Igwe-Elect of Akama-Oghe Community in Enugu State Chief Onyeka Ofodile, has called aggrieved members of the community, to sheath their swords in the interest of the people.
Ofodile who is Akuewebe 1 of Akama, in a goodwill message to mark the 2023 Iwaji/Higmass festival of the community regretted the “unnecessary tussles” delaying the installation of the new traditional ruler of Akama-Oghe, years after the demise of the last occupant of the throne.
“There had been court and counter court cases allowing the community and individuals to spend their hard earned monies wastefully, and it had led the community to spend over four years without a traditional ruler.
“Nevertheless, by God’s grace, it will count as one of those mountains we have to surmount,” Chief Ofodile counseled.
The Igwe-Elect noted the emergence of new Town Union executive in the community, from an election “conducted seamlessly without any rancour,” and urged the new executive “to remain resolute in bringing development to the community.
“As the Igwe-Elect of the community, I sue for peace and maximum cooperation. We cannot progress as a community if the duo do not exist in and among us.
“Unfortunately, the current situation in Nigeria is biting hard. But there is hope that things will turn around in no distance time. I urge everyone not to give up.
“We are glad that many of us are alive to celebrate this year’s Iwaji/Highmass. We know that there were many that celebrated the previous Iwaji/Highmass with us but not alive today.
“We mourn them and pray that God will give their souls eternal rest.
“However, we are aware that many families have also welcomed new babies after the previous Iwaji/Highmass, we thank God on their behalf and May God’s name be praised.”
He pledged his commitment for the interest and progress of Akama-Oghe community.
Highmass is an annual Christian festival, which began on August 15, 1919, by Fr. Marcel Gradin, which coincided with the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
According to Dr. Dons Eze, the Iwaji (New Yam) festival was introduced in 1978 by the Akama Students and Graduates Association (ASA), to reawaken the forgotten aspect of the Community’s culture.
