Isingwa Celebrates 3rd Ubi Day with Pomp
The Palace of HRM Eze Ukonu William Uche, Ph.D, the Eze Udo 11 of Isingwa autonomous community in Isiala Ngwa North local government area of Abia State was agog on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 following the celebration of their 3rd Ubi Day held under the distinguished chairmanship of HRM Eze Okezie Clement Nwokonko, the Ohabike I of Uga Eziama Ntigha autonomous community.
According to the people, the epoch-making celebration prepares them for the farming season every year, which begins at the end of January and lasts till mid February.
This year’s Ubi Day Celebration was unique. It commenced with paying of homage to the traditional ruler of Isingwa autonomous community, HRM Eze Sir Ukaonu William Uche by the men and women of Amaoji Ubi and Abayi Ubi, the council of chiefs and their lolo.
It was spectacular as the people rejoiced, danced as they appreciated their traditional ruler and his lovely wife, Ugoeze Cecilia Uche (Ezinwanyi ji Ulo of Isingwa) with bags of garri, rice, goats, fowls, plantain, yam and other farm produce.
HRM Eze Sir Ukaonu William Uche and his lovely wife, Ugoeze Cecilia Uche