The conviviality and hospitality Oba ebo iteghete community was once known for hence the adages like – Onye bia Oba, Oba abaalu ya, Ife di n’Oba has returned as Oba community in Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State celebrated their Ushiojioku cum Iwa ji/New Yam festival in a grand style.
Both the elderly, middle aged and the young Oba natives testified that such a celebration that lasted for over a week with an atmosphere of happiness, friendliness, brotherliness and hope had not been witnessed for decades in the community which in recent years had always been portrayed in badlight on social media both for justified and unjustified reasons.
Speaking at his palace, Okuzu- mbana Oba, His Majesty Igwe Engr Augustine Chinedu Emelobe (EzeOkpoko II of Oba) who celebrated his first New Yam Festival on the throne of Oba Ebo iteghete kingdom after thanking God for bountiful harvest thanked the people of Oba for demonstrating their acceptance for his kingship during and after the Igweship election and for their massive attendance to identify with him and pay homage on his maiden New Yam festival.
“Ushiojioku is likened to the celebration of the first fruit harvest which leads to Iwa ji. This year’s New Yam Festival lasted for 7 days from 27th of August. Today Oba people celebrated New Yam to thank God for enabling us harvest new yam and other crops.
“For the new Oba agenda, you will agree with me that with the help of Anambra State Government there is an improvement in security and we hope it will continue to improve.
“We are resolving many land issues between the individuals and people who sold land multiple times. There have been a lot of engagements. My door is always open. We have set up different committees, Peace councils and from now you will be seeing some improvement in the way Oba community is seen outside Oba, within Anambra and Nigeria.
“We have also engaged our youths and various stakeholders to understand the root causes of the challenges we have. I believe strongly in dialogue in conflict resolution. Gradually, we are coming to a point we can trust each other including those resident in Oba but indigenes from other states. I assure you that beginning from now you will not hear or see Oba in a negative way by the grace of God.
Moreover, EzeOkpoko II of Oba after thanking God for bountiful harvest, appreciated the Onowu of Oba, Chief Boniface Onyeka and all the cabinet chiefs, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Igwe Pharm. Alex Uzo Onyido of Ogidi community who graced the maiden new yam festival and the entire Oba people who turned out en masse to pay homage to their new traditional ruler, praying God to bless them and take Oba to greater and enviable heights where it would be setting the pace for other communities to follow and emulate.
According to the Chairman of Culture, Custom and Traditions in Oba, Chief Samuel Emeka Onuchukwu (Ichie Ifedinoba), we started Ushiojioku on August 27 and observed it according to our customs and tradition in Oba.
“August 27 was Ushiojioku ji (Yam), August 28 was Ushiojioku Ede(cocoayam), August 29 was Ushiojioku mkpulu osisi(fruits), August 30 was Ushiojioku ichiche na nghiholo(spirits of the land), August 31 was Alo idi for Ozo idi title holders. Then after four market days comes up the climax of celebrating the cutting and eating of the New Yam by the Traditional Ruler and in extension the whole of Oba people.
“In the olden days Ushiojioku use to be a festival for pagans before eating of new yam while on the other hand Christians celebrate first fruit harvest. Now both pagans and Christians have understood that Ushiojioku and first fruit is one and the same thing.
“Our Igwe is a minister of God. Any tradition that is not against the word of God is a good tradition. Jesus Christ which we talk about, at his death Joseph of Arimathea demanded for his corpse and wrapped him in linen clothes to bury him according to Jewish tradition hence the reason for Ikpu akwa in Igbo land (coming with or presenting cloth for burial) a significance of one’s closeness to the deceased.
“EzeOkpoko II is a leader indeed not a ruler. He has come to fix and repair Oba in the fear of God so that people will be law abiding and live in peace and harmony. I pray God to grant him more wisdom, good health and long life,” Onuchukwu said.
Also, President General Emeritus and External Affairs Chairman, Rev. Chris Emelie described the magnitude and turn up at the new yam festival as a pre test of the new Igwe’s Ofala billed for January 2026, adding that God’s hand has located Oba community by the emergence of His Majesty Igwe Engr. Augustine Chinedu Emelobe as the EzeOkpoko II.
“All the negative things they are saying Oba people did are most times perpetrated by those who infiltrated Oba community within the past six to seven years Oba had no traditional ruler.
“Now everything is changing in Oba, our Igwe is a man of vision and purpose. He is making true his manifestos. He has hit the ground running establishing over thirty operational committees that are working towards the development of Oba people and community.
“Oba people love and support him – Igwe Obazuluchie, Onyilingugba. He won the Igweship election twice with over 94 percent of total vote cast. He is always in the forefront that is why we call him Okaaobuluzo and definitely a new Oba which he is championing is possible with Christ,” Emelie said.
Dignitaries present include most Oba Ichies and Chiefs – members of the EzeOkpoko cabinet, House of Representative Member for Idemili North and South, Hon. Harris Uche Okonkwo, Labour Party Anambra Governorship Aspirant, Chief George Moghalu, Elder Onyema Ugwunze, APGA 2023 House of Representatives Aspirant Chief Ikenna Iyiegbu, and Mr. Ebuka Ilokwube (Ojinkatanwudeagu).
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