Ezendigbo preaches peace, celebrates new yam festival in Ogun
For Eze Willy Okonkwo Ejimnkeonye, the Ezendigbo (Igbo 1) of Ogun State, and other high Igbo chiefs, Sunday, September 15, 2019 was a special day.
It was a day when indigenous and non-indigenous Igbo residents, working or doing business within and outside the state, gathered at the Obi Ndigbo palace in Eze, located on the Agosi Estate in Ifo, Ogun State, to celebrate the new name annual. festival, a tradition that has been handed down to them by their ancestors.
Around 2:00 p.m. on that fateful Sunday, the caciques and other participants arrived at the palace for the traditional homage to the Eze.
They came from all the local government areas of the state, armed with yam tubers, assorted drinks and money to pay the traditional homage to Eze and ask for your prayers and blessings for their families and businesses.
Some of the prominent Igbo chiefs who attended the event included: Paramount Chief Ndubuisi Njoku, President Emeritus, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Lawyer Goddy Okolie, Eze’s Legal Counsel, and Paramount Chief Lolo Sunday Onyenwe, who was awarded the title from Akudinwa. and her husband, Osodiemeaku, by the Eze during the celebration.
After a series of prayers for peace, unity, prosperity and progress, the traditional kola nut breaking began and all the chiefs present, as well as other participants, offered kola nut and palm, among other items, as a sign of unity and friendship.
In his welcome speech, Ogun Ezendigbo explained that he is delighted and grateful to Almighty God to note that throughout the years, Igbos, all over the world, have always lived in peace and unity with their host communities.
His words: “This is the reason why God has continued to bless the Ndigbos in whatever profession, vocation, business business they find themselves in, regardless of their weed-to-weed history.”
Thereafter, the Eze embarked on another marathon prayer, asking God to ensure peace, happiness, unity, and prosperity, particularly in Ogun State, now that Dapo Abiodun is the governor, while Kayode Taiwo Oluomo is the speaker.
He also prayed for the regime of President Muhammed Buhari, asking God to guide him correctly in a country whose economy is currently at a gallop.
The second part of the celebration was held at the Winnars Hotel, located opposite Ifo General Hospital, Ogun State, on the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, where the new yam festival was held with prayers and pieces of roasted yam and shared with African salad to the participants.
Sunday Onyenwe, previously bestowed the title of Akudinwa by Eze and his spouse, Osodiemeaku, express their satisfaction at the peace and friendly manner in which this year’s new yam festival was conducted and call all Igbo within and out of state to continue to show that maturity in dealing with their host communities in the interest of peace and unity.
Dauda Onabanjo, an Ijebu Ode Indian, who attended the celebration, thanked Eze for ensuring that the Igbo live in peace with members of their host communities in the state.