The lawmaker representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi at the National Assembly, Comrade Chinedu Ogah, has urged Nigerians to rediscover their communities’ rich cultural heritage and use it to promote peace and unity in the country.

Ogah, who spoke at Amagu in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi, during the annual Aja-Ereke cultural festival of his community, noted that Nigerians would earn more respect from outsiders when they rediscover and imbibe our various cultural heritage.

He praised the Federal Government and state government for creating a conducive atmosphere for culture and other segments of the people’s lives to thrive.

He noted that the Aja-Ereke festival is an annual event that brings people together in respect, where they belong, noting their sons and daughters all over the world return to celebrate the festival.

The lawmaker stated that 25 villages, which make up the community, observed the week-long activities marking the festival, with this particular event being the climax.

Ogah urged relevant stakeholders in the country, especially politicians, to always identify with their people and not when elections approach, we come home to deceive them.

He added that the festival was one of the best moments he had with his people, stressing that he gyrated freely with his people during his community’s cultural festival because they are his security.

He said, “I also urge the people to continue supporting Gov. Francis Nwifuru and President Bola Tinubu as they have created conducive atmospheres for our culture to thrive.

“You can see that my people guide, protect, and direct my movements, thereby giving me the needed strength, so I advise leaders to be attached to their people and always dwell in their midst.

“I will do all within his powers to sustain the festival due to the peace and unity it brings to the community and it will be a joint project with stakeholders and people of the community, as you can observe that those based abroad returned in their numbers.”

Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Moses Odunwa, commended Ogah for magnifying the cultural festival, which has brought the community to the limelight.

He noted that the enthusiasm shown by Ogah and other stakeholders in making the festival glamorous should be emulated by all.

Dignitaries from within and outside the state attended the colourful event with various cultural performances on display.