First Ofala/Iri-ji Festival: Eze Nicholas Emenike Njoku Celebrates New Feat
By Onome Naomi
Eze Amb. Nicholas Emenike Njoku, Ezendigbo Aigbaka Ejigbo of the Obi Ndigbo Eziokwu Bu Ndu Palace host guest, friends and family at the First Ofala/ Iri-ji Festival held on 30th September, 2023 in Lagos.
The Ndigbos in Lagos maintains a high standard of consistency in the display of the rich cultural heritage observed from generation to generation such as the ” New Yam Festival” Iri-ji to commemorate a new season of bountiful harvest. According to the Igbo tradition, it is said that ‘YAM’ is the chief of all crops hence a need to culturally usher the leguminous crop into a year of the abundance it brings while thanking Almighty God for life.
Mammoth crowd graced the occasion of Eze Nicholas Njoku’s first traditionally celebrated Ofala/Iri-ji Festival where series of cultural displays , side attractions, cultural troops, dances and many other program was observed. The celebration commenced by observing the National Anthem as a show of respect to Nigeria, breaking of colanut, welcome address by the chairman organizing committee, dancing competitions by state town unions, Royal dances, unveiling of the yearly pictorial magazine for the Ofala/Iri-ji Festival, traditional ushering in of the new yam and so on.
The Ofala event was met with a pre-event at the Obi Ndigbo Eziokwu Bu Ndu Palace where Eze Nicholas Njoku the presiding Ezendigbo of Ejigbo was given an investiture as the patron of Ejigbo District of Boys Scout by the state commissioner. Eze Nicholas also conferred titles on new cabinet chiefs, which includes who have served the palace assiduously to be recognized as cabinet members, they are:”Okeze 1 of Ejigbo”( Double Chief of Ejigbo land)Chief Nze Henry Imo Agujiegbe, Chief Chinonye Orji “Ubazuo Oke”(Let the wealth go round)
Chief Christopher N Okolie- “Ochudo 1of Ejigbo land”(peace maker), Chief Pascal Onyiyechi Njoku “Akujiugo 1of Ejigbo”(The hand that holds the eagle) Barr. Chief Charles Onyeaku “Eziaku kaanma of Lagos”(Good wealth is supreme).
At the Ofala event, Naomi Sophy Blog spoke with some of the special guest at the venue of the Ofala to enlighten the populace on the significance of the Iri-ji and why it must be culturally unveiled by the traditional Igbo rulers or titled men before it is consumed yearly, Here’s why..
The chairman of the occasion, Prince Hillary Ugochukwu Nwachukwu Amam (Ugo Sly) said the Ofala Iri-ji is an Igbo festival celebrated to usher in the new yam. Noted that the Iri-ji festival in Igbo culture is like celebrating mankind and must be observed to sustain cultural heritage. Advices the igbos in Lagos to have simple respect for the igbo origin because a people without a history is like a tree without a root.
Hon. Engr. Chuks Odimegwu, secretary Igbo speaking community Lagos, Chairman organizing committee of the First Ofala/ Iri-ji of Eze Nicholas Njoku said the gathering is to celebrate the culture and tradition of the Igbos observed before new yam is eaten for the season. Iri-ji festival by the igbos is a must do cultural event yearly, every community in Igbo land organises the Iri-ji /Ofala to mark the end of a year and the beginning of a new year. The unique feature of this festival is celebrating the king of all crops “Yam”. Noted that the Igbo day celebration promotes unity and togetherness bringing the Eastern culture to West for the sons and daughters of Ndigbo who aren’t opportuned to witness the rich cultural heritage back home in the east to participate and know what the culture entails.
Engr Chuks also stated that Eze Nicholas one year on the throne was decided after the demise of the previous Ezendigbo of Ejigbo and as well his first Ofala celebration as an Eze. He said within one year of his enthronement, Eze Nicholas has achieved a lot of feats, he established an Igbo school for the children to learn the Igbo language especially those who do not know how to speak or understand the Igbo culture.
Another special guest who granted an interview with Naomi Sophy Blog is Hon. Jude Chukwuemeka Idimogu, the former member of Lagos state house of Assembly representing Oshodi/Isolo constituency 2. He said the new yam festival is an annual event observed by every Igbo man, it’s a culture made by our fore fathers and has passed on from generation to generation.
He revealed that the idea behind the Iriji festival is to Thank Almighty God and the gods of the land for life and a bounty harvest to enable another successful planting and harvesting season, says Ndigbos respect cultural heritage. The festival also has a way of bringing all tribes together to witness the rich Igbo culture and tradition as this usher in joy and peace. Advises Igbos to make peace, love everyone equally not minding tribe or race, honor co eastern brothers and make Igbo nation united and great. Implores Ndigbos in the East to give peace a chance , the blood shed in the east is the blood of our brothers, the killings amongst ourselves should stop. Let there be peace in Igbo land, he quipped.
