By Magnus Emuji/Chukwudi Asoya
A community leader in Okpanam, Obi Onyeayana Victor Okafor has marked the ‘Ifejoku Ndi Eze’ with a call for collective efforts in strengthening the cultural heritage of the community to avert unnecessary extinction.
Obi Okafor, whose title is the Obi Okpuenyi 11 stated this in his Ogwa Umu-Obi Achalla in Amachai Quarters, Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, while speaking with journalists after the celebration.
He said that Ifejioku Ndi Eze was meant for the Ezes, otherwise known as Obis (or red cap cheifs) and those whose fathers were Ezes when they were alive, adding that the new yam festival was a period to showcase unconditional love for one another.
Obi Okafor stressed the importance of maintaining culture and traditions that their forefathers had so much cherished and bequeathed to them, noting that every society is identified by their culture.
Also speaking after celebrating ‘Ifejoku Ndi Eze,’ Obi Adimabua Ozili, described the event as a period to call on their ancestors to usher peace and brotherliness to the community.
Obi Ozili urged the people of Okpanam to always embrace peace, especially during and after their new yam festival.
In their separate remarks, the Omu of Ugbolu, Omu Onyekachukwu Obiagwu Nwanze and Ogbueshi Anthony Okafor said that the new yam festival celebration was part and parcel of the cultural identity of the people.
They prayed for unity and progress of the community, even as they admonished the people, particularly the youths, to shun violence.
Speaking further, the Omu solicited the support of the good people of Ugbolu community, especially the women so as to be able to represent their interests and explained that as the Omu of Ugbolu it was her responsibility to be in charge of the market in line with their culture.
Present among notable individuals at the Obi Ozili’s palace to celebrate with him were Ogbueshi Patrick Okonkwo, popularly known as Pato and the chairman of Obodogwugwu youths, Comrade (Bro.) Chigozie Ogononwe, who led his executive and a good number of Obodogwugwu youths to present a token to Obi Ozili as part of the new yam festival celebration.
