By Ignatius Soroibe.
It was indeed a celebration of culture at its best as the good people of the Umuhu Autonomous community in the Ngor Okpala local government area gathered in grand style to celebrate the 2024 Umuhu cultural festival on Tuesday, 31st December 2024.
This colourful event, which was held at the community central school, Umuhu, commenced with an opening prayer taken by a renowned culture and Arts exponent, Chief Charles Omenka Okata.
In his welcome address, the president general of the Umuhu Autonomous community. Hon Valentine Nwaimo described the cultural festival as an" annual get-together which was re-introduced in 2022 after a prolonged period of disunity to revive our rich cultural heritage as well as fund raising for developmental projects such as fencing of our college, maintenance of our dilapidated primary School building and upgrading Afor Umuhu central market etc."
He thanked the people for "Their patriotism and love for their culture and unity.
In his address, the traditional ruler of the community. His Royal Highness, Eze Basil Anyanwu, went down memory lane to give a brief history of the Umuhu Autonomous community as well as her location. The royal father highlighted Umuhu cultural festivals including "Agu, Ahanjoku, Onwa asana, Ikpo mkpukpo and ike-eye. He described the Umuhu cultural festival "As a unifying factor and a sign of Peaceful co-existence among his people."
In his contribution, the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Sylvester Ekeh, who was visibly elated, described the occasion as"Unique and very successful," pointing out that" As a lover of his people and a philanthropist, st, he came to support his people."
He corroborated the president general's belief from the sea of people that graced the occasion that, indeed, peace has returned to the community."
Adding his voice, Chief Charles Omenka Okata described the event as"super fine, best of its kind, unique and unbeatable "
While the palace secretary Nze Barrister Samuel Nwankwo described it as" unprecedented, every son and daughter of Umuhu and their friends that are here today are excited, danced, ate, and made merry". We have been having cultural festivals but today's own is very special and unprecedented."
Chief Chris Onu, the traditional prime minister one and two of the community, saw the event as "symbolizing the return of peace to the community and something to glorify God".
Chief Anselem Okorie Onu described the event as "a sign of good things to come "
While Engr. Henry Ezedike and his amiable wife described the occasion as "a confirmation that peace has returned to the community judging by the heavy
turnout of Umuhu people and their friends."
A former chief press secretary to a one-time governor of Imo State, Chief Henry Ekpe, who is also an illustrious son of the community and Editor-in-chief of a popular newspaper based in Owerri, described the event as "A wonderful event ". We are celebrating our culture on this last day of 2024. According to him "We are here today with our wives, our children and our friends from all walks of life, we did this celebration last year but there is an improvement in this one, by the grace of God, if we are going to be alive till next year, it is going to be bigger and higher than what we are seeing now"
Reacting to a question about the return of peace in his community, he said, "There is crisis everywhere, just like Mr President is facing, there is crisis in churches and families. The only thing is how well you manage it"He believes that the squabbles have been settled, that is why we have this impressive turnout"
An Owerri-based legal luminary, Barrister Charles Okorafor said" For some time we have had hard issues in the community but now it has been resolved and we are starting fresh" As a cohesive unit and entity we believe that subsequently, it is going to be bigger and larger than what we saw now" concluding he said that "homecoming for a lot of people has not been easy because of the economic downturn but for the fact that we can get this number of people, shows that more people will participate if the economy improves."
Meanwhile, the councillor representing Umuhu Ward 9 in Ngor Okpala local government area legislature, Hon Chidinma Okorafor has commended the organizing committee for a job well done and appreciated Umuhu sons and daughters for this" show of oneness and togetherness, she believes that the year 2025 edition will be bigger in terms of the number of Umuhu indigenes and friends that will attend the occasion.
Highlights of the occasion include a cooking competition among the five villages that make up; Umuhu, Umueze,mbutu Okohia, Amankwu, Egbelu, Umuechem and Umuota. Dancing competition by women groups from various villages.
Awards to some deserving sons and daughters and Unveiling of the 2025 Uhu cultural festival flex. By the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Ekenweke and the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Basil Anyanwu.
See you at the UHUFestivall 2025.
