Eze Maduagwu cuts the new yam.
THE United Ịgbo Community (UIC) Rivers and Bayelsa states celebrated their annual new yam festival (Ịrị-Jị) amid pump and pageantry with the coronation of chieftaincy titles to their illustrious sons in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
Celebrating new yam festival is an annual ritual of Ndị-Igbo wherever they reside. It’s an event of Thanksgiving for them to be alive and witness another harvest from their farms.
Addressing Journalist during the ceremony, Evangelist, Comrade Julius Uche Uzoma, President General, United Ịgbo Community (UIC) Rivers and Bayelsa states said the “Ịrị-Jị ceremony is an annual ritual that Ndị-Igbo both home and abroad celebrates every year. It’s significant is to show that we have cultivated in our farm during the farming season, we have harvested bountifully and we are alive.
Recipients of Chieftaincy Titles
”We also use the Ịrị-Jị celebration to thank the Almighty God who has given us the grace to go to our and harvest. It is thing of joy, we give Thanksgiving to the Lord”.
On what UIC has benefited its members, Evengelist Uzom said “The United Ịgbo Community (UIC) Rivers and Bayelsa State have shown capacity, we have brought direction to leadership. We have raised the bar of leadership higher. For these; with genuine intentions we can stand, and you can see it in the faces of all the UIC chapters present here. I can tell you the chapters of UIC are ready to defend the course of UIC both in the public and in the secret.
UIC have come of age because it has existed for over two decades and its still counting. You can see that our unity is not in dispute and is not optional. All of us have resolved to be members, and continually serve the interest of UIC as our only option”.
On his message to the Ịgbo nation Comrade Uzoma opined “What we say as Ndị-Igbo is we are nation blessed by the God Almighty. An I will attest that the hand of God is upon the Ịgbo nation. If we continue to put our trust in God, and do the His wish, in due course the God Almighty will grant us our heart desires.
Julius Uzoma, UIC president addressing journalists
“I advise Ndị-Igbo to be patient, to be calm and in peace with all men, that God Almighty will grant us that desire that our hearts yawned for, because we are sure that with God all things are possible.
On the way forward for UIC the President General of UIC said “The Bible says the path of the just is like a shining light, and it shinneth brighter and brighter onto a perfect end.
“I can’t tell you that three years ago the congress of UIC had was not to be compared with that of last year, last year’s was heavier. Today I begged the Congress, because when I saw the number of overflow here, those that are standing is more than those that are seated.
Bende war dancers thrilling the audience
Speaking on behalf of congress members, Crowned Prince Dr. Alexander Chukwudimma Nwaokeabia; Ejịamatụ̀ Akusịnaịgwe of Ugwuoba; Onyé Ndụ Ndị-Ịgbo N’Ụmuụebule Chapter of United Ịgbo Community (UIC) pledged members commitment, loyalty and support to leadership of UIC.
He eulogized the leadership prowess of the incumbent President General of UIC. He promised personal financial contributions for the hosting of next congress of United Ịgbo Community Rivers and Bayelsa states.
Highlights of the event was coronation of chieftaincy title to five deserving illustrious members of UIC by Eze Adiele Madụagwụ, Eze) Ọnụnáekwuru Ịgbo, Rivers and Bayelsa States.
while coronating the chiefs, Eze Madụagwụ emphasized that due to the ban by the South-East Traditional Rulers’ Council on installation of Eze-Ndịgbo outside Ịgboland that what he was coronating them was Ndị-Ndu Ndịgbo.
He admonished them to be of good character and remain ambassadors of the Ndị-Ịgbo.
Those coronated are, Chief Uzoma Ethel Omagwa Chapter, Chief Dr. Alexander Nwokeabịa, Umuebule Chapter, Chief Prince Chigozie Eze Eleme Eleme and High Chief Zedek Chọba Chapter.
