Igbo Cultural Day: Ezendigbo Of Ejigbo Host Dignitaries At The Iri-ji Obindigbo Festival.
By Onome Naomi
The Iri-ji Iwaji celebration is centred on display of cultural feats to enhance the Igbo tradition and educate the public on the rich cultural heritage passed on from generations to generations observed yearly to commemorate the arrival of “New Yam” while thanking God for a bountiful harvest.
Obindigbo council of chiefs and leaders in Ejigbo LCDA chaperoned by Eze Alex Nwoye demonstrates the essence of Iwaji in a power packed glamorous concise event of royalties and highly placed personalities of the Igbo decent as well as non tribe in Lagos and it’s environs on 23rd September, 2023.
Dignitaries from all walks of life who graced the occasion includes: Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA Hon Monsurudeen Oloyede Bello represented by Hon. Paul Fregene SLG , Eze Chika Nwokedi Ezendigbo Ijegun Ijeododo, wife and cabinet members, PG Sunday Udeh of Igbo speaking community Lagos and wife, Chief Dr. Celestine Chukwuneyem, Eze Nwazubuike Nwabueze, Eze Dimgba, Ezendigbo of Akwaibom state, Ezendigbo 1of Lagos state Eze Azike, Ezeudo, Eze Chris Nwachukwu the Ezendigbo 2 of Lagos, Hon Jude Idimogu former member House of Assembly constituency 2, Hon.Grace counsellor Ejigbo LCDA and many other traditionalists in Lagos.
The activities at the Obindigbo Iri-ji festival 2023 are: Traditional dances and cultural displays, unveiling of 2024 calendar, Iwaji ceremonial activities for cutting of the yam and other social activities.
Bobaselu Of Ejigbo Eze Alex Nwoye while speaking with Naomi Sophy Blog revealed that this year’s Iriji was observed in two places at a time, the mainland and Island in Lagos. Said he assumed traditional leadership 17yrs ago which makes him the most senior Igbo traditional leader in Ejigbo amongst other 4 Ezes within his jurisdiction of reign. He was a member of the Oba council in Ejigbo for a long period of time but left in October, 2021.
The host of the event, Eze Alex said Iri-ji is igbo culture and as a traditionalist, leader and a title man, Iriji is observed periodically to fulfil cultural demands before yam is consumed yearly. Iri-ji is meant to showcase culture to our immediate community, friends, our children and well wishers. In the eastern part of Nigeria where the Igbo tribe is settled, months between August and October is set aside for kings to unveil New yam before the people can eat it.
He also revealed that what works for other Ezes might not in all apply to his style of celebrating Iri-ji as he must firstly observe the festival from his home town in Anambra as a member of his village council before proceeding to his base in Lagos to celebrate with other western and eastern brothers and sisters here.
While recounting his achievements so far from 2006 till date as Obindigbo of Ejigbo, he said during the COVID-19 pandemic he was probably the only Eze who gave out palliatives in Ejigbo community. Says he also extended that magnanimity to Uniform personnels ranging from Nigeria Police to Lastma and others, churches and mosques also benefitted, his hometown was not left out in his philanthropic givings. More so, he loves to touch lives in the most positive way which has earned him utmost importance in the hearts of many.
The Anambra state born royalty Eze Alex Nwoye Bobaselu of Ejigbo revealed that the essence of having Ezes in all the local government in the states is to attend to matters that concerns the Ndigbos either as a mouthpiece of a problem solver, a reason Ezes are interconnected as seen during festivals or cultural events of a member.
Read Also:First Ofala/Iri-ji Festival: Eze Nicholas Emenike Njoku Celebrates New Feat
Bobaselu of Ejigbo prides himself as the light of the family as the 7th child amongst his siblings of 5 male and 5 females, a reason he started achieving leadership roles early in life up till date, he also served in different capacities as special adviser to notable Igbo leaders.
More photos from the event:
