Pix by Everest Ezihe.
HRH Eze Charles Chigonum ( Eze Omemma IV of Pearlville School, Avu ancient kingdom) cutting the yam with members of his cabinet marking the beginning of the celebration of the school's 2022 new yam festival while being assisted from the right by HRH Eze G. A. Ezeihekaibee (V) , Ezekwesiri of Umuna - Isiaku and other dignitaries.
It's now obvious that the recent predictions by a few notable African and European scholars that some good Igbo cultural and traditional heritages may go into extinction by the year 2035 will be a mirage after all as Pearlville School, Avu over the weekend gave hope for sustenance and dignifying of the most cherished Iriji Ndi Igbo cultural fiesta.
Cross section of the personalities in attendance.
Last Saturday's cultural exhibitions that include traditional wrestling contests, masquerade display, cultural dances, local trading, flutes blowing, local foods with delicacies and specially tapped palm wine among others was the 4th series in the past four years the Internationally standard all-boarding secondary school located in Owerri West local government area of Imo State has been in the vanguard of promotion, sustenance, and improvement of the great Ibos ethnic origin's cultural and traditional heritages.
The Iriji Cultural rites were presided over by His Royal Highness Eze Charles Chigonum ( Omemma iv of Pearlville School ancient kingdom) and his Ugoeze Chiamaka Bosco Abiahu as well as the Traditional Prime Minister (TPM), Chief Ifeanyi Offor.
However, they were guided by HRH Eze Barr. Gerald Ezeihekaibee (v), Ezekwesiri of Umuna-Isiaku, Eze Ukwu. The clan Head of Umuna Ebenmano and Chairman Ideato North and South Council of Ndieze in Imo State as he added cultural spices to the occasion.
Earlier, Dr. Mrs. Pearl Onukwugha, the President of the School nostalgically thrilled parents and guests who overwhelmingly attended the historic event that took place at the school's open field with her 1987 set of the old girls of Owerri Girls Secondary School, Owerri. They were sagacious with beauty and evidence of good living.
Onukwugha expressed satisfaction with the support and encouragement of parents and other stakeholders of the institution towards the school's commitments to the improvement, promotion, uplifting, and sustenance of Igbo good cultural and traditional heritages.
She lamented that insecurities and civilizations have become a threat to most cultural and traditional heritage while advising the people on the need to jealously guide their culture.
According to her " Pearlville School Avu is one secondary school that has the Igbo Language as one of her core subjects and encourages the students for an excellent writing and speaking of the language" she said.
She thanked Chief Goddy Nnadi of Alaenyi Ogwa for instituting and renewing the school's annual award for the Best Igbo Language Student.
Also speaking, Rev. Fr. Monsignor Innocent Osuagwu, the guest speaker identified the theme festival lecture as " Ekele na Nsopuru" informing that the essence of the cultural festival is to depict the recognition of yam as the king of all agricultural products in Igbo land.
Osuagwu also pointed out that the ceremony in Igbo land is associated with Ahiajoku cultural fiesta which is a period of gratitude and appreciation to God Almighty for His immense contributions to the protection of life, bumper harvest, and provision of the people's needs.
He further stated that the essence of the festival is to inculcate the spirit of appreciation and gratitude in the children insisting that appreciation is the key to healthy living and sustaining relationships.
The revered Catholic Church Cleric advised the students on the need to be respectful to their elders and humanity at large as well as have fear of God in all their endeavors.
Osuagwu further advised them to always jettisoned pride, indiscipline, and arrogance which he insisted as being against Igbo cultural norms and values.
He reiterated the need for the children to always greet and respect their parents and elderly ones as a Hallmark of good moral upbringing.
Adding his voice, Arc. Dr. Victor Onukwugha, the Chairman of the school Governing Board noted his commitment to the upliftment of the cultural and traditional heritage.
Onukwugha commended the staff and management of the school for their efforts in sustaining the program for the past fours and appealed to the State and Federal Governments for their support, assistance, and cooperation on the need for cultural and traditional revival, promotion, and sustenance.
The highlight of the occasion was the cutting and eating of the school's 2022 New Yam by HRH Eze Charles Chigonum, (Eze Omemma IV of Pearlville School, Avu) and members of the cabinet that includes Ugoeze Chiamaka Bosco Abiahu and the Traditional Prime Minister (TPM), Chief Ifeanyi Offor.
Eze Chigonu in his fluently spoken Igbo Language thanked parents and guests for honoring his invitation and passionately appealed to them to support the school in its efforts to build a befitting chapel for God and acquire a school bus for their outing activities.
Eminent personalities graced the occasion that includes Avu Council of Chiefs, Venerable Mike Amadi, Chief and Lolo Goddy Dike, Engr. Celestine Ukeoma, Engr. Dr and Lady Ogechi Ikpemo, High Chief Charles Chigonum, Evang. Emeka Ukanacho, Hon. Ukeje Stanley and Chief and Lolo Romanus Ukaegbu.
Others include Evangelist Kenneth Nwaguma, Reverend Fathers Wilfred Nwachukwu, Callistus Onuoha, Nnaemeka Njezi and Gordian Umejuru among others.
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