Okija community in Ihiala local government area has constituted a code of conduct committee to streamline the activities and affairs of masquerades in the community.
The Committee has become imperative in view of incessant cases of atrocities and ills associated with masquerading in the area.
Masquerading in Okija community is an age long culture and tradition meant for entertainment, recreation, leisure and community policing.
According to stakeholders, their activities in recent times have breeched existing peace as its ills have brought negative tendencies, youth’s restiveness and violence, portraying the image of the area in the bad light.
Briefing newsmen on the issue, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Nnaemeka Okezie, highlighted that the code of Conduct Committee will review the affairs and operations of masquerades as it affects the welfare of the area.
Igwe Okezie disclosed that the set up of committee has become necessary to review and sanitize their affairs to align with the dynamic society.
The monarch assured that the community as custodian of tradition and culture will not relent in advancing its promotion and preservation.
He decried the vices perpetrated by the youths in the course of masquerading thus suspending their activities stressing the need for re-orientation and guidelines in cosmopolitan town to avoid communal clash.
Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Chief Sylvester Obiakor, while saying that adherence to the code of conduct will preserve the sanctity of the tradition noted that the committee will come up with workable rules to addressing, regulating and eliminating the ills associated with masquerading.
Contributing, the Palace secretary, Professor Sylvester Madu, frowned at that the ugly development will in no way strengthen or reflect the good intention of the culture.
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