Ijegun Ijeododo Community Agog as 'Obi Chukwu' Palace Celebrates Igbo Cultural Day

By Onome Naomi

The Igbo cultural day is set aside especially to celebrate Igbo sons and daughters at home and in diaspora. It's a means of preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people. It provides an opportunity for Igbo individuals and communities to showcase their traditional values, customs, language, arts, music, and dance, as seen in the celebration of the new yam festival known as 'Iriji' on Sunday, September 15, 2024, by the Ezendigbo of Ijegun Ijeododo, Chairman Council of Ezes in Lagos, Eze Amb. Dr. Eze Chika Nwokedi of Obi Eziokwu's Palace.

The highlight of the event involved the cutting and eating of the new yam, the presentation of kolanut, Igbo cultural displays, traditional folk music, masquerade displays, and others.

The first half of the occasion commenced with the bestowing of the chieftain title on eight members identified with Obi Eziokwu Palace in recognition of their behavioral qualities in the last 10 years. These title holders include: High Chief Chibuzor Obidike, 'The Oyi of Oyi' Ijegun Ijeododo; High Chief Obiora Okonkwo, 'Ozo Igbo Ndu Guruguru'; Chief Udegbe Sylvester Chioma, 'Ozuo ome 1 of Ijegun Ijeododo; High Chief Dr. Ndubuisi Ebem, 'Uru ka Na Chukwu Ijegun Ijeododo'; and High Chief Christian Ikechi Uwaeme, Akaekpuchionwa 1 of Alimosho.

Speaking with the title chiefs, Naomi Sophy Blog gathered that the titles were given according to the roles played individually towards members of the society. It is expected that the chiefs maintain the given titles to enable a wider scope in their effort and responsibility towards people in the community, as emphasized by Eze Chika.

The second half of the event was done glamorously with a rich display of cultural heritage in welcome of the new yam. According to customs and tradition, the Iriji is celebrated in the ember months. For Eze Chika Nwokedi, he celebrates 'Iriji' every 3rd week of September yearly to usher in the king of all crops as well as the commencement of a new era of fruitfulness. It is an Igbo culture to celebrate the bountiful harvest of yams before consumption.

A speech was given in reference to the new yam festival by Chief Ifeanyi Iguegbe as he welcomes all in attendance. In the official speech, it is noted that the new yam festival is an epic historical event that should be observed by Igbos at home and in diaspora, as seen in Eze Chika's yearly event for being a custodian of tradition.

Speaking with Chairman of the occasion Chief Martins Ifenedebem, the former president of the 'Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria Alaba International Market', he noted that the importance of the new yam festival is in significance with the Igbo culture, which stems from revering yam as the king of all crops before consumption to enable a better harvest in subsequent years. Advices Igbos to plant their own yam and watch out for it's harvest as tradition demands.

Eze Amb Dr Chika Nwokedi, the Ezendigbo of Ijegun Ijeododo, Chairman Council of Ezes in Lagos, in excitement, told pressmen at the new yam festival of 2024 that despite the economic downturn, the turnout of attendees from all tribes coming together to celebrate the Igbo cultural day with the Igbos in the Ijegun Ijeododo community in unity makes the occasion a remarkable event. He stated that it is paramount for Igbos to represent their culture anywhere in the world, as it is a reminder of one's origin. Advices Igbos against unwise decisions of accumulating wealth to purchase material things, forgetting they do not own landed properties. Do well to help the less privileged rather than do frivolous spending, he added.

As usual, the magnanimous monarch, Eze Chika, in company of his wife, Pst. Tessy Chika Nwokedi 'Ugoeze,' gave out lots of gift items as well as educated attendees on the act of giving. Eze Nwokedi, who has helped a lot of people, including widows and the incarcerated, will be empowering over 100 more widows and widowers in December 2024 as he encourages his VIP friends to support his course.

Lastly, the cutting and eating of the new yam as the occasion demanded was done in the company of co-monarchs and dignitaries present. The VIP attendees of the Iriji event include: AIG Ogundele J. Ayodeji of FCIID Alagbon, Chief Sunday Udeh President of Igbo Speaking Community Lagos, Chief Martins Ifenedebem, Eze Jude Arinze, Eze Eze Nwoye the Bobaselu of Ejigbo, Eze Igwe Augustine Sunday Ojukwu, Chief Chukwunonye, Nwachukwu Austin Onyeka, High Chief Sunday Uwanogho, the Ijegun Ijeododo palace chiefs of Eze Chika Nwokedi, entourages from the Oba of Ijegun and Ijeododo palace, and other invited guests.

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Nice one

Let the culture and tradition be celebrated in peace and harmony without dragging it with other tribes.

One Nigeria. Though tongue and tribe may differ, in brotherhood we stand.

the ones back home are doing terrorism,SIT @ home

Very cool and calm celebration of our new yam festival on a cool day when everyone is relaxed and happy 😊

Unlike some other people with their Political OrO



Igbo Amaka jor

Nice one

I love this but E no go still better for Gbadebo chinedu Rhodes Vivors

tell us wetin Chinedu do u ?.

haffaze777:
I love this but E no go still better for Gbadebo chinedu Rhodes Vivors

Peter Obi na 3 in 1 religiously

You guys are free to celebrate whatever it is so long as you didn't disturb the public peace.



Conversely, what made this event celebrated in Lagos instead of the east?

I hope it is not due to UGM?

And them nor invite Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate . We are our own enemies in Igbo land . Any gathering in lagos without Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate is a waste of time

. Are u igbo. ? This is strictly IPOBIDIENTS festival .

helinues:
Peter Obi na 3 in 1 religiously

The organizes did not discriminate, most of us Yoruba Muslims were given good food, drinks and water, it was a nice outing

chukwuibuipob:
tell us wetin Chinedu do u ?.

I no go tell you

Eze Chika, God bless you for your good work.

Who wants to stay in Hell when Heaven exists ?

ONLY poor and choiceless Ibos are left in the East. The rich flee to Lagos, their London.

I was shocked when some Igbo guys said they are so desperate to be Yorubas that they would do anything, even get our tribal marks

WeddingParol:
You guys are free to celebrate whatever it is so long as you didn't disturb the public peace.

Conversely, what made this event celebrated in Lagos instead of the east?

I hope it is not due to UGM?

LexngtonSteele:

Who wants to stay in Hell when Heaven exists ?

ONLY poor and choiceless Ibos are left in the East. The rich flee to Lagos, their London.

I was shocked when some Igbo guys said they are so desperate to be Yorubas that they would do anything, even get our tribal marks

and Yoruba in Osun flee to Lagos

ariesbull:
and Yoruba in Osun flee to Lagos

They are within their own region. Both SW region.

Congratulations to them. I wish them well.

Please, I beg you, don't forget to pay your tax.