…Confers Award On Many
By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
In defiance of a High Court injunction, baring Igbo residents in Cross River State from celebrating their annual cultural day, a faction of the leadership of Igbo residents in Saturday, December 10, celebrated the cultural day with pomp and pageantry in Calabar, the state capital.
The occasion was also used to confer awards of honour on illustrious Igbo sons, in recognition to thier selfless service and numerous contributions towards the development of mankind and society.
The recipients of the award include: Chief Dr. Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma, CON, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of 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.
The 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; but unfortunately, a festering 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; even as all moves to resolve the crisis has failed.
This leadership crisis led to a faction, led by Prince Atulomah to approach the court, asking to be recognized as the authentic President of Igbo Community in 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 in 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; and presided over by Hon. Justice Elais O. Abua, restrained the defendants from holding any event in Calabar.
Not perturbed by the development, the defending faction went ahead to celebrate the Cultural Day, in spite of the injunction, which attracted many from all nooks and crannies, who joined their kinsmen in celebrating the annual festival, which is like an annual ritual to any typical igbo man.
They celebrated the event with pomo and pageantry, appearing in different traditional Igbo attires and full regalias.
The Barrister Kingsley Kalu-led executives of the Igbo community in Calabar, never left any stone unturned and joyfully went on with the celebration.
The event brought together those who align with the Kingsley Kalu faction.
Captains of industries, business tycoons, chiefs, Nze Na Di Ozos, academia, children, men and women of substance, top politicians like the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, for Cross State, Ogar Osim, as well as the LP candidate for Cross River South senatorial district, Rt. Hon. Daniel Asuquo; as well as the cremé-de-la-cremé of the society were all in attendance to grace the ceremony.
The ceremony, which took place at the Cross River State Management Development Institute, Mary Slessor Avenue Calabar, also witnessed the 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, the chairman of the event, Chief Chukwuemeka Ambrose Egwuonwu, Ochubaradikeohia II, charged all to pursue peace as prescribed by the Holy Bible, where christians were admonished to purse peace with all men 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 divine providence, before commencing the eating of yam harvested from individual farms.
He said, “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.”
He invited the gods to grant Igbo people fortune at all times.
Earlier, the factional President, Barr 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.
He said, “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.”
The landlord, the Muri Munene of Efut, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Itam Hogan Itam, who was represented by the 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 have also concluded plans to put up an ultramodern community house and civic center in the state capital.
They stressed 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.
The traditional ruler lauded the Ezeigbo of Cross River State 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.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Egwuonwu, lauded the recipients of awards of honour for their numerous contributions and selfless service to the Igbo people in state.
He said, “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, adding, “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 drought.”
He urged the Igbos living in Cross River State to always be peaceful with one another, “especially with our landlord communities,” as he declared the event open.
The occasion recorded the presence of Rt. Hon. Ausquo, Comrade Ogar and the governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bassey Otu, who was represented by one of Governor 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 associations 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 (Agunechemba), who used the opportunity to wish them success as the celebration goes on.
