All About Uke Day Cultural Fiesta 2018

It was a celebration of unity, peace and progress by the entire people of Uke in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State as the community conferred various traditional titles on its illustrious sons and daughters who had contributed towards the development and peaceful co-existence of the people of the area

The Uke-Day Celebration, organised by Uke Development Union, UDU, commenced with an inter-denominational service conducted by indigenous priests and pastors of the community as directed by the Onitsha chapter President of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International, Gibson Chukwujindu, also featured re-union activities and launching of Uke mini stadium complex among other activities. Altogether, 59 people received various awards on the occasion. Five persons received the Star Platinum award, while 12 received the Star Diamond Award and 23 received the Star Gold just as three others got the Star Progressive Award. Also, three persons received the Star Noble Friends Award, one person got the Star Prestigious Award while five other persons got the Star Posthumous Award. Among the five illustrious sons who received the Star Platinum award were Chukwuemeka Donatus Enendu, immediate past President-General of UDU and Dr. Edwin Emegoako, Medical Director of Crown Hospital, Nkpor, while Sir Victor Agubisi, the incumbent chairman of Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, Onitsha Police Area Command and the former chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Idemili branch, Mr. S.N.S. Eze were among the 23 personalities who received the Star Gold Award.

Also five persons including the late Bishop Vincent Ezeonyia of Aba Catholic Diocese received posthumous awards because of their contributions to humanity. Speaking on the occasion, the President-General of UDU, Ikedi Obi, said that the essence of the ceremony was to recognise those who contributed to the growth and development of the community, adding that he was happy that peace and unity had finally returned in the area, after several years of traditional rulership (Igwe-ship) crisis. *Igwe Agbala, wife and his Ichies Obi therefore appealed to the people to remain peaceful and hardworking to ensure progress of the community. In their separate speeches, the Chairman of Uke Day Planning Committee, Anayochukwu Emmanuel; the Chairman of Uke Day Celebration, Dr. Okafor Ejike Echesiogu and immediate past President-General of UDU, Chief Chukwuemeka Donatus Enendu, noted that the award would spur all the awardees to assist in moving the community forward. Specifically, Enendu advised the people to remain peaceful as according to them, any form of rancour and disagreement would plunge the community back into an endless crisis as witnessed before the emergence of the incumbent traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Charles Agbala who had now restored peace and tranquility in the area. The traditional ruler of Uke, Igwe Agbala, in his brief remarks, insisted that peace has come to stay in the community, even as he warned that at no time would the people compromise the unity and development of the area throughout his reign. Highlight of the occasion included the display of cultural dances by various masquerades including the Ijele, Ugo (Eagle) and Odum (Tiger) masquerades.

Abatete To Modernise Masquerade Festival

Abatete town, one of the numerous communities that make up Idemili North LGA, Anambra State, has said that as from 2019 that, they will modernize the town’s annual masquerade festival popularly known as “Omaliko Festival” to bring it to international standard so that it will attract tourists from all over the world.

They also commended Governor Willie Obiano for his achievements, especially in the area maintenance of security in the state, noting that peace and tranquility during the festival was as a result of Governor’s achievement on security.

Disclosing this to journalists during the end of this year 2018 edition of the festival held in the town last Sunday, Chief Moses Chukwuka, the President General of Abatete Development Organisation (ADO), said that it was the intention of the town to broaden the festival by moving it to bigger venue to contain more masquerades, spectators as well as add new innovations to showcase the town’s rich cultural heritage to the outside world for it to attract international tourists.

He added that they intend to bring the festival to standard as obtained in Brazil, England, Japan, America, Germany and other cities to bring the town and Anambra State in the world tourism map.

On much held belief that the festival is fetish, Chukwuka stated that the festival is no longer as it used to be during the olden days but that a lot of reforms have been done on it as anything concerning fetish practices has been removed, adding that the essence of celebrating the festival is for the promotion of the town’s rich culture.

Source: Independent Newspaper.

Obi of Onitsha Advocates End To OSU Caste System

The Osu caste system is an ancient practice common to the Igbo tribe in the eastern part of Nigeria. This practice discriminates against people who are termed inferior because they have been dedicated to the deities of the land.
In some other Igbo cultures, the Osu are people who have been ostracised because they disobeyed the orders of the king and hence are banished.

But this practice was very common when the Igbos worshipped deities and divinations from its priests.

The people who were termed ‘Osu’ were mistreated and publicly humiliated this resulted in some leaving the country. In some instances, children were disowned by their parents for bringing home and getting married to an “Osu.”
Ever since modernisation and westernisation was introduced, there have been moves to abolish this practice but it the stigmatisation still remains.
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has raised the matter again and has stated that it is time to end the Osu caste system in Igboland.
He stated that the practice was outdated and has no place in the present century. He also advised other traditional rulers to work towards ending the practice.
The Obi of Onitsha stated: “There is the need for people from all parts of Igbo land to come together and agree that this obnoxious cultural practice, which our forefathers introduced, no longer have an effect on us and our children.
“We are happy with the coming of IFETACSIOS group on this project and we are going to collaborate with them to ensure we end this bad culture that has held our people backwards for many years now.”
The question is can all Igbos accept the abolishment of this practice and embrace the “Osu” members as brothers?
Source: The Guardian NewsPaper.

Also Read => Impact Of Osu System To Oba Community by Ogechukwu Nwakor.