Eze Chika Nwokedi, Ezendigbo Ijegun Ijeododo, Okpoko 1 of Obodoukwu, Founder Ndi Igbo Buruotu Association Of Nigeria, Former President of Ladipo Market, Current Chairman council of Ndi Ezes Lagos said Eze Nicholas Njoku is the PRO council of Ndi Ezes in Lagos hence a must attended event for all Ezes to celebrate with an outstandingly transparent executive member of the council. He further stated that the Iri-ji Festival is observed by Igbos in Nigeria and in diaspora.
Eze Chika said according to culture, the king of an Igbo tribe prays upon the new yam before it is being celebrated, this singular significance evokes abundance of blessings as the new season begins, it’s an Igbo Cultural day celebration. He further appraised Eze Nicholas, described him as a very good man who stands for the truth in all his dealings, a reason he is loved by other Ezes. The event shows how much he is accepted and respected by the community where he rules with the massive turnout of guest and well wishers in attendance.
While speaking with one Barr. Chief Charles Kelechi Onyeaku the Eziaku Kaanma of Lagos who also doubles as a national analyst on various TV broadcast, he gave an insight as to why his title came in as different from others conferred. Expressing gratitude, Barr. Charles said his recognition as a chieftain was switched from the confines of Ejigbo to Lagos state at large as confirmed by Chief Sunday Udeh, the PG of Igbo speaking community during the chieftaincy conferment at Eze Nicholas Njoku the Ezendigbo of Ejigbo palace.
He said the chieftaincy title is been long coming as he is from a royal family as well as his wife. Revealed he has been confered with chieftaincy title 3 times in same day as the Ofala/ Iri-ji Festival of Obi Ndigbo Eziokwu Bu Ndu Palace was in progress.
Barr. Charles noted that the Iri-ji Festival is done yearly to thankGod for life and a good yeild of yam harvest, the chief of all crops. He enlightened the public on the use of red cap as a chief, he said it is a responsibility and a commitment to say that you will do that which is right at all times to all humanity for the rest of your life. Those who wears red cap for fashion has no commitment as it means nothing, expresses elation at his adoption by Lagos state Igbo speaking community as a Lagos Chief given double honor. He is also the Executive legal adviser for the Igbo speaking community Lagos.
Hon. Paul Fregene representing the Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA Hon. Monsurudeen Oloyede Bello said the chairman aligns with non indigenes, he is ethnic friendly and as such commemorates with Ndigbos in celebrations such as the Ofala. He said the Igbos have over time sustained the values of cultural heritage, the Ndigbos identify with their tradition anywhere around the world. Encourages Igbos to continually sustain their culture as the govt will continue to encourage and identify with Ndigbos. As per the economic challenges, Fregene advised the people to give the FGN more time to address the economic situation, a reason why different measures is being taken to ease the pains of suffering Nigerians, he said in Ejigbo, cash palliatives will be given to 2000 families to ameliorate hardship.
Guest who graced the occasion includes: Chief Dr. Sunday Udeh (Onwa Ndigbo) PG Igbo speaking community in Lagos, Eze Dr. Chika Nwokedi Chairman council of Ndi Ezes in Lagos, Hon Jude Idimogu former House of Rep. Member, Prince Hillary Ugochukwu Nwachukwu Am(Ugo Sly)Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Engr Chuks Odimegwu SG Igbo speaking community in Lagos, HRM. Obikanyil O. Ezenwa (Onwa) Igwe Nkataukwu Ohazurume, Onunakwuruoha II of Umuomaku ancient kingdom Orumba South LGA, Anambra state, Hon. Dr Paul Fregene representing the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA Hon.Monsuru Oloyede Bello (OBE), Chief Tony Okoli ( Ogbuefi Akuruolo) Chairman council of chiefs Eziokwu Bu Ndu Palace, Aare Prince Osinote PG of OODUA People congress(OPC), Eze Amb Dr Alex Nwoye Eze Igbo & Bobaselu Of Ejigbo land, Eze Odumodu , Eze Kingsley Anayochukwu Nwaololo Eze Ndigbo Etiosa East, Eze Ikem Ezendigbo isolo,Eze Emenike Ezendigbo Bucknor, High Chief Joshua representing Ezendigbo Alimosho, High Chief Sunny Akpoyibo and other royalties in Lagos.
Read Also:Igbo Cultural Day: Ezendigbo Ijegun Ijeododo celebrates Iwaji with Igbos in Lagos.
Eze Nicholas Njoku in his one year as Ezendigbo Ejigbo exhibits a high level of sustainable cultural heritage as seen in his establishment of Ulo Nmuta na Asusu Igbo, a school where children can learn to speak Igbo language, learn culture and traditions. Described the event as a period where the Igbo speaking community come together to thankGod for another new harvest,the Iri-ji Festival is a celebration of culture and tradition.
In appreciation, Eze Njoku expressed gratitude to God almighty for his mercies so far, thanked persons who contributed to the success of the occasion.
More photos from the Iri-ji festival:
