Success Damian:
Ezedioramma, HRM,
Eze O.S. Ben Igwilo the 3rd,
Eze Osina of Osina recently in his palace
during the Iwaji Eze (the traditional new yam festival) said the festival has
brought cohesion, peace and development in his community. The same idea was
echoed by Chief Sir Ernest Eze (Orabugwueze) and others. CYRIACUS NNAJI
reports.
From Left:Chief Kelechi Ejeagwu, Chief Tochukwu Nwankwo, Chief Ernest Eze, Chief Nduka Theodore Ohuche and Chif Chidozie Abanihe
A
town in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, the Iwaji/New Yam
Festival of Osina is held annually on August 3 and 4, a time to thank God for
life, sustenance, peace and progress of the community.
The
2018 festival was different in so many ways with the crowning of 40 new cabinet
members nicknamed Ndi oso eze achi, those who rule with the king. They were all
red-capped on the occasion with mandate to support His Royal Majesty in the monarchical
and ceremonial administration of the town.
Not
done, the year’s Iwaji was also marked with the empowerment of the
less-privileged in the town. Two tricycle were given out to two lucky winners
while various items were also given out to widows and youths in the community.
Eze
Igwilo in his speech said “Iwaji
comes annually after the farming season, designed to foster socio-cultural
interaction and fore It is used to do stock taking in the community. It is used
to experience holiday from bustling and hustling nature of business life.
“Our community is
known for peace and I want to encourage everyone to sue for peace. We should
also be law abiding, we should love one another. These are virtues that
promotes developmental efforts in our community,” Eze Igwilo stated.
On the empowerment he
said “Many families have benefited from empowerment programmes designed during
the iwaji festival. Assorted gifts items have been given out including bags of
rice, clothes, motorcycle, tricycles (keke) etc. This year's own will not be
different.
“During these festivals,
a lot of talents have been discovered. Great farmers have showcased their great
yield. Traditional wrestlers have emerged over the years. They go with their
prizes. Dancers and beautiful maidens who contest in beauty/fashion contest
have equally benefitted.
“May I inform us that
this year's event is remarkable in the sense that some of our sons have been
certified to be part of Ndi oso Eze achi
in our community; they are not created to upset any known traditional
institutions/bodies, but they are created to further boost their efforts in a
positive way. They are to work in synergy and to complement the efforts of Eze
in council, NDI Isi Ala, Ndi Nze,
family chiefs, Sub kindred, kindred, village heads.
“They are expected to
be promoters/champions of developments in the community. They are expected to
be frontiers of unity, peace and progress. I therefore implore you all to
celebrate with them, cooperate with them anytime to make our community the best
in the comity of Nations,’ Igwilo stressed.
Speaking to The
AUTHORITY on the occasion, Chief Sir Ernest Eze (Orabugwueze), Chairman of
Osina Town Development Union Lagos Branch, one of the Oso Eze achi said he was very happy to be honoured and would do his
best to assist the Eze to ensure that there is peace and development in Osina
Community.
Eze who also goes by
name Ide (Mayor) stated further “It is an honour, those of us that were
selected are not the most intelligent or richest, but the Eze in his wisdom
chose us; we will work with him and we assure him of our loyalty,” Eze said.
Chief Tochukwu Nwankwo
(Omekannaya na Osina) Chairman Eluama Meeting Lagos Branch said “I am a member
of Ndi Oso Eze achi of Osina Ancient
Kingdom, I am excited, we are not the most educated or most respected, but
perhaps it is based on the little assistance we render to the community. Again
whenever the Eze calls on us, we always answer him without questioning.” He
added that the beauty of the Oso eze achi
is that the entire villages of Osina are fully represented.
For Kelechi
Ejeagwu (Mbata Etuom) Chairman Osina Youth Convention Lagos Branch) said “It is
a very great honour to be a member of Ndi
oso eze achi; it is also an honour from God almighty.” He disclosed that
one factor that qualified one to be a member of the group is one’s previous performances
in the town,
“You must be outspoken, truthful and a man of at least average
character. You must have been deemed to promote the culture of the town and it
is for peace. Ndi oso eze achi is also
designed to partner with Eze to ensure that there is peace in the community.”
Other eminent Osina
sons honoured were Chief Theodore Ohuche, Chidozie Abanihe, among others.
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