Umulewe Community Holds Iri Ji Festival Amid Joy, Annual Empowerment in Grand Style

•••Eze Duru to establish Adult Education for community. 

By ThankGod Emeh… 

The joy of the people of Umulewe autonomous community in Ideato South local government area of Imo state on Saturday, September 2, 2023, knew no bounds as they gathered in a show of immense gratitude to God to celebrate their 2023 New Yam festival.

The Iri Ji (New Yam) festival which took place at the palace of  His Royal Highness Eze Ben Duru doubled as a an annual empowerment programme aimed at encouraging both the needy, widows and industrious indigenes of the community.

At the festival, competition and exhibition of the best yam harvest was conducted where the first, second and third runner up won cash prices of 100 Thousand naira; 50 Thousand naira, and 25 Thousand naira only respectively. The fourth person won 20 Thousand naira while the fifth person went home with 15 Thousand naira only.

According to the Traditional Ruler (the Ononobi ii) of Umulewe community – Eze Ben Duru, the cash price is not aimed at showing off afluence but geared towards encouraging hardwork, goodwill, commitment and prosperity for the members of the community among others whom he described as partners in progress.

Eze Duru however commended the people of Umulewe community for their cooperation over the years on the smooth running of the community and called them to sustain the tempo to usher in more progress.

“I thank God for the gift of life and for His mercies. I appreciate you all for your presence and support”

“This festival have been an agelong culture which concerns and involves all stakeholders and members of our community. … empowerment of widows in our midst is one of my top priorities to support them and pray God to see them through in all the do. May God bless you all and grant you journey mercies”

The Onononbi the ii at the event revealed that he will establish Adult Education Facility in the community where knowledge and innovative initiatives would be more appreciated and shared across all community members with unity of purpose.

He however prayed for the progress of the community in all ramifications while urging them to be good ambassadors of the community wherever they find themselves.

expressing joy winning the competition, the first runner up of the biggest yam exhibition who hails from Umuokorochi village of the community, Mr Chekube Nelson noted that God did not only answered his prayer to be among the best three in the year’s harvest but as the winner.

The first runner up, Chekube Nelson receiving cash prize from Eze Ben Duru

Chekube advised youths to embrace Agriculture stating that it is a rewarding venture as well as the way forward and not a dirty job as wrong perception have it.

The highlight of the occasion was the heralded entry and dance of the monarch round the ceremonial ground, harvest exhibition and presentation of cash prices to the winners and widows among others.

Eze Duru appreciating his dancing mother at the festival…

Women jubilating at the Iri Ji festival…

One of the widows in Umulewe community receiving cash empowerment from Eze Ben Duru.