Imo: Community sets to celebrate cultural day, new yam festival

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The leadership of Ebenasaa Ozuomee autonomous community in Orsu LGA of Imo State has said that all is set for the 2019 Cultural Day and New Yam festival celebrations of its people.
The event which holds annually in August is organized by the Ebenasaa Progressive Union (EPU) on behalf of the community. The event for this year would hold at, Orie Ebenasaa playground, within the community.
According to a statement issued Tuesday by the President General of the community, High Chief Uzodinma Adirieje, and the Secretary, High Chief Emeka Adimoha noted that, “Ebenasaa is inviting all its sons and daughters all over the world, friend, wellwishers, inlaws, philantropists and government leaders to the event.”
The statement notes that the community would be showcasing its rich and entrapping cultural heritage and the people shall also use the occasion to raise support for their community development projects including the Civic Centre, Market, Boreholes/Water, Security, Asphalting of our internal roads as there is no tarred road in Ebenasaa. Constructions of Bridges to link Ebenasaa with Akwa Ihedi, Lilu and Ezinifite.
The event, would be graced by the traditional ruler of Ebenasaa His Royal Highness, Eze Michael Abanigbo, and other recognized traditional title holders across the state.
The Ebenasaa community will also use the same event to honour a 3rd-term ranking member of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso with the community’s ‘Outstanding Representation and Performance Award’ – an award which the community reserves for only persons who have truly, openly and undisputably performed well in their service to the community and society.
Among the expected special guests are the Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (CON), Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to be represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Deaconess Grace Isu-Gekpe, Country Representative of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Mrs Hassana Alidou, and a host of others.
Ebenasaa Autonomous Community has a root which stemmed from the Iduu kingdom, the original home of the Igbo speaking race about 2000 B.C. and situated in the valley of Anambra and Ezu Rivers now occupied by the modern Aguleri and Umuleri.