By: Oginyi Nkechinyere/South-East
The Ebonyi State Governor, Engineer David Umahi has called on the people of Ezekuna land to use the up-coming culture of Okeaku New Yam Festival to inculcate peace, unity and love among themselves.
Governor Umahi who made the call in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor; Sir Emmanuel Uzor (KSJ) described Okeaku New Yam Festival as a traditional practices that has refused to be influenced by foreign religious principles that have changed other Igbo traditional norms down the agonizing ocean of irredeemable cultural history.
According to him, Festival as it is called by the Ezekuna people serves as a key player holding the traditional characters of every Ezza indigene both home and abroad which defines, unifies, projects and protects the core values of Ezza Ezekuna.
The Governor confessed that the festival is an enviable, rich and spectacular cultural heritage which deserves to be protected with all the State has, saying, by doing so Ezza Ezekuna cultural history would never be written in minuscule.
“The New yam festival known as Okeaku in Ezza land marks the end of the each year in Ezza customary calendar and ushers in a period of harvest for all the indigenous farmers of Ezekuna clan.
“From my childhood, I have always admired the unity exhibited by Ezza people during and after each year’s celebration of this encompassing new yam festival.
“I must confess, it’s an enviable, rich, and sumptuous cultural heritage which deserves to be protected with all we have, by doing that, Ezza Ezekuna cultural history can never be written in minuscule.
“As I celebrate with you today, I want you to use this opportunity to go down memory lane, open your minds, and feel the positive impacts of this present administration on the good people of Ezza land for the past 3 years.
“I will not say much about that, but at least Okeaku festival for the past 3 years have always been presided over by your own son who happens to be the Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council of Ebonyi State, Secretary to the State Government and many more members of the State Executive Council all of Ezza Extraction.
“As you celebrate this year’s Okeaku festival, use this time to preach peace and unity among you, be your brothers’ keeper and pray always for God’s guidance as we hope to celebrate together again next seasons.
“I therefore on behalf of my family and patriotic citizens of Ebonyi State heartily felicitate with the good people of Ezza Ezekuna, the council of Elders, Ndu Ozo le Ochimkpuru and indeed all Ezza sons and daughters both home and Diaspora on the 2018 Okeaku Ezza Ezekuna holding Thursday, the 26th July 2018 and wish you and indeed the people of Ebonyi state a happy celebration” Stressed.
