to emulate this very laudable initiative.
The presentation of the traditional kolanut was by Essaa Oko Eze, with a grand rendition of the deep rooted eulogies that go with such presentation.
Dr. Arua Oko Omaka then told the gathering of the people the reason for it and also took the opportunity to introduce the guest lecturer for the day - Dr. Maurice Ogbonnaya.
Dr. Maurice Ogbonnaya while rendering his masterpiece of a lecture made two (2) simple proposals that resonated with the theme of RETHINKING to stakeholders and all the people present. The proposals are:
1. Refocusing the IRI JI festival towards economic empowerment of the communities and it's people by diffusing the narrative of idolatry practices around it and rather remodeling it towards a tourism industry for revenue generation and employment opportunities.
2. Making the IRIJI festival a focal point of boundless opportunities for reevaluation of our development as a people. It then becomes a forum where stakeholders gather to chart ways forward, towards challenging events that threaten our collective existence.
Commensurate responses were given by
Hon. Chief Godwin Udeakaji and Dr. McPherson Uchenna Agha.
Interlude of very rich cultural displays followed suit including the ever captivating nkwa umuagbogo, the historic egwu inyanya, the mesmerising oji enya leri, the nostalgic agha nnunu, the edda people & times ejigija, to mention a few.
Then came the man of the moment - Rt.Hon. Iduma Enwo Igariwey with his usual message of hope and of promises made and kept. He thanked all who heeded the clarion call and came to do justice to a very formidable aspect of our culture - IRIJI, with the significance of being our own NEW YEAR.
His message of promise included immediate distribution of fertiliser packs to all communities (isi ogos) in Ehugbo and Edda for the new season planting of crops; world class refuse disposal tanks of 2 each to Mater Misericordiae hospital, St. Mary's Catholic church, and the Presbyterian church of Nigeria.
He also tabled a futuristic plan of a world class hospital facility aimed at complimenting the wonderful efforts of Mater Misericordiae hospital.
The Essaa Ehugbo were thereafter taken to witness Okpudo's massive yam barn ( being a renowned farmer himself), to categorically show the world that JI AGBADIGIA EGBE.
The families of Chief Nnachi Enwo Igariwey, Iduma Enwo Igariwey, and Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa benefitted from the traditional ivu nku (firewood carrying) after which the yams from the barn were brought forward for display.
A very bountiful harvest it was.
Onikara Eko Agha took the people through the traditional incantations and the stages that go with blessing of the Yam on this ahia Nkwo after harvesting, and significantly ushering in the Ehugbo and Edda NEW YEAR with ichu aho as the last stage.
The yams displayed and some cash to buy spices for cooking them, were distributed to all the communities (isi ogos).
Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, Chief Nnachi Enwo Igariwey, Essaa in uniform, the elderly women group, Horii Anigo Agwo also benefitted from the Yam distribution largesse.
At this juncture, all the people were fed with delicious traditional meals and drinks to commemorate the special nature of the day and event.
Then followed the highlight of the occasion. The presentation of the examplary leadership award to the distinguished representative of his people by the ATWA.
All is well that ends well. This glorious occasion, which got the blessings from the heavens by witnessing the usual mini rainfall, was capped off with a vote of thanks delivered by no other person than the Ohaneze Ndigbo former President General - Chief Nnachi Enwo Igariwey.
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