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From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The rich cultural heritage of the ancient Obosi kingdom, Idemili North LGA, Anambra State will be on showcase to the global audience at this year’s Obiora Festival
Chairman of the Obiora Obosi Festival Committee, Hon. Kenneth Ifeatu Obi who disclosed this during a press briefing yesterday at Chief Emeka Anyaoku Library Center, Obosi, said activities have already been lined up to make this year’s events the best among other ones celebrated in the previous years.
The week-long cultural fiesta which will come to a climax on Saturday, October 25, will be presided over by the traditional ruler of Ancient Obosi Kingdom, His Majesty, Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Ogalagidi) (Eze Iweka III) who is also the incumbent Chairman of Anambra state council of traditional rulers. It also marks his 14th year on the throne.
Flanked by other High Chiefs from Obosi, Engr. Henry Ikechukwu Onwuekwe (Omodi Daike), Nze Igwebuike Shedrach Okenwa (Ugoeju) and other prominent members of Obosi council of Chiefs, Obi explained that Obiora festival, as an annual celebration, means a total reconciliation of all outstanding disputes between families, kindreds, villages and quarters within the Obosi ancient kingdom.
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Obi further explained that it is after the resolution of such disputes by the Igwe and his cabinet members that the festival will be celebrated by all and sundry as part of new yam festival celebration with open hearts full of joy to thank God and their ancestors for all-year-round protection from all iniquities and obstacles, as well as for a bountiful yield.
He disclosed that this year’s event will kick-start with a N50 million scholarship scheme for all the pupils and students in all the schools of Idemili North and South Local Government Areas of the state, followed by youth carnival on Monday, October 20.
He noted that youth conference will follow suit on Tuesday, October 21, while 10 prominent Obosi persons will be honoured with outstanding awards the following day with a Gala Night before the Obiora/Iwaji celebration proper billed for Saturday, October 25.
In their separate speeches, Onwuekwe and Okenwa noted that the issue of security of lives and property in Obosi kingdom, both before, during and after the week-long events is highly guaranteed for both indigenes at home and in the diaspora, as well as non -indigenes who are expected to attend from all parts of the world.
According to Onwuekwe and Okenwa, apart from the fact that Obosi people have many prominent sons and daughters serving in various security formations and retired ones, the community also has good working relationship with security network so much so that security will be guaranteed from beginning to the end.
