The Ezeike in Council, Nibo Union Executive, Ndi Nze na Ozo and the entire Umuezeike of Nibo, Awka South Council area gathered recently at the town’s Civic Center to Celebrate the 2024 Iliji Ezeike Nibo.

 

The Iliji Ezeike had in attendance members of the community from the four villages and thirty kindreds that made up Nibo town, traditional rulers, representatives of the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy as well as friends of the community from within and outside Anambra.

Seven gunshots, Ufio music display at Ezeike Palace, three gunshots at Nibo Civic Center Arena, opening prayers, as well as the arrival of Ezeike Michael Ngene, his cabinet members with Igba Eze dance and seven gunshots heralded the festival.

 

The kolanut ritual was performed by the traditional ruler, Dr Ngene where he explained that the new yam festival is an annual cultural event, brought to the Civic center for the first time to enable all Umu Ezeike to partake in it and prayed for God’s blessings upon the people and all the traditional rulers that were in attendance.

The Ezeike in Council, Ozo Njualor Nibo and Nibo red cap chiefs later danced around the arena with Igba Eze before the symbolic cutting of the New Yam by the Igwe IV.

 

In an interview, the President-General of Nibo Union, Professor Tony Nwokoye described the event as commendable and worth sustaining and a way to give honour to the traditional ruler who has been on the throne for thirty-nine years and noted that as their King has eaten the new yam, every indigene of the community is now free.

The Traditional Prime Minister of the community, Chief Robins Obi-Ezeani disclosed that he is the brain behind celebrating the new yam festival for the first time at the Civic center, which was previously done at the Ezeike palace, saying that subsequent ones will be better.

 

The Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa represented by a Director in the ministry and native of Nibo Community, Reverend Ben Ugo said that the occasion calls to mind the Igbo moral ethics and values of communalism, truthfulness, justice, peace and Unity, bearing in mind that the day’s event will afford them another opportunity to promote Igbo culture, language, traditions and identity.

The Chairman, Nibo Union Cultural Committee, Ozo Jerome Ugoagu noted that it is the first time they are holding the new yam festival at the town’s Civic center and thanked God for the success.

 

Others who spoke, at the event including Chiefs Tim Ekwueme, Ignatius Aguowo and Pat Orjiako noted that the new yam should be seen as their way of life, service to God and humanity and prayed for peace, unity and progress in the community.

The event featured cutting of roasted yam, eaten with locally prepared sauce, cultural dances, masquerade display, paying of homage to Ezeike, and other side attractions.

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