AJU FESTIVAL: Ekweremadu, others, present as 400 boys attain adulthood in Enugu Community
It was a moment of celebration for the people of Ugbo community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State on Saturday as top political leaders in Enugu state led by Governor Ugwuanyi celebrated this year’s Aju festival.
The festival also known as Iwa Akwa witnessed a large turnout of Ugbo indigenes as their sons perform their Iwa Akwa “rite of passage to adulthood”.
The festival which is performed every three years covers boys between the ages of 19 to 21 is the most cherished festival in the life of every Ugbo indigene. It is one of the major cultural landmarks in Awgu Local Government traditional calendar in Enugu State.
Speaking during the Festival, the Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who witnessed the occasion along side the Governor of Enugu state highly represented by Barr. Steve Oruruo special Advicer to the Governor on information, member representing Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency Hon Dennis Oguerinwa Amadi, and others stated that the age long tradition has received millions and thousands of Ugbo men been initiatied into adulthood and has remained since its inception .
“I know this is a period in Ugbo when illustrious sons and daughters come together both within and outside Nigeria to celebrate their sons who have reach the age of Adulthood
“For eighteen years every three years, I have celebrated Aju festival with Ugbo people and I participate in every ceremony the Ugbo people are doing , so I am from Ugbo and I welcome all of you present in this ceremony and wish that God will take you back home to your various destinations safety.
“Despite the modernization in Ugbo today, I am so happy that in Ugbo we still remember the culture and tradition and I pray that our culture and traditions will never die.
In same spirit, the Honourable Member representing Aninri/ Awgu/Orji River federal Constituency Hon Toby Okechukwu also congratulated the celebrants whom he welcomed with some bravery words
Dishing out a words of advice to the young men , he urged them to be brave just like they have demonstrated in the day’s event as even the heavy downpour could not stop their enthusiasm.
The Chairman of the Occasion Mr Ogechukwu Udeagha expressed his delight over the age long tradition that has existed in the community for several generations.
Earlier at the occasion, the Chairman Organizing Committee of the Aju festival and National publicity secretary Ohanaeze Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia appreciated all the guest for honouring the invitation and prayed Aju festival to remain and be observed in every three years.
He also thanked those who in one way or the other helped in the realization of the event and prayed the God lord will see them home to their various destinations.
