As Igwe Douglas Okwara fetes Uzodimma, Orlu nation
The Igbo new yam festival is an annual occasion of offering and celebrating immense thanks to the gods of the land (or God) for making the farm yields possible as well as offering for even a better harvest in the subsequent planting season.
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, the entire Orlu zone and Imo by extension was on shutdown as the ancient kingdom, Umuna in Orlu local government, led by a charismatic leader and first class traditional ruler, Igwe of Umuna , His Royal Majesty, Eze Douglas Okwara (Okwarachukwu IV, Obi of Ebeassa) celebrated yet another new yam festival on the traditional ancient stool of his forefathers for 22 uninterrupted years.
The event was simply a display of glamour and celebration of Igbo rich cultural heritage. The peaceful ambience that surrounded his royal palace, the harmless presence of security personnel who mounted surveillance at the junction and the joy on the faces of Umuna people served as a pointer that Igwe of Umuna – Dr. Douglas Okwara is a natural ruler, loved and mostly revered not just by Orlu nation home and abroad, but also by ndi Imo.
Ezek Douglas is an epitome of an ordained king from the womb as he always radiates with an extraordinary brilliance, swag of royalty; embodying leadership virtues that inspire his subjects, Umuna ancient kingdom, and the entire generation. His traditional stool and reign, no doubt, is a huge testament to the celebration of royalty, ancient wisdom, knowledge, entrepreneurship, community development, leadership of inclusiveness, and that of humanity.
The colourful ceremony which was held at his Ishiobi palace, was accompanied with pomp and pageantry as it showed off a wide range of social activities: cultural dance, royal parade, acrobatic and masquerade displays while Bongo live band was on ground to entertain the guests.
Having returned safely from his world tour in the United Kingdom, Paris in France, Munich in Germany, Belgium, Austria, and other places, where he had town hall meetings with sons and daughters of Umuna and Orlu zone preparatory to the now celebrated Iriji Ohuru Umuna; with a show of gratitude to the gods of the land and his ancestors for another fruitful harvest; an obviously elated Igwe of Umuna, while addressing members of his ancient kingdom and numerous guests present before performing the new yam cutting rites with traditional libation, thanked members of his ancient kingdom, families and farmers who tilled the soil to have a bountiful harvest that villages and communities in Orlu are celebrating with.
He commended members of his royal cabinet, village heads, titled chiefs, ndi Nze -na Ozo, president- generals of the various villages in Umuna, farmers, the artisans, traders, including market men and women for turning out in large number to attend the 2024 Iriji Ohuru Umuna.
In his remark, Eze Okwara said the Igbo new yam festival is a cherished culture of ndi Igbo, stating that our relationship with the spirits, which are our forefathers should not be discarded because of modernism.
He, however, urged the youths to desist from social vices such as drugs, which he noted are harmful to them. Eze Okwara Douglas further stated that the youths should at all times protect, project, and promote the origin of the Igbo man.
Performing the usual ritual of cutting the new yam, he expressed gratitude to God for making a bountiful harvest after the planting season. He also prayed God to aid the Igbos to sustain their rich cultural heritage and values.
The special guest of honour and Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, who was represented by Imo Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Barr. Jerry Egemba, delivered a heartwarming goodwill message of encouragement, solidarity and support to the monarch, the citizens of Umuna and all foreigners who are residing or gainfully employed in the area, admonishing them to live in peace and harmony.
Uzodimma thanked Igwe Douglas Okwara for according him and the good people of Imo State warm reception at his royal palace during the new yam festival. He affirmed his long-lasting relationship with the traditional ruler, which has run over two decades even before his emergence as the governor.
He also seized the opportunity to admonish Orlu and Imo youths to be law abiding; maintaining that peace is priceless and the only way to bring about accelerated socio-economic development while engendering prosperity and political stability in the state.
From one speaker to another, community leaders, as well as invited guests, took turns to eulogise the Eze Okwara for showing exemplary leadership, charming and endearing personality, and also elevating the traditional stool of his forefathers to an enviable level.
The high point of the event was the conferment of chieftaincy titles on well deserving illustrious sons of Umuna that have contributed immensely towards community development.
They include Chief Okechukwu Agunenye (Ikeoha 1 of Umuna), Chief Azuka Okafor (Obata Ihe Adi 1 of Umuna), and Chief Joachim Olumba (Ezi Enyi nonamba 1 of Umuna).
The epoch making event attracted dignitaries from and across Imo State; tourists, visitors, including Orlu billionaire businessmen from abroad. Among the traditional rulers and other dignitaries in attendance include:
His Royal Majesty, Dr. Leslie Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka) traditional ruler of Woji – Evo Kingdom, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, His Royal Highness, Eze MC Nwokoma, Okaa-Omee 4th of Umuokanne Ancient Kingdom, Ohaji/Egbema Council, Imo State,
His Royal Majesty, Eze Edy Akano, OFR (Ezerioha iv of Isu Ancient Kingdom), His Royal Highness, Eze Godwin Ejiogu
(Kara of Umunakara, Nwangele Council, Imo State),
HRM, Eze G.A.E.O Agbajim
(Ezeahurukwe of Amike),
HRM, Eze Prof. Dele Odigbo
(EzeIgwe of Nkwesi Ancient Kingdom Oguta), and
HRH, Eze Oliver Njoku
(Abazuma II of Abazu Ikeduru Council).
Others are Chief Celestine Opurum (Ekwueme of Dim-na-Nume Isu-Nwangele,
Governor United Isu Progressive), Chief Cosmos Maduba (Odoebube Isu), Imo Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Marcel Odunze, Chairman of Max Aluminium Ltd, Prince Chris Akano of Isu, Nze Tex Ukonu, Barr. IK Ihezuo (Ikemba Umuna), House of Assembly member representing Orlu State Constituency, Chief Anthony Ahaneku, and Amb. Charles Mbachu, among others.
