Dr. Chuks Osuji, OON, FNIPR
It is an accepted axiom that people without culture don’t exist. It is in the recognition of this fact that the people of Ihitteafoukwu in Ekwereazu, Ahiazu LGA of Mbaise exploded in cultural exposition. It was the maiden edition of Cultural Day Tagged, Umuoni Day.
The activity which began with an inter-denominational service on the eve of the ceremony, officiated by a Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Vitalis Akandu of Catholic Mission Ihitteafoukwu and Curate Rev. Nnamdi Iwuagwu of the Anglican Communion Ihitteafoukwu in apparent move to give the ceremony a Christian connotation was attended by a large turnout of villagers, men and women both young and old including a good number of the sons of the community who returned mostly from theUnited Statesto identify with the activities.
Among various activities which were featured during the ceremony, which was held at the Village Square, the traditional Ukwuachi Square included display of various cultural dances by the women of the two confederating kindreds, Umuojiagwa and Umunwokeweji: Egwuike Umuada by Umuojiagwa girls, Chi-Chi Dance by the girls from Umunwokenweji: an inspiring rendition was delivered as a welcome song by Ojiudoeme Women Group comprising only working class elites led by Mrs. Anthonia Nwagwu. The highlight of cultural displays was the drumming of the famous Odi Dance which has been the long standing cultural dance of the people ostensibly abandoned in the mid-sixties.
Other things featured included the reading of the history of Umuoni people, a solo displayed by a damsel Ifunanya Egbukwu and reading of well composed poem by a young school girl, Nnedinma Ekechukwu.
The event which attracted a large crowd from neighbouring towns and villages of Mbano, Etiti, Ikeduru, inlaws, grandsons and daughters and other well wishers was presided over by a Chairman, Dr. George Echebelem, a US based businessmogul, Chief Engr. Emma Ojinere, a PortHarcourt based Oil Service Engineer, was the Chief Guest of Honour but was represented by Honourable Magnus Chigbu. Speaking during the Ceremony, Honourable Nnanna Igbokwe, Special Guest of Honour commended the people for embarking of the fundamental cultural event which has the potentials to be copied by other towns and villages. He used the opportunity to thank the people of Umuoni whom he describes as the backbone of his political support in the constituency in which he had the highest vote in every election.
In his own remarks the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Honourable Valentine Echebelem said that the objective of the event was to awake the cultural consciousness of the people with a view to focusing the minds of the younger generation on the people’s culture and tradition.
On his part, Mr. Felix Ezeakalam, Chairman of Umuoni Aladinma, said that the people of Umuoni have been involved in cultural activities for years now in order not to lack behind in the new trend of cultural revivals within the Christian realm going on throughout Igbo ethnic nationality beginning with the revival of Iwa Akwa Ceremony in 2002. He commended the efforts of Dr. Chuks Osuji for his initiatives and ideas by encouraging series of cultural and traditional events in accordance with Christian norms.
Furthermore, Mr. Ezeakalam applauded the efforts of their sons and daughters who came home to identify with the people during the festival, calling on them to donate and support some of the projects in the village including reinforcement of transformers, building of stores and sinking of boreholes.
Among some important personalities who graced the occasion which featured the launch of the Aladinma Constitution included;
Mr. Ngozi Echebelem, a US based auto-dealer: Mr. Barth Eke, Vice President Finance/CFO Credit Union USA: Engr. Dan Eke, an Oil Service Engineer based in Houston Texas USA, Mr. Okwuoma Maduforo, an Attorney at Law, USA, Dr. Ikechukwu Anakani (USA), Dr. Emma Abata, an Abuja based Medical Consultant, Comrade Bede Onwuagbaoke and Charles Eze, Chairman of the two kindred Aladinma and many elders of the community.
In his opening prayer, the oldest man in the village, Sir Clifford Echebelem prayed to God to grant the people peaceful cultural re-union.
It was indeed a festival which saw the people in a joyous mood almost a week long – A festival they have long dreamt of. The festival is now to be held annually.
