The Awgu Community in Enugu State on Saturday 13th July, 2019 conferred ICON OF PEACE title – ‘EZEUDO 1 of Awgu’ on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State as they celebrated ‘Ikeji Awgu Egbeleli’, their new yam festival. The celebration involved the three autonomous communities which make up Awgu clan. The communities are Ugwuleshi, Adogbalato and Ogboli/Ohaja autonomous communities in Awgu LGA.
The Chairman and Coordinator of the event, Prof. Reko Okoye in his speech said that “it is quite obvious that, in the beginning of any venture, they could be some element of mistakes. In trying to get us together as one indivisible community, they could be mistakes. In the event of any flaws, on behalf of “Awgu Egbeleli Social-Cultural Economic Development and Unity forum”, founded by Awgu Youths Assiociation, I sincerely apologise for such flaws and then beckon on all illustrious sons and daughters of Awgu Egbeleli who mean well for the community to come forward with their good suggestions for better and greater Awgu Egbeleli in the interest of us all and the generations yet unborn.”
The presentation of kola to the Executive Governor of Enugu State was anchored by the Traditional Prime Minister of Ogboli-Ohaja Autonomous Community, Chief T.O Udeji, who brought the kola and was handed over to the Council Chairman of Awgu, Hon. Stanley Afam Okeke who did the presentation to the Governor and His Royal Highness, the Traditional Ruler of Ugwuleshi autonomous community, Igwe Godwin Nwobi prayed over the kola.
Chief Humphrey Ojimma in his opening remarks welcomed Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to Ikeji Awgu Egbeleli and appreciated him for the good works he is doing.
His Royal Highness, Igwe Nwobi, the Traditional Ruler of Ugwuleshi autonomous community conducted the conferment of the traditional title of ‘Ezeudo 1 of Awgu’ on Gov. Ugwuanyi, meaning king/icon of peace in recognition of his tireless effort in sustaining peace in Enugu State.
New Yam festival across Igbo land is, however, known by several names including Iri ji, Onwa Asaa, Iwa Ji or Orurueshi, among others, in various communities. There is no specific date for the celebration of this Igbo festival but most communities hold the festival at the beginning of each harvest season to thank the gods for bountiful harvests, especially yam. In some Igbo communities, yam is regarded as the queen or chief crop; hence it is a taboo for anyone to sit on it. The dates differ from one area to the other. In some agricultural communities, new yam festivals are held to herald the formal eating of new yams; hence it is called new yam festival. Some Igbo elders do not eat new yam except after the formal yearly iri ji festivals. Those who celebrate Onwa Asaa do so to thank the god of their forefathers for keeping them alive to eat another new yam or even cows to celebrate the event with their brothers and sisters who they had not seen over a period of time.
The 2019 Ikeji Awgu Egbeleli held at Orio Awgu market square witnessed masquerades display, feasting, dancing and other cultural performances with neighborhood security watch who did their best in ensuring orderliness throughout the event. There was presentation of awards to deserving personalities who have distinguished themselves among their equals in Awgu.
Other dignitaries at the event include – the Chief Whip of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Jane Eneh, honourable member representing Awgu North Constituency; Hon. Johnson Okwudili Chukwuobasi, member representing Awgu South Constituency; Chief Obi Kama, chairman, Enugu State Science, Technical and Vocational School Management Board; Hon. Nelson Uduji, former honourable member, Awgu South Constituency; Hon. Mrs. Orjiude, deputy council chair-person, Awgu LGA; Hon. Ugonna Ibe, former transition council caretaker chairman, Awgu LGA; security personnel from within and outside Awgu divisional police headquarters; members of the press and host of others.
Gov. Ugwuanyi in his speech, started by praising the Almighty God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob and the awesome God of David for granting him and all Ndi Awgu journey mercies to make it for the event. He reiterated his commitment for the development of Awgu, starting with Awgu game village and the University of Education in Ihe. He enjoined all other communities to learn from Awgu community in doing things in peace for the love and development of the State.
