Obu Gad, the ancestral home of Ndi Igbo located in Enugwu Aguleri, Anambra East Council Area of Anambra State, hosted the crème de la crème of the Igbo race as the Eze Chukwuemeka Eri of Enugwu Aguleri celebrated this year’s “Olili Obibia Eri” also known as “World Eri Day”.
The festival commemorates the arrival of the progenitor of Igbo race, Eri, the son of Gad, the Son of Jacob at Agbanabo Ezu N’Omabala River, Aguleri before settling on the Aguleri upland.
In commencement of the celebration, Eze Eri, in the early morning of the first Eke day of the eight month of the lunar calendar in company of Ndi Igwe Ajana, cabinet members, Ndi Aguleri and many others went down to the Agbanabo Ezu N’ Omabala to welcome and pray to Eri to keep blessing the Igbo race.
They thanked God for the gift of life and success given to the people of Igbo race and reminded every Igbo person of their root, asking them to remain true to the values of Igbo people.
It was followed by a special prayer offered by the Eze Eri who is reputed as “Akajiovo Igbo” for people that visited the Agbanabo with him as he sprinkled them with holy water.
Upon return to the Obu Gad, Eze Eri prayed against every form of marginalization, intimidation and ills meted on Ndi Igbo.
He reiterated the call for the release of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kalu and cautioned criminal elements who exploit his incarceration to engage in different lawless activities.
Speaking on behalf of all the traditional rulers that attended the festival, the traditional ruler of Eziagulu-Otu Aguleri, Igwe Lawrence Nwofia asked Ndi Igbo to love one another and come together to build a strong Igbo nation.
On his part, the Anambra State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engineer Julius Chukwuemeka, while reminding young people the importance of learning the values and culture of Ndi Igbo, reiterated Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s keen interest to boost the tourism sector in the state by reviving major tourist attractions.
A Nollywood legend and Chairman, Idu Eri Royal Cabinet, Chief Ugezu J. Ugezu said Obu-Gad is the Obi of all Igbo race and asked every Onye Igbo to identify with because it is their home and root.
Other dignitaries who attended the event including the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Kate Omenugha and a high ranking member of Idu Eri Royal Cabinet, Chief Mrs Uju Edochie harped on the need for the preservation of Igbo heritage, language and cultures.
Eze Eri, during the occasion, honoured prominent Igbo sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves in their different fields of endeavor with chieftaincy titles.
Some of the recipients include Ambassador Onyinyechukwu Uwaechia and Princess Divine Nwakoby.
The event also attracted representatives of different African American and diaspora communities who trace their originship to Igboland.
Olili Obibia Eri also featured presentations and payment of homage to the Eze Eri by his subjects, and cultural and masquerade performances.
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