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| Arrival of some Ohanaeze Ndigbo traditional rulers at the 2014 Igbo Day |
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| President, Solid Women Initiative for Development, Chief Mrs. Queen Ezike welcoming youths | at the occasion in Abuja |
September 29th was the day. A day set aside by the Ohanaeze
Ndigbo to celebrate the existence and history of the Igbos across board. It was
a day that showcased the custom, identity, lineage and tradition of the Igbos. Residents
of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who are of Igbo origin annually converges
on this day to exchange gifts, pleasantries and showcase dancing steps including
cultural values and traditional foods to foster unity among all.
The venue set aside for the 2014 Abuja Ndigbo Day was the
Old Parade Ground, Central Business District (CBD). Far away from the venue,
passers-by could hear and do a bit of nodding of heads to the sonorous sounds dished
out through the local musician. Rumbling the sound speakers were intense Igbo
songs. Nigeria Defence Headquarters which shared a slim boundary with the venue
could not but persevere to accommodate the noise and
honour the day. Despite the
aurora of the festivity, participants were so conscious of likely security
loopholes. From the entrance, the security was water tight, stringent to the
core.
Entering the venue, the Ndigbos both young and old were
dressed in culturally flamboyant attires. The beads were fabulous. While men of
the Ndigbo were in their traditional hats with piece of feather, staffs,
wrapper and nice pairs of shoe, the women were not left out. They were looking
so gorgeous in different arrays of Igbo traditional attires. The beauty was
glamorous and the atmosphere conveyed a typical Ndigbo celebration mood.
As dignitaries were ushered into the venue, they were
welcomed with a loud ovation especially those with traditional titles such as Awha
Eze Agu Omeogo Gburugburu 1. The traditional rulers got applaud with the
notable greeting Igwe….!, for instance,
Eze Odezeani Igwe Ugonabo Neni. Shortly, participants were entertained by the
masquerade which danced around the open ground with so much motivation from its
supporters. To a stranger who experienced the celebration for the first time,
it was a film that should never have ended. Indeed, the cultural display was
gratifying. Like when the Yorubas’ do their Owanbe
where Amala, Ewedu is served, Ndigbo refreshed their guests with varieties of
fruits and local drinks.
Incidentally, Igbo communities in every town in the FCT such
as Jabi, Karu, Nyanya, Maitama, Garki among others, with their leaders all graced
the occasion. Some of the issues emphasised at the gathering by selected
participants includes promoting use of indigenous language at the home front,
investing more at the home town rather than outside the Ndigbo states. Some
also called for equal representation in governance as well as evading
imposition of political aspirants on the people as the 2015 election draws
closer.
President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Abuja, Chief Emeka Mbagha in
an interview with our correspondent, expressed excitement at the success of the
festivity as well as turnouts. Prior to the day of event, Mbagha implored Igbo
residents in the capital territory to suspend trading activities and public
servants to shelve work to commemorate the day. He showed concern on the issue
of insecurity, describing it as a common problem confronting the people but not
restricted to the Ndigbo. He eventually expressed optimism the situation would
be resolved via collective effort.
The HRH Chief Ifeanyi Nwoye, Ogbuefi Nnadobeluako 1 of
Ifitedunu Oyirimmagba of Nyanya described importance of the celebration as
enormous. He said it showcased the identity of the Igbos and what it is made of.
“What the Igbo are celebrating today is pure culture, custom, what to do, what
to eat and what to avoid. Everything being celebrated here is totally Igbo. As
a traditional man, we want to tell the world that everything we do, we do it
for the Igbos,” Stating further, he said, “Ohanaeze is the backbone of the
Igbo. Anything that happens to an Igbo man here in FCT, he runs to the Ohanaeze
so our purpose and aim is to protect the interest of every Igbo person in FCT.”
The Ebubebike of Abia, High Chief Cosmas Okolo said aside
from being a day set aside by the Igbo to celebrate themselves it was also a
day of the new yam festival.
Mazi Paul Nwachukwu described the celebration as a special
day to the Igbo race. “It is to remember their beginning and event that has
evolved in Igbo nation until today. It will enable us to assess and re-assess
all that has happened to the Igbos in the time past.”
Founder, Movement for the Restoration of Igbo People Dignity
and Unity, Archbishop Dr. Chy Oriaku described the occasion as opportunity to
encourage Igbo parents to speak Ndigbo language with their children at home.
She said plans have commenced to come up with measures to inculcate Igbo
language in school curriculums. “If it is enforced, teaching and learning will
be made easy. More so, in occasions like this, we won’t need to speak English
but Igbo.”
