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Awka indigenes in Lagos, under the auspices of the Awka Development Union (ADU), Lagos Branch, have reaffirmed their commitment to preserving their cultural heritage, promoting unity and strengthening community bonds. The reaffirmation was made at the 2026 Iliji (New Yam) ceremony held at Obu Awka in Lagos.
The ceremony attracted members of the union, families, friends and well-wishers, as well as guests, including the Area Commander, Area E, FESTAC Town, of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Chike Oti, who is also an illustrious son of Awka. For the Awka people, the Iliji ceremony was more than a social gathering. It was an opportunity for members of the Awka community living in Lagos to reconnect with their cultural roots, celebrate their shared identity and strengthen the bonds that bind them together.
The event was presided over by the President of ADU Lagos Branch, Sir Patrick Muoneke, whose leadership has continued to provide a platform for members to come together and participate in activities aimed at promoting the welfare and development of the community.
Held at the prestigious Obu Awka, situated at Apple Junction, Amuwo-Odofin, the Iliji ceremony, in Awka tradition, marks the end of the farming season and the beginning of the new yam harvest. Members turned out in colourful traditional attire, creating an atmosphere that reflected the richness of the community’s cultural heritage.
The ceremony commenced with the presentation of kolanut by the women’s wing of ADU. The presentation of kolanut has traditional significance, particularly in Igbo culture, where women traditionally present kola to the head of the family when visitors are received.
The cutting of the yam followed the breaking of the kolanut, after which prayers were offered and blessings were pronounced for the Awka people for a better year ahead.
From the opening activities to the social interactions that followed, the gathering provided members with an opportunity to renew friendships and establish new relationships. The ceremony also brought together different generations, allowing older members to share aspects of the community’s traditions and values with younger people.
This intergenerational connection remains particularly important in Lagos, a cosmopolitan city where cultural practices can easily be overshadowed by the demands and influences of urban life.
Community associations such as ADU therefore play an important role in ensuring that people living far from their ancestral communities do not lose touch with their heritage. Through regular meetings, cultural celebrations and development initiatives, such associations provide a link between the people and their roots.
The presence of the Area Commander, Area E, FESTAC Town, of the Nigeria Police Force, also added significance to the occasion. His attendance underscored the importance of cordial relations between the police and community organisations, particularly in an urban environment where effective community engagement is essential for peace and security.
The participation of the police authority in the celebration demonstrated that cultural and community organisations can provide useful platforms for strengthening relationships between residents and security agencies.
Beyond the festivities, the Iliji ceremony provided an opportunity for members to reflect on the responsibilities that come with belonging to a community.
Some members of the Awka community in Lagos who spoke to Daily Sun said the strength of a development union is not determined only by its ability to organise social events, but also by its capacity to mobilise members towards initiatives that improve their collective welfare.
They said that maintaining unity among members remains an important foundation for achieving the developmental objectives of ADU. According to them, a united community is better positioned to identify its challenges, mobilise resources and support projects that can make a positive difference in the lives of its people.
They also said the ceremony highlighted the role of cultural celebrations in preserving identity. In an era of rapid social change, traditional events provide an avenue for younger members to understand where they come from and appreciate the values handed down by previous generations.
For parents and elders, the presence of younger members at such gatherings offers an opportunity to pass on cultural knowledge that cannot always be acquired through formal education.
The colourful displays, traditional attire, music, interaction and communal spirit associated with the celebration all combined to make the occasion a reflection of the community’s identity.
Through the activities of the day, the organisers demonstrated that cultural preservation and community development can work hand in hand. While the Iliji ceremony provided an avenue for celebration, it equally reinforced the values of friendship, cooperation, mutual support and responsibility.
For Sir Patrick Muoneke and the leadership of the ADU Lagos Branch, the gathering was also an opportunity to strengthen the union and encourage members to remain committed to its objectives.
The choice of Obu Awka at Apple Junction, Amuwo-Odofin, as the venue further gave the event a distinctive cultural setting, bringing together members in an environment associated with community identity and traditional values.
Ausuma Malaika, a prominent indigenous highlife/Afrosounds musician from Awka, who is known for promoting the local culture and dialect through his art, also entertained the gathering.
As the celebration continued, the atmosphere remained one of joy and togetherness. Members and guests used the occasion to interact freely, celebrate their heritage and share memorable moments.
The Iliji ceremony ultimately demonstrated that community traditions remain relevant even in a rapidly changing society. For members of the Awka Development Union in Lagos, the celebration served as a reminder that preserving culture is not simply about looking back at the past; it is also about building a stronger sense of identity and unity for the future.
With the participation of community members and the presence of the police authority, the occasion also reflected the broader role of traditional and development associations in fostering peaceful coexistence and responsible citizenship.
The ADU Lagos Branch’s Iliji ceremony was therefore not only a celebration of culture, but also a celebration of community, friendship and collective responsibility.
It offered members an opportunity to celebrate who they are, where they come from and the bonds that continue to unite them despite living in one of Africa’s most diverse and fast-growing cities.
