Ndume Ibeku Monarch Urges Ndigbo To Uphold Cultural Heritage At IRIJI Festival
UMUAHIA – The paramount ruler of Ndume Ibeku in Umuahia North LGA, Eze Donatus Aguiyi, has called on Ndigbo to always cherish and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.
Speaking to journalists during the 2024 IRIJI Festival of Ndume Okpur Autonomous Community, which comprises of Umuana, Ihie, and Lodu, Eze Aguiyi highlighted that culture represents a people’s identity and should be embraced with love and reconciliation.
He described the IRIJI Festival as a moment for expressing gratitude to God for a successful harvest.
Eze Aguiyi, a Knight in the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, criticized the practice of some youths who celebrate IRIJI with machetes and other dangerous weapons, calling it a foreign and unwelcome trend.
The nonagenarian monarch urged communities to foster peace, which he believes is essential for development.
He also advised parents to encourage their children to speak their native languages and actively participate in cultural practices that foster peace and mutual understanding.
Eze Aguiyi stressed that a strong cultural foundation is crucial for societal and national progress.