Prince Bashiru Osondu Emetumah, Onnanaetirioha One, said the
event came up to preach peaceful coexistence and progress of the Igbo kingdom.
Emetumah who is also a Muslim by religion attributed the survival of the Igbos
to God. He implored Ndigbo to be at
peace with other religion and tribes across the country.
However, President Solid Women Initiative for Development,
Chief Mrs. Queen Ezike was of a bit contrary opinion. She said basically the
Igbo are expected to make money in Abuja or wherever they are and travel back
to the home-town to invest and do more businesses. Based on her argument,
except from show of cultural values, the celebration was a period of re-uniting
the entire Igbo community. She sought the opportunity to showcase purpose of
the organisation, adding that it was established to take care of the less
privilege such as widows, orphans among others.
“Most importantly, whatever we make here, don’t invest all
here in Abuja. Go back to Igbo land and invest your money. That is why Chairman
of Chisco transport has relocated most of its establishment to Igbo land,
especially in Anambra state.”
Chief Daniel Atuonwu restated the importance of the
festivity. He urged every Ndigbo to be in unity in order to better forge a good
front. “We review our activities and see what we have done well, where we fail
to do well, we improve on it. Normally, it is one thing that will bring us
together. There is nothing that will bring us together here in Abuja except
this celebration.”
A resident of Abuja, Chief John Okpor from Abia State said
the entire need for the gathering was to assess progress and achievement of the
Igbo people within the previous year. Based on his position, the celebration,
which was embarked nationwide, promotes unity. “We are doing these things in
remembrance of Igbo day. Every igbo community will come out and display what
they have to offer.”
Another participant who chose to be anonymous noted that the
occasion was, “to bring us together to show unity. I hope for the unity of the
Igbos.” He advised Igbos to continue living in unity with one another and
showcase their talent wherever they found themselves because “Igbos are
hardworking people,” he added.
Mixed
Reaction Greets 2015 Election
As a side attraction, mixed reaction however trailed
candidacy of who occupies the presidential seat come 2015. While some disclosed
that Igbos’ position, ahead of the election was to support the incumbent
administration, others maintained the decision should be from individual Igbo
person. That is, every Ndigbo can vote freely without being persuaded to a
political party or candidate.
Another participant stated that the Igbo enjoyed leadership
of the incumbent administration, thus, President Goodluck Jonathan should be
re-elected into power. “The position of the Igbos is clear. We are fully in
support of Jonathan to continue because he is doing a good work.”
Mazi Nwachukwu joined his voice with others who built their
tent in Jonathan’s camp. The traditional ruler said Ohanaeze Ndigbo is a body
that speaks for the entire Igbo nation “and they have thrown their weight
behind President Goodluck Jonathan Azikwe.” He also took his time to explain
the difference between the Ndigbo and Biafra. According to him, Eze Ndigbo is
the umbrella that unites the Igbo nation while Biafra is like a force used to
actualise the dream of the people. He advised the Igbo race to be more united
if it must realise the dream of its forefathers.
Meanwhile, Eze Nwoye was diplomatic in his style. He said
the cultural group was known for its integrity and act of doing the right
thing. He emphasised that the Ohanaeze stand for the unity of the country and
everything that would foster unity of the nation. Ironically, he threw his
weight to Jonathan. “I Ifeanyi Nwoye, Ogbuefi Nnadobeluako 1 of Ifitedunu Oyirimmagba,
Nyanya put to your notice categorically that this present government is good to
me. For that, I am of the continuation of this present government, come 2015.”
A participant who chose to be anonymous, “I don’t think the
Igbos have a special candidate for the 2015 election to the best of my
knowledge.”
Emetumah during an interview with our correspondent
cautioned against promoting selfish interest to acquire political power at the
detriment of the Ndigbo community.
“Every candidate has its uniqueness, whether Hausa, Igbo or
Yoruba. Anybody that contests should be supported but the Igbos does not have a
favourite candidate now. To me, I advise the Igbos not to force anybody to vote
anyone. The choice is for the people.
“So nobody should use the Igbo position for selfish
interest. At the end of the day, it may not be the way we expect it to be. When
you create enemy for an aspirant and another comes in, you have sold the
destiny of the Ndigbos. Many mortgage hope of other people because of what they
want to gain.”
As for Dr. Oriaku, the Igbos would make a common front for
2015. According to her, “we have leaders who can make decision for the Igbos
and we believe in them, we trust them. We know they will come up with something
reasonable for the Igbos. We are looking for Igbo President if not 2015, but
2019 and we are working towards that already.”
As the event solemnly came to an end, all participants were
of high hope to witness yet another celebration of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo come 2015.
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