Iriji Mbaise Cultural Festival Holds on 16th of August 2022
Contrary to speculations and innuendos by the so-called stakeholders of Mbaise that the age-long annual Iriji Festival to thank God for a bountiful harvest will not hold this year, 2022, is false and misleading.
No one man or individual has the right to coerce or force any man in Mbaise to participate in the Iriji festival and on the other hand, no one has the right to stop another from thanking his Chi for a good harvest.
In the light of the above, the Council of Traditional Rulers in the 3 Local Government Area that make up Mbaise namely: HRH, Eze O.B Nwokocha, the Umara III of Adakan Amumara Ezinihite Mbaise, HRH, Eze J.D Nwaturuocha,Eze Udo v of Nguru Nwekeoha of Abor Mbaise and HRH, Eze Sabinus Nwaneche,Ogwu 1 of Ogwuama of Ahiazu Mbaise have met with other traditional rulers in the 3 Local Government Area and also the Ezejis in the 3 L.G.A of Mbaise to resolve as follows:
The Iri Ji Mbaise festival shall hold as originally scheduled. People should stay quietly in their homes on Monday, 15th of August 2022 to thank their Chi and eat the new yam.
On Tuesday, 16th August, 2022 there shall be a cultural carnival/Iri Ji Mbaise Festival at Town School Itu, Ezinihite Mbaise.
The Iri Ji Cultural Festival on Tuesday 16th of August, 2022 will be coordinated by the Traditional Rulers across the autonomous Communities in Mbaise and titled Ezejis in Mbaise
Mbaise with more than 90 autonomous communities and Ezes have not mandated any one to cancel this age-long traditional festival.
Imo State Government recognize only 27 LGA Chairmen, 3 Zonal Chairmen and 1 State Chairman for Council of Traditional Institution and community policing in Imo State.
The good people of Mbaise appreciate the effort of His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma and Security agencies in Imo State for reducing to the bearest minimum the level of insecurity in Imo State. This has resulted in peaceful Christmas celebration in 2021 in Mbaise and elsewhere in Imo State. Also, on the 1st of Janujary, 2022, Ezinitte Mbaise hosted a peaceful Oji Ezinihitte without rancour or bridge of public peace. In the same vein, Iriji Mbaise 2022 shall be held without any security hitches.
We advise any Mbaise son and daughter who has any useful information about any impending break down of law or insecurity to hasten to report to security agencies in Imo State instead of playing politics with our traditional practice.
We commend all the security agencies in Imo State for living up to our bidding of securing lives and property in the State.
We want to thank His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, for flagging off Owerri/Mbaise/Umuahia Road on 26th July,2022 and ensuring that the Owerri and Mbaise axis commences simultaneously to ensure that Mbaise will first hand benefit from the dividends of his good governance.
Signed:
HRH, Eze, Ezeji James Ndubuisi Nnamdi (Mirioma) Durujiaku Ubomaii of Nguru Nweke), Chairman. Ndi Eze Na Ndi Ezeji subcommittee for Iriji Mbaise 2022.
HRH, Eze, Ezeji, Dr. Ifeanyi Uwahem(KSC) Nkwo II of Onicha Nwenkwo, Deputy Chairman.
