Ngor-Okpala Celebrates New Yam Festival in Grand Style
......Eze Eziakonwa Harps on Peace, Unity, Transparency Among Traditional Rulers
By Kelechi Ugo
The need for peace, unity of purpose and transparency among traditional rulers in the 29 autonomous communities of Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State has been emphasised.
The call was made by the newly emerged Head of the Ngor-Okpala Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Obinna Eziakonwa, Assa 1 of Assa-Okpala, while speaking at the opening of this year's New Yam Festival held at Central School, Umuowa.
Eze Eziakonwa urged traditional rulers and their chiefs to embrace peace, unity and transparency in the discharge of their responsibilities, stressing that such virtues were necessary for the progress, development and overall wellbeing of their communities.
According to him, unity among the traditional institutions would not only attract God's blessings but would also create an atmosphere conducive to development and peaceful coexistence across Ngor-Okpala.
The monarch expressed delight that the traditional rulers and stakeholders were able to work together towards the successful celebration of the festival despite the prevailing economic challenges in the country.
He commended the stakeholders for what he described as their sincerity of purpose and commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of the people.
While performing the traditional blessing of the kola nut, Eze Eziakonwa explained that the New Yam Festival was not an occasion for idol worship, but a period of thanksgiving to God for the successful planting and harvesting of farm produce, particularly yam.
He called on sons and daughters of Ngor-Okpala, both at home and in the diaspora, to always remember their communities and contribute to their development, stressing that the area was richly endowed with fertile land and abundant natural resources.
The traditional ruler also thanked the members of the Council of Traditional Rulers for their support towards the successful organisation of the festival, while expressing optimism that next year's celebration would be even more successful.
Eze Eziakonwa particularly commended illustrious sons of Ngor-Okpala who had continued to contribute to the development of the area, including the Special Guest of Honour, Okenze Sylvester Obinna, and the Chairman of the occasion, Super High Chief Kingsley Dikibo, Ebube Mbaise.
Host Monarch Expresses Appreciation
The host monarch, HRH Eze Emee Njoku, PhD, Ezeudo II of Nguru/Umuowa, expressed appreciation to the Council of Traditional Rulers for choosing his autonomous community to host the festival.
Eze Njoku said he was particularly delighted that one of his subjects, Okenze Sylvester Obinna, PhD, had recently emerged Vice President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).
He further disclosed that the industrialist had commenced the construction of a befitting zonal office of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria in Ngor-Okpala.
The host monarch appealed to the traditional rulers to continue using Umuowa for subsequent ceremonies, assuring them that the community would sustain its hospitality.
He thanked all the royal fathers, chiefs and other stakeholders who attended the festival and contributed to its success.
Royal Fathers Grace Ceremony
The colourful ceremony was attended by traditional rulers and their Ugoezes, who appeared in their traditional regalia, adding colour and grandeur to the celebration.
Among those present were Eze Josophat Nwosu of Obike, Eze George Nwosu, Eze Beneth Uduhirinwa of Alatia, and HRM Eze Engr. Fredrick Nwachukwu, Deputy Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Eze Nwachukwu also represented HRM Eze Dr. E.C. Okeke, CFR, Ezeudo II of Amaifeke, Chairman of Imo State Royal Fathers and Chairman of Community Policing.
The event also attracted prominent sons and daughters of Ngor-Okpala, community leaders, chiefs, stakeholders and cultural enthusiasts.
Okere Applauds Celebration of Igbo Culture
Speaking with journalists at the event, the Ojeozi Imo, High Chief Dr. Ethelberth Okere, Director-General of the Imo State Orientation Agency, commended the people of Ngor-Okpala and their traditional rulers for preserving and celebrating Igbo cultural values.
Chief Okere expressed delight that communities across Igboland were increasingly using cultural festivals to promote their identity, unity and communal bonds.
He stressed the importance of culture in shaping the identity of a people, noting that cultural practices remained an essential part of the values and beliefs of every society.
In his words, “Cultural practices define the identity and belief of societies.”
The New Yam Festival ended on a colourful note, with participants celebrating the rich cultural heritage, unity and communal spirit of the people of Ngor-Okpala.
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