It was a display of the unique culture of Urum community, Awka North Council Area, during the ‘Izu afia Ozo’ by Ozo Damian Illiemena and other Ozo Urum title holders, as family and well wishers joined Ozo Illiemena at Umuife village to celebrate the event.
Ozo title is one of the revered titles in most Igbo communities, taken by those who have achieved success and are worthy of character.
Ozo Illiemena was initiated into the title in December 2023 and to complete the rites, the ‘Izu Ofia Ozo’ was to showcase the title holders to the community.
The event which started with Ozo Illiemena dancing from his compound down to the village square together with his wives, family and well wishers as they were acknowledged by those present and later moved to the market square, from where they also danced down to the event venue, together with others recently initiated into the Ozo society and other titled men of the community.
Speaking at the event , Ozo Illiemena with the title name ‘Ozo Ezekwesili’ explained that as an Ozo title holder, he is expected to always uphold the truth, sue for peace and bring growth and development to his community in positive ways, noting that the process of taking the title is long as one must fulfill all rites before being initiated .
His wife, Mrs. Adaugo Illiemena while expressing her happiness thanked God for his faithfulness in seeing them through the processes of the Ozo title, promising to always stand by the truth and be loyal to her husband.
The traditional ruler of Urum, Igwe Dr. Benedict Nweke noted that taking the coveted title is a unique culture of Urum, which those initiated must always stand by the truth, advising all to make concerted effort towards the progress of Urum.
Also speaking, Ozo Ebenezer Nwakaeze, the Chairman of Ozo Urum, revealed that the title is for Urum indigenes, adding that character and sources of wealth of those to be initiated must be known before taking the title, which starts with ‘Amawulu’, ‘Igbu Ichi, ‘Eme Eku’ and host of other processes, with the last being ‘Izu Afia Ozo’, as he wished Ozo Illiemena well.
A former council Chairman for Awka North, Chief Ndubuisi Anakwuo and Mr. Michael Oraegbunam, while wishing ‘Ozo Illiemena well, noted that Ozo title helps in maintaining peace and ensuring growth in communities.
The event climaxed when Ozo Illiemena and others danced Egwu Uvio at the event venue and back to the house to continue with merriment.
Comments are closed for this post.