Ezza Ezekuna Nation, the eldest clan in Ebonyi State chronology has emphasized the need for her people to become more united in promoting the culture and traditions of their land.
The elders and stakeholders of the clan made the call on Wednesday during the 2023 grand finale of the Okeaku festival at Okpoku Ezekuna in Amana in Ezza South local government area of Ebonyi State.
Okeaku is an agelong socio-cultural festival of Ezza Nation otherwise known as the new Yam celebration marking the beginning of the new year for her people.
The governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Nwifuru who honoured the event expressed gratitude over the commemoration of the Okeaku festival this year.
Nwifuru described the Ezza people as a united lineage who had exemplified a genuine passion for upholding their culture of peace, love and brotherhood in their land and the state at large.
The governor represented by the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Chief Moses Odunwa said: "Okuaku from different speeches made by your elders signifies oneness, this means a tripod of peace, love and brotherhood.
"The essence of this event is every Ezza man and woman should preach peace, and unity and throw our weight behind the government to ensure the progress of our dear state because according to your elders, we should forget the past and make progress to the glory of God!"
On his part, the Ebonyi Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr Jude Okpor described the Okeaku festival as an annual event which champions peace, unity and progress of the Ezza Nation.
Okpor who is an illustrious son of the Ezza clan pointed out that the ceremony has largely fostered unity among his people regardless of their political affiliations, calling for its sustenance.
"Let's continue to unite and promote our cultural heritage no matter what seemed to be our challenges in the past because the new administration of the state has come to give us hope."
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Oguzor Offia Nwali commended the peaceful atmosphere that trailed the new yam festivity and called the people of the Ezza clan to continue to throw their weight behind peacebuilding in their various communities and state at large.
"This is a day we usually preach peace and we can see how this occasion unites our people regardless of political parties, and any class one belongs to in the society. We should continue to be united and support the new administration to develop our dear state."
Other stakeholders including Humphrey Nwobashi representing Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, a member of Ebonyi State House of Assembly - Friday Ogbuewu, and Ezza South Council Chairman, Mrs Euphemia Nwali, highlighted the significance of the event which according to them remains a symbolic tripod of peace, love and brotherhood in Ezza nation and her neighbourhood.
The event was honoured by different custodians of culture and traditions, government functionaries and other stakeholders cutting across academic, business, political and religious classes. Cultural concerts, music troops, donations and exchanges of gifts together were among the highlights of the event.
