By Victor Nwegede
In a vibrant display of culture, unity, and ancestral reverence, Senator Kenneth Emeka Eze, representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, joined thousands of Ezza sons and daughters at Okpoku Ezekunna, Amana, to celebrate the 2025 Okeaku Ezza Festival.
Addressing journalists at the festival ground, Senator Eze described the event as a spiritual and cultural cornerstone of the Ezza Ezekunna people, marking the traditional end of the year and ushering in a new one filled with ancestral blessings.
“This is the culture that unites the true sons of Ezekunna. It marks the end of the year and the beginning of a new one in our traditional calendar. The blessings we receive during this festival are believed to guide our sons and daughters in business, careers, and all aspects of life," he said.
Tracing the festival’s origins, the Senator highlighted the ancestral lineage of Ezekunna, first son of Ekuma — the progenitor of Ezza, Ikwo Noyo, and Izhi Nnodo clans, popularly called Umuekumenyi, noting that Okeaku sets the tone for similar celebrations in neighboring communities in accordance with historical seniority.
Senator Eze commended the massive turnout and the prevailing atmosphere of peace, love, and unity among the Ezza people:
“This celebration is more than a festival; it is a reaffirmation of our identity as a united and forward-looking people. The presence of so many dignitaries underscores the deep cultural respect and solidarity we share.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, Senator Eze expressed profound gratitude to the dignitaries in attendance, particularly Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and his wife, Chief Mrs. Mary-Maudlin Nwifuru, praising their visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to unity and development across Ebonyi State.
Also speaking at the event, Chief Joseph Nwobashi, Member representing Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency, echoed Senator Eze's call for unity and pledged continued support for Governor Nwifuru’s administration.
Both leaders emphasized that the Okeaku Festival remains a vital expression of Ezza Ezekunna identity deeply rooted in ancestral values, communal harmony, and a shared vision for a prosperous future.
