ENUGWU AGULERI — The Ancient Iduu Eri Kingdom has inaugurated a high-powered Planning Committee for the 2026 World Eri Festival (Olili Eri) and the Golden Jubilee celebration of its revered monarch, His Majesty Ezedigbo, Ezeora the 34th (XXXIV), Aka Ji Ovo Igbo.
The dual event is set to commemorate the ancestral arrival of Eri, widely regarded as the progenitor of the Igbo people, while also marking the monarch’s 50 years on the throne.
Speaking during the inauguration, His Majesty described the forthcoming celebration as a defining moment in the cultural renaissance of the Igbo nation, urging committee members to embark on a global mobilization of Ndi Igbo and key stakeholders.
“This is not merely a jubilee,” the monarch stated, “but the beginning of a new dimension in the cultural upliftment of the Igbo race, whose ancestral roots are traced to this Kingdom.”
The three-day event is scheduled to take place from November 7 to November 9, 2026, and is expected to attract participants from across Nigeria and the diaspora, including cultural custodians, diplomats, and development partners.
Committee Leadership
The Planning Committee is chaired by High Chief Kingsley Umeh Chibuike, Nnam Odum Na Iduu Eri (Odum Aguata). High Chief (Prof.) Raphael A. Chikwenze, the Palace Secretary (Aka-Eze Eri), will serve as Deputy Chairman, while High Chief Rabbi Ikechukwu Ogugua (Onyishi Nchu Aja Eri) assumes the role of General Secretary.
Programme of Events
Activities lined up for the celebration include:
November 7, 2026: Grand Symposium featuring scholarly discussions on Igbo history, identity, and a book launch.
November 8, 2026: Mass Remembrance Pilgrimage in honour of the progenitors of the Igbo nation.
November 9, 2026: Cultural displays and conferment of chieftaincy titles on distinguished individuals and institutions.
Among dignitaries expected at the event is the Ambassador of Poland to Nigeria, Ambassador Michał Cygan, who recently paid a courtesy visit to the Obu-Gad Palace to strengthen cultural ties with the Kingdom.
Chairman’s Remarks
In his acceptance speech, the Committee Chairman, High Chief Kingsley Umeh Chibuike, pledged a commitment to excellence, transparency, and diligence in delivering a world-class event.
“Our mandate is to organise a celebration that reflects the dignity of the throne and the global relevance of our heritage as the Igbo nation,” he said. “This Golden Jubilee will embody the majesty of our past, the strength of our present, and the promise of our future.”
The committee has commenced work to ensure the successful execution of the historic celebration.
Media and Sponsorship Enquiries
The Palace Secretary
Obu-Gad Palace, Enugwu Aguleri
The Ancient Iduu Eri Kingdom
