By Samson Orji
The good people of upe Autonomous Community in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area and their traditional ruler, HRH Eze Joe Okoro last Saturday celebrated their first New Yam Festival (Iri ji).
The event which attracted many traditional rulers from within and outside the state as well as top government officials including the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Soronnadi Njoku, the people were advised to always maintain peace and unity as exhibited in the New yam festival celebration.
Barr Soronnadi Njoku, used the forum to inform the community of the government’s desire to drive home the dividends of democracy due for the rural areas.
He went further to state that the creation of Fourth Tier of government also known as the Community Government Council (CGC) by His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is to enable our traditional rulers (Ndi Eze) to oversee the affairs of their community and ensure proper implementation of government policies as well as to maintain law and order in their areas.
The Chairman of Ngor Okpala Traditional Rulers, Eze Fredrick Nwachukwu had earlier expressed his gratitude to the Governor, whom he said has repositioned the importance of Igbo Culture and encouraged the traditional Rulers to always celebrate it in their various communities.
He commended Eze Joefrey Okoro for marking his first New Yam Festival, calling on others to emulate his exemplary attributes.
In his address, Eze Okoro described the ‘Iri ji upe’ as one of the greatest in Igbo land, adding that his people are good custodians of tradition and will never relent in doing so under his regime.
He however thanked the organizing committee who ensured that the event was successful appreciating all the dignitaries that graced the ceremony.
The event had dignitaries in attendance such as Eze Joel Udonkwo (Ude Kings Electronics), Chief Samuel Anukam and his brother Emmanuel, Theodora Ekwuonye, Barr Pauly Okorie, an educationist from the Federal Ministry of Education and many others.
