It was a moment of celebration for the people of Ugbo Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu state on Saturday as top political leaders in Enugu state led by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi commemorated this year’s Iwa Akwa widely known as Aju festival.
The ‘Aju festival’ which is performed every three years to mark the rite of transition or passage for every male child between the ages of 19 and 21 also known as ‘Iwa Akwa(clothing)’ is the most cherished festival in the life of every Ugbo indigene. It is one of the major cultural landmarks in Awgu Local Government traditional calendar.
The festival saw the attendance of many illustrious sons and daughters of the Ugbo community come out in large numbers to celebrate their sons as they perform their “Iwa Akwa(The rite of passage to attaining manhood).”
The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Ogechukwu Udeagha who welcomed dignitaries from far and near, expressed delight over the age long tradition that has existed for long and still trending even in the society of today.
While thanking the Umu-Ekwa for defying the rain to celebrate the festival, he stated that “the Ugbo community known for its peace, orderliness and brotherliness, has again being demonstrated in today’s event”.
Speaking during the event, the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who witnessed the occasion alongside Governor Ugwuanyi who was represented by his Special Adviser on Information, Barr. Steve Oruruo, member representing Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency, Hon. Dennis Oguerinwa Amadi, Eze O. Eze and others, stated that the long-aged tradition has received thousands and millions of Ugbo men being initiatied into adulthood and has remained since its inception.
Ekweremadu stressed that Ugbo has used the ceremony to achieve a great landmark in terms of development.
“I know this is a period in Ugbo when illustrious sons and daughters come together both within and outside Nigeria to celebrate their sons who have reach the age of adulthood.
“For eighteen years every three years, I have celebrated Aju festival with Ugbo people and I participate in every ceremony the Ugbo people are doing, so I am from Ugbo and I welcome all of you present at this ceremony and wish that God will take you back home to your various destinations safety.
“We thank God for the land of Ugbo today. Ugbo was not like this in the past twenty years but today Ugbo has electricity, good roads, water, schools, lake and other things and I pray for God’s guidance upon this children. Let God see them through in life so they will be influential in the society and become great people who will also marry and have their own children.
“I urge you all to hold firm your strength and zeal, so that when you go back to your base, you can be able to tell people about your tradition and be proud of it anywhere, anytime.
“Despite the modernization in Ugbo today, am so happy that in Ugbo we still remember the culture and tradition and I pray that our culture and traditions will never die.“
The Senator also commended the Deputy Minority leader of the House of Rep. Hon. Toby Okechukwu for the development he has brought so far in the land of Ugbo and prayed God to continue to strengthen him the more.
In the same spirit, Okechukwu who represents Aninri/Awgu/Orji River federal constituency also congratulated the celebrants whom he welcomed with some words of admonition.
Dishing out words of advice to the young men, he urged them to be bravery just like they demonstrated in the event even as the rain could not stop their enthusiasm for the festival.
“I must commend your braveness and the strength you have demonstrated in today’s event. I have seen the enthusiasm and eagerness which even the rain couldn’t stop.
“This is a time of transition of young men of Ugbo into manhood and this is a time when he can be held responsible for any crime he commits that is against the law. It is a time also when he will start paying taxes and contributing to the growth and development of the community.
“These are the bravery men of Ugbo, they are the ones who will protect the people from any form of attack from the outside community.
“This is the reason why in the first day, they are initiated and the second day, they are taken round the village to interrogate the geopolitical entity called Ugbo.
“In time past, they are led to the various boundaries to show them the lands and demarcation from various community so.
He also appreciated the doggedness of all the dignitaries including stakeholders from the zones present at the occasion who defied the rain, stating that this has shown the love they have for Ugbo people and “it won’t be taken for granted.”
Earlier at the occasion, the Chairman organizing committee of the Aju festival and national publicity secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, appreciated all the guest for honouring the invitation and prayed that Aju festival remain and observed every three years.
He also thanked those who in one way or the other contributed in the realization of the event, praying God to lead them to their various destinations.
Ugamatv reports that this year’s festival saw the initiation of over 20 boys from the three clans which make up Ugbo known as Ugbonabor, Ugbokpara and Ngeneugbo under the age grade name of Ifechukwu.
