By Patrick Ochei
The amiable, cerebral and people’s delight monarch of Issele-Uku Kingdom, HRM Agbogidi Obi Nduka JP (MNSE) was impressed that the traditional new year festivals of the community keep getting better, maintaining that the impressive advancement is as a result of cultural innovation, peaceful coexistence and enormous support of the people.
Obi Nduka stated this while granting interview to journalists after the first *ime uje* and *Inaka* with the Onotu chiefs at the Palace ground on Saturday 7th September, 2024.
He went further to appreciate his subjects for understanding that peace, unity and love for one another are critical elements for human and community development, affirming that the manifestation is so enormous in the transformation agenda for Issele-Uku.
Agbogidi Nduka said, Issele-Uku is synonymous to self help, commending his people for their efforts in building Issele-Uku to an enviable cosmopolitan town.
He admonished them not to get tired irrespective of the fact that the local government area now has a Council Chairman with the compassion of leadership to work in a way that pleases the people.
According to him, “I am pleased at the development that is coming into Issele-Uku and the rest of Aniocha North Local Government Area. Never in history have we witnessed such grassroots development like we are seeing of Aniocha North Local Government Area today, not even when it is believed that local government is the closest government to the people.
“Aside that, Issele-Uku is a blessed community – blessed with quality human resources that have continued to see community development as a task that must always be given attention. At all levels, our people have seen the need for the transformation of our community through self help projects and they have continued to key in, especially those in the Diaspora.
“I also want to specially and specifically appreciate our son who is representing us in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi for what he is doing as a lawmaker. He is a pride to Issele-Uku and we are proud of the progress he is making in terms of lawmaking and representation of the people through projects that are of direct impact bearing on the people.
“Let me say that it has been a wonderful, peaceful and bountiful year for us in Issele-Uku. We commenced our traditional new year festival known as Ine Aho Festival a while ago; it’s a combination of different festive activities and of course, the new yam (Iwaji) is one of such. In days to come, I will personally eat the new yam after every other person has eaten, from children to non titled men and titled men.
“The Ine festival is the climax of the annual new year festival where we showcase our rich cultural and traditional heritage in style. The new yam festival (Iwaji) is part of the annual festival calendar. The original name is *Ine Onyimi* which means festival of joy. Of course, you can see that we are celebrating in funfair, the people are happy and sharing whatever they have in love. We are unique and special as far as our culture is concerned, because we have continued to uphold this heritage which has been in custody of our forebears for centuries, and handed down to us from time to time.
“A lot works in our favour because of our ancestry which is Benin, and of course the cosmopolitan nature of Issele-Uku. Over the years, we have been able to unite and effectively administer all the people that make up our community.
“Let me advise that we should continue to thread on the path of peace, unity and love even as we mark the end of this season and begin another. My prayer is that God will continue to endow us with strength for the planting season and good production in harvest season. It shall continue to be well with Issele-Uku”, Obi Nduka prayed.
This year 2024 edition of Ine festival was awesome. The Committee that did the wonders was headed by Chief (Dr) John Ochei who incidentally led other Olinzeles to perform the Inaka, as Iyase and Oza were unavoidably absent this period.
Chief Ochei who was full of praises to God for the clemency of the weather before the *Ishu Onicha* , ascribed the uniqueness of Ine Ahor Festival to the understanding of who we are as the people of Issele-Uku, our unalloyed reverence to the king and our cooperation and support towards community efforts.
He therefore called on all Issele-Uku sons and daughters to never relent in ensuring that we continue to showcase the identity of who we are to the world through our impeccable culture.
However, one of Issele-Uku illustrious sons, Hon. Engr. Emeka Emmanuel Nwaobi who has continued to feature in most Ine Ahor Festivals in his adult age, was present with his children, friends and aides to pay homage to the king and play his part as a true and bonafide Issele-Uku son.
In his comment, he congratulated the Obi and the people of Issele-Uku as they celebrate their true identity through culture, describing this year’s Ine festival as massively entertaining and peacefully showcased.
As member representing Aniocha North Constituency and Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, he assured that the projects meant for Issele-Uku as the local government headquarters, including that of other communities must be vigorously pursued through lobbying until they become reality.
According to him, several projects are going on simultaneously now in Aniocha North, but in particular reference is the water project in Issele-Uku which has reached an advanced stage of being connected to individual houses.
“I am optimistic that in no distant time, we are going to experience unprecedented development to the glory of God through the MORE Agenda”, he added.h
