Buhari storms Anambra for Achina Idegwu Day feast
Barring any last minute change of plans, President Muhammadu Buhari will lead some of his Ministers to Achina, Aguata local government area of Anambra state tomorrow being Monday 31st December 2018 for the triennial Idegwu day celebration.
Others to accompany him are the Ministers of power, works and Housing Babatunde Fashola SAN and that of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige.
The host is Governor Willie Obiano, while former Chief of General Staff CGS in Nigeria, Ebitu Ukiwe would be the special guest of honour.
The special hostess of the event would be Hon Eucharia Azodo, representing Aguata federal constituency 1, while Senator Andy Uba representing Anambra South senatorial zone would be the special host.
President General Achina Town Union , Sir Chito Ezeani, Omenuko , a lawyer is the Chief Host while High Chief Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo (Akaekpuchionwa Umuchu) serves as the Chairman of the occasion as would be assisted by Prince Greg Ezechukwu.
The traditional ruler of Achina, Igwe Godwin Nnaemeka Obiora, Eze Idegwu 111 of Achina held the Community’s Ofala festival on Saturday in readiness for the high profile event billed for Monday.
The community held it’s mass return on Friday at the expansive popular Oye market square, with assorted masquerades from far and near in attendance, which caused grid lock in the area.
Speaking Saturday with Odogwublog.com on the Achina Idegwu Day celebration, the Chairman of the organizing committee, Nze Modestus O. Umenzekwe, Onwa Achina said it was all about celebration of the community’s birthday.
Onwa Achina as Nze Umenzekwe is popularly called said further that Idegwu celebration is a period to chart a new cause for the community by professionals, Academia, government representatives and business men based home and abroad as the festival serves as Achina day celebration.
The event which took place every three years in the kingdom, was being considered by the people to now take place every seven (7) years if the Achina community approves the proposal. This according to the Secretary Idegwu Day Planning Committee, Mr Sylvester Umenduka is to make it unique and a must for Achina people to wish to participate by planning ahead of time.
Umenzekwe , Umeduka and other elders of the community, including 84 year old Nze Nnebelam Onyetusionwu who is the custodian of the Idegwu shrine and Igwe Obiora on Friday during the ‘Iti Omu’ Achina Idegwu Egbe Buru Oku, Asoghi Anwuru’ at the market square said there was no fetish act attached to the festival, rather to celebrate the birth of Achina, which was bequeathed to them by their fore fathers.
Special Assistant to Obiano on political matters, Hon Anayo Okpalaeke said the’ iti omu’ and ofala before the event on Friday and Saturday respectively, were to herald the Achina Idegwu festival.
On Sunday, the entire village went to fetch water from the Ezeokolo spring with their calabashes.
All kinds of masquerade paraded in style to herald the Achina Idegwu day celebration with young stars who returned for Christmas enjoying the countryside convivial atmosphere and spirit of brotherhood lacking in the cities.
Details later
