Oforola Autonomous Community, (Ancient kingdom) was agog with eminent personalities from far and near , as the community under their able end dynamic Traditional Ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Kingsley Ajoku, Ola 11 Of Oforola Autonomous Community, held their annual cultural festival called Ihu Uzo with sociocultural activities that charged the atmosphere with merriment and excitement.
Speaking during the event, held at Oforola Central School, Eze Ajoku, described the event as momentous and a Godly festival that showcased the historical identity and cultural heritage of the community
His words; is a well cherished and unique annual cultural festival that brings all the nine communities in Oforola together, our neighboring communities, friends, in-laws and well wishers together
We are here to promote our unique traditions and customs, foster community unity and oneness, preserve our cultural heritage and hand over our cultural heritage and traditions to the younger generation for preservation and continuous promotion.
The essence of this event is to create a healthy room for sound and undiluted -cultural knowledge and understanding of our cultural heritage, create room for tolerance, social cohesion,, artistic expression with music, dance, art, and other creative expressions.
When we gather here, to celebrate Ihu Uzo Festival, is a gathering to appreciate God, the creator of all creatures who blessed our crops, gave us health, protected our lives and land.
This cultural event has showcased our hospitality nature with these heavy presence of outstanding personalities, in-laws and well wishers, it has created room for enhancement of social cohesion with bridges of friendship among villages, our in-laws and well wishers".
Eze Ajoku, who described the 2025 Ihu Uzo Festival as a huge success with presence of eminent personalities also rated the organisers high,stating they did their best to make it huge success.
Traditional rulers present included HRH Ejimogu of Anunu 1 of Umuanunu, Autonomous Community in Obinze , HRH Eze Amadi of Okolochi Autonomous community, Eze Ejiogu of Orogwe Autonomous community, HRH Eze Ekeocha, Ola Nma 1 of Ola Ukwu Autonomous community and other's too numerous to mention, it also the president General of Avu Autonomous community, who represented their traditional ruler and other eminent personalities.
Commenting on the program during his opening remarks, HRH Eze Ekeocha explained that is not a fetish festival, saying; "is a celebration that proves how parents are doing well in farming and are capable to feed their children"
Going back to memory lane, he explained it was not an elaborate event in the past, but now development has taken it to a higher dimension as an elaborate public event.
In the words of Elder Emmanuel Okorie, "the people of Oforola Mbam, Itoli, joined hands and in the past to abolish the fetish practices associated with the festival and handed it over to God, saying; " we now pray to God to bless our crops, the labour of our hands, we no longer consult any deity, Ihe Uzo Festival means open door, breakthrough and divine favours."
Adding his words; the Imo State House of Assembly Member for Owerri West State Constituency and Majority Leader of the House, Rt.Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, rated the event high and called for cultural revival and sustenance, to avoid lost of cultural identity and heritage.
It attracted HRH Eze Ejimogu, Anununu 1 of Umuanunu Autonomous Community,
HRH Paul Unanwa, Ugochinyere 2 of Okwukwu, the traditional ruler of Orogwe, the traditional ruler of Okolochi Autonomous community, the President General of Avu Autonomous community
who represented the Eze and others too numerous to mention...
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Chairman; organising committee IHU UZO 2025 Chidube Eke, thanked all and sundry who contributed in one way or the other to make the event a huge success..
The age grade and villages present are Citizen Age group, golden age, Umuadu Village, Ike Ola, Age Grade, Umuezuoke Village, Umumka village, Umuimika, youth Association, Royal Big Brothers social club Association, Umueke Youth, Association, Amaku Youth, Great people's club, Omega Youth club and Quality youth club
Others are; Amaji Youth club, AMAKU VILLAGE, Ude ola youth club, Supreme youth club, True Brothers club Oboagwa youth Club, Ivory Age Grade,Umuagubiam youth Association
Umuagubiam General Assembly Umuogide Youth Association, Mezieola Youth, Leaders Youth Club, Umuogide Village and the cabinet members.
High point was presentation of farm produce, yam and vegetables for the Festival presentation of kola nut and declaration prayers for peace and b progress as well as against any form of evil in the land