In what could be described as the aesthetics of cultural
heritage, Umuoji community in Idemili-North council of Anambra state
last Sunday, celebrated its 2014 Uzoiyi festival in a gland style.
This
was even as the Ezenmou Umuoji masquerade marked its 100 years of
existence on earth. Ezenmou, it would be recalled was founded in 1913
but made its first appearance at Enugu, during the official celebration
of the January 14th amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Nigerian
Protectorates.
Perhaps, this 2014 Uzoiyi festival was best of its
kind, as its venue, Umuoji township stadium was crowded with over twenty
thousand people of different caliber and disciplines, from within and
outside Anambra state, comparable only to what is tenable in a-UEFA
Champions league final.
As usual, the Africa’s most senior
masquerade, Ezenmou intrinsic appearance kick-started and closed the
festivity officially even when it was persuaded to wait while the
Traditional Ruler of Umuoji, HRH Igwe Dr. Cyril Enweze was delivering
his opening speech.
It was this great masquerade that obstructed
the King’s speech, made way into the cultural arena, displayed and left
amidst encomium and appraisal from the spectators (participants) despite
the Monarch’s plea, and pleading from the armed Police Officers and
Master’s of Ceremony therein.
Speaking at the occasion, Igwe Dr.
Cyril Enweze posited that Uzoiyi festival is an ancient annual event
whose celebration ushers in raining season, noting that the community
reverence it much as it usually witness mass return of Umuoji people in
Diasporas comparable to Christmas.
Igwe Enweze who poured encomium
on Governor Peter Obi, for transforming all sectors of the state
economy, further extolled the Governor for providing them with skills
acquisition center, health center, and construction of a road that
linked the town with Eke-Abatete, even as he disclosed that Obi break
the record of good stewardship for prompt payment of workers salaries
and for been indebted to nobody.
He therefore, implored Chief
Joe-Martins Uzodike, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and
Tourism who represented the Governor at the occasion to inform him
(Obi) that Umuoji would pay him a courtesy visit soonest because
according to him, Obi left a legacy worthy of emulation.
The
Monarch further pledged unflinching support of the community to the
administration of the incumbent Chairman of Idemili-North Local
Government Area, Hon. Obi Ikem Obi for smooth running of the council
affairs.
See Photos From The Event Below
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