BY NSAN NDOMA-NEJI, CALABAR
Despite an interim injunction by the High Court sitting in Calabar which restrained igbo people from celebrating it’s Cultural day, igbo Community defied the court order and celebrated the cultural day in Calabar on Saturday.
They also used the ceremony to confer award of honour to thier illustrious sons in recognition to thier selfless service and numerous contributions towards the development of mankind and society.
Among the recipients of award includes, Chief Dr. Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma(CON, COE, Innoson Motors, Compt. Sir. Anthony Okechukwu Udenze (Ksm, JP, Dr. Tonna Nwabueze, Sir, Obiora Samuel Oyeka, Chief Chijioke Ugochukwu, High Chief Desmond Oko and Ogbuevi Emmanuel N. Okechukwu,(Ikpe malu Eziokwu of Aguleri).
Others are, Hon Okey Maduekwe, Mr. Nnamdi Madubuko, Dr. Sir Okechukwu Ukweh, Mr. Jeremiah Ezeagu, Mr. Echefuns Nwosu, Chief Engr. Pius Nwankwo and Mr. Festus Mbonu.
Igbo cultural day celebration used to be an annual festival enjoyed by many to thank God for providing them with bountiful harvest where many used to wine and dine together, unfortunately leadership tussle has factionalised the association since June 30, 2022, leading to series of litigations.
One faction is led by Kingsley Kalu, while the other faction is led by Prince Raymond Atulomah both from Abia state just as all moves to resolve the crisis has failed.
Due to crises over who to led the igbo Community in Calabar, a faction of igbo people led by Prince Raymond Atulomah had no option than approached the Court asking that they be recognised as the authentic President of Igbo Community Calabar having contested unopppsed and coming from Abia state where the position was zoned to ab initio just as he also asked the court to restrain the other faction (the defendants) from holding any form of Igbo day in Calabar.
The court had in a ruling on the ex-parte motion with Suit.NO. HC/MSC. 207/2022 between Com. Agu Onyekachi, Raymond Atulomah, David Ihesiulo (claimants) and Sam Ebo, Esq, Elder Bassey Ukiwo, Pol Nwokolo, Jeremiah Ezeagu and Sir. Ebere Okonkwo (defendants), presided by Hon. Justice Elais O. Abua, restrained the defendants from holding any event in Calabar.
Not perturb at the development, igbo Community went ahead to celebrate their Cultural Day which attracted many from all nooks and crannies who joined thier kinsmen in celebrating the annual festival which is like an annual ritual to any typical igbo man. They event went on peacefully in pump and pageantry with those in attendance appearing in thier normal igbo attire and full regalia.
Joyfully, the Barrister Kingsley Kalu led Executives of the Igbo Community in Calabar, never left any stone unturned went on with the celebration.
The event was celebrated in pump and peagentry bringing those who align with the Kingsley Kali faction together.
Captains of industries, business tycoons, Chief, Nze Na Di Ozo, academia, children men and women,of substance top politicians like Labour Party candidate for Cross River South senatorial district , Rt. Hon. Daniel Asuquo, Labour Party Gov’ship Candidate, Ogar Osim as well as cre’me de la creme were all in attendant to grace the ceremony.
The ceremony which took place at the Cross River State Management Development Institute,Mary Slessor Avenue Calabar, also witnessed award of honour to some illustrious sons who had worked tirelessly in thier various fields of human endeavors and delivered selfless service to mankind.
In his welcome remarks chairman of the event, Chief Chukwuemeka Ambrose Egwuonwu Ochubaradikeohia 11 na charged all to pursue peace as prescribed by the Holy Bible where christians were admonished to purse peace at all times.
He said that the essence of the celebration is to thank God for the bountiful harvest which has been given to the people by devine providence before commencing the yam eating harvested from individual farms.
“The Igbo culture demands that it is the traditional rulers or Ezes that should be the ones to officially “Ewa Ji ofor” as it were before sharing it to the members of the public” inviting the “gods” to grant igbo People fortune at all times.
Earlier, the factional President, Igbo Community in Calabar, Barr Kingsley Kalu, while presenting “cola-nut” before the gods prayed for help from above, stressing that as humans people are bound to make mistakes.
He extended gratitude to the government and people of Cross River State for providing enabling environment for igbo people who are predominantly business men and women to function well.
‘We appreciate your financial assistance to the Igbos in the past. We are full of expectations that His Excellency will continue to do more for us”.Kali maintained.
The landlord, the Muri Munene of Efut, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Itam Hogan Itam who was represented by Chairman, Muri Cabinet of Efut Nation, His Royal Highness, Muri Francis Efa, poured libation seeking the acceptance of the cola-nut/drinks presented by the Igbos in Calabar.
In the same vein, Igbo people resident in Calabar also concluded plans to put up an ultramodern community house and civic center in the state capital stressing that it would help reduce the challenges faced whenever the need to gather together arises.
He lauded the peaceful co-existence of the host community with the non Indigenes in the state, calling for peaceful co-existence, team work by the igbo people resident in Calabar stressing that it is the surest way to achieve success.
He lauded the Ezeigbo Cross River State branch for the numerous contributions towards bringing Igbos in the state together and making sure that the state government and non-indigenous population co-exist peacefully without any rancour.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Chukwuemeka A. Egwuonwu (Ochubaradikeoha of Orumba North and South), CEO/MD A.C. Peterson Nig. Ltd, lauded recipients of awards of honour for thier numerous contributions and selfless service to the igbo people in state.
‘We have come as Igbos living in Cross River State to celebrate our culture of “Iriji/Award ceremony which is done annually.
“This event brings us together as one united community and people living together peacefully with our landlord communities.
“It is my prayers that God will see us through peacefully as we celebrate, dance and eat out food in Jesus Name Amen. He prayed that the grace of God shall not depart from Cross River State land. Whatever we do shall prosper. The land shall continue to be fertile always.”
Chief Egwuonwu advised that”in as much as things are becoming so difficult, there is hope. By February 2023, God should have answered our prayers towards salvaging this country from its present wrought.
He urged the Igbos living in Cross River State to always be peaceful with one another especially with our landlord communities as h declared the event open.
The occasion recorded the presence of Rt. Hon. Daniel Ausquo, labour party Senate candidate for Southern senatorial district, Governorship candidate for Labour Party, Comrade Ogar Osim Ogar and the governorship candidate for the All Progressives’Congress (APC), Sen. Bassey Otu, who was represented by one of Gov. Ben Ayade’s Aide, Hon. Timmy Tom.
The five states from the South East Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo came with their members as they sang, danced and shared their food and drinks in joyful moods.
Some of the communities captured include, Ideato Cultural and Welfare Association, Nzuko Ndi Abia, Ogbako Anambra, Nzuko Ndi Imo and Orsu Welfare Association amongst others.
Present at the occasion were the President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Cross River State, High Chief, Festus Odoemena (Agunecheibe) who used the opportunity to wish them success as the celebration goes on.
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