It was a celebration of reach cultural heritage on Friday, August 30th, 2024, as the people of Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, tropped out en masse to hold their Iriji festival ” held once a year.
The occasion is adorned in all Ibeku land, and has over the years attracted people from far and near who gladly join in celebrating the reach cultural heritage that makes Ibeku land unique.
Addressing newsmen after the Iriji festival, a prominent son of Ibeku land, and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress APC, Hon. Ikechukwu Apugo, expressed joy that this year’s event has gone down memory land after achieving huge success.
The former ASEPA boss, said the people of Ibeku, have rich cultural heritage which their forefathers handed over to them, noting that in return they showcase their rich cultural heritage for the world to see and appreciate Ibeku land and indeed the South-East geo-political zone.
Hon. Ikechukwu, pointed out that the Iriji festival is a big ceremony in Ibeku land which brings Ibeku sons and daughters together, stating that the occasion is held once a year throughout Ibeku land.
He added that after the general Iriji, villages and communities in Ibeku land proceed to their communities where the occasion is expanded, stressing that it is a very big event in their land.
While emphasizing that Ibeku people are generous and accommodating, Hon. Ikechukwu, said this is exemplified during the Iriji Ibeku festival as they take time to acknowledge the presence of people from Akwa Ibom, Imo State as well as LGAs like Ohafia, among others who also step forward to dip their hands and pick kola as a sign of brotherhood and acceptance into their fold.
Acknowledging the place of culture in the life of a people, Hon. Ikechukwu said it has become pertinent for people to identify with their culture while efforts should be made by the elders in every community to pass from one generation to another, the totality of their ways of life including their norms, customers and traditions for preservation.
He used the opportunity to advise parents of Ibeku extraction to ensure that the Ibeku rich cultural heritage is passed onto the younger generation, insisting that a people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture, is like a tree without roots.
Earlier, during the Iwa ji proper held at Egwu Ibeku in Isieke Ibeku, Umuahia, LGA of Abia State, The Ochiagha Oparaukwu Ibeku, Prince B.B Apugo, in company of Ndi Eze, Chiefs, his son Ikechukwu Apugo (Leader), and eminent Ibeku sons and daughters of Ibeku said it is agreed throughout Ibeku land that the Iwa ji festival be held every 30th August each year.
He maintained that culture is key in the lives of a people, stressing that because of this, the occasion is performed every year to usher in the Iriji proper throughout Ibeku land, calling on Ndi Eze to ensure that they pass on the culture of the land to the next generation.
