The Traditional ruler of Okaiuga Alike Autonomous Community,Ohuhu, in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia state,Eze Innocent Nwaigwe,has decried the shabby look of some traditional rulers in the state, calling on the government to help sanitize the traditional institution,so as to restore royalty to it.
Speaking with National Ambassador Reporter in his palace,during the community’s New Yam Festival,Eze Nwaigwe said the way and manner some Royal fathers scamper for keke Napep and mount on Okada, brings shame and disdain to the Ezeship stool, adding that anyone who do not have a means to manage the Ezeship title, should not be made an Eze.
The monarch added that Government should help screen the royal institution and install anyone who would bring integrity, prestige and royalty to the Ezeship stool.
According to him,the traditional institution is suffering from certain mistakes made in the past,where anybody is installed as Eze, without recourse to what the person is doing for a living.
He said since the government cannot make provisions for all the Ezes in the state,they should then allow only those who have a means of survival to mount the stool,so as to avert the shame that is being brought to the institution by people who do not have a tangible means of income but see Ezeship as the only source to get income.
Meanwhile,the royal father disclosed that the new yam festival among other festivals in Igbo land,like the Church Ahia, is highly reverend and would not want to be eroded, stating that the Iriji festival is simply a way of thanking God for giving them a successful harvest.
He said it is very important to show appreciation to God so that He can keep them alive and healthy to witness another harvest season.
Eze Nwaigwe, however, gave reasons why the yam is being celebrated, saying it is the king of all crops in the farm and it is best for appreciating God.
The monarch added that there is no fetish practices associated with the festival as perceived by some people who think sacrifices are done to commemorate the festival, stating categorically as a Knight of John Wesley International, that there is nothing fetish about Iriji festival
The royal father further lamented the outbreak of the covid 19 pandemic,which he said has made this year’s celebration to be done in a low key, revealing that the community also used the event to launch their Local vigilante to help protect laws and order in the locality.
While disclosing how he was able to maintain peace in his community since he came on board as a traditional ruler, said he has been carrying everyone particularly the youth along in his administration, through the unification of Ekeokwuru Youths, empowerment of women/youth, maintaining of peace against all odds, adding that members of a community can only give their support to the Eze in power, when the Eze is able to give a sense of belonging, as well as integrate every one into his administration.
The Monarch said cooperation from community members,is key to community peace and any community that lacks it, will be faced with under development.
Eze Nwaigwe while urging Government to give more credit facilities to farmers as a way of encouraging and empowering the youth to go into Agriculture,stated that the rate of unemployment in Nigeria today is high, because Nigeria youths give less attention to Agriculture due to the capital intensity of the sector and run after few white collar jobs,thereby making the Agric sector to be unproductive.
