Umunobe Village Ogbunka in Orumba South Local Government Area has celebrated its annual “Oganiru” festival in commencement of the 2022 farming season.

The festival with theme ‘Religion and Culture’ is held before every farming season, affording the residents of the village the opportunity to collectively pray to God for a bountiful farming season.

Correspondent, Amarachukwu Okafor reports that the festival was heralded with recognition and presentation of items to the elderly and Umu-Ada for their intercessory roles in the community as well as maintenance of culture and values of the land that has continuously brought peace and progress in the village.

An elder in the community, Chief Edwin Okeke said that the festival has been an important one as most illustrious sons and daughters of the village look up to the feast, describing it as one of the fruitful moments in the village that speaks of food sufficiency and prayed God for the sustainability of the celebration.

A member of the 2022 ‘Oganiru’ Committee, Chief Michael Ezenwa revealed that without the celebration of the feast, no man or woman from the village is permitted to commence farming, describing the festival as a sacred one that brings good fortunes and tidings to the people.

Speaking to the ABS, the leader of Umu-Ada in the village, Mrs Virginia Anya said that the role of Umu-Ada cannot be overemphasized as they have constantly kept the culture and women folks alive and prayed for the community and prosperity of their children.