By Chiedu Uche Okoye
The ancient kingdom of Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State has celebrated its 2026 Iwaji/Obiora Festival with cultural displays, traditional ceremonies, the conferment of chieftaincy titles and the attendance of prominent traditional rulers, political leaders and other dignitaries. The festival, held at the Obosi Township Stadium on Oct 24, marked the 15th celebration under the reign of the traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, Eze Iweka III, who has continued to champion the preservation of the community’s cultural heritage.
Obosi is renowned for its distinctive cultural festivals, including Agwu, Ito Ogbo and Iwaji/Obiora. While Iwaji marks the traditional ceremony authorising the consumption of new yams, Obiora represents a period of peace during which residents are expected to live harmoniously and uphold the customs of the kingdom. The elaborate decorations at the stadium and the red carpets laid along the approach to the venue underscored the importance attached to the annual celebration.
Addressing the gathering, Igwe Iweka commended Engr. Eric Anyamene for his efforts in addressing the gully erosion affecting the area around Union Secondary School, Obosi, and the Obosi Anti-Cult Police Station Road. He also appealed to residents to stop dumping refuse into drainage channels, construct catchment pits in their compounds and plant trees to help control erosion. The traditional ruler emphasised that collective responsibility was necessary to protect the community from further environmental damage.
The President-General of the Obosi Development Union (ODU), Chimezie Obi, Esq., described the cordial relationship between the traditional palace and the town union as essential to the community’s progress. He maintained that cooperation and unity of purpose between both institutions would strengthen their ability to address challenges and promote sustainable development in Obosi.
A major highlight of the festival was Ikpo Onunu, a traditional ceremony during which Igwe Iweka fed children with pieces of roasted yam dipped in vegetable sauce. The symbolic act underscored the importance of children as the community’s hope for the future and signified the traditional ruler’s approval for residents to begin consuming the new yam harvest.
The event also attracted prominent political figures from different parties. The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, attended the festival with his supporters, whose enthusiastic reception of him generated excitement among the crowd. Other political figures present included Sen. Victor Umeh, Dr. Tony Nwoye, Engr. Eric Anyamene and Obinna Igboebisi, alongside APGA figures Dozie Nwankwo and Ikenna Iyiegbu, as well as Mr. Nnamdi Ifebi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In recognition of their contributions to the development of Obosi, Igwe Iweka conferred traditional chieftaincy titles on three prominent sons of the community. Chief Darlington Okenwa received the title Igiligi Ogu, Augustine Chuks Mgbemena was honoured as Nze Ikuku Oma Obosi, while Prof. Nnamdi Onyire, a professor of medicine, received the title Akadire Obosi.
Earlier, former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, popularly known as Ike Obosi, led members of the Igwe’s cabinet in performing Egwu Igba Uta, a traditional dance accompanied by drumming. Other titled chiefs who participated included Dr. Kandudi Muonagor, Igweoba Obosi; Chief Oguegbu, Ojiudo Obosi; Chief Emenike Mgbemena, Oboli Obosi; Chief Linus Mgbakogu, Attah Obosi; and Chief Mike Onugha, Owulu Obosi.
Other dignitaries at the event included Prof. Epiphany Azinge, the Asagba of Asaba; Lady Justina Anyadiegwu, Chairperson of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board; Prof
Ngozi Chinwe-Ude, former Anambra State Commissioner for Education; Prof. I. O. Ndirika, Provost of Anambra State College of Education, Nsugbe; and APGA chieftain Robinson Mgbakogu, among others.
Chiedu Uche Okoye is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State*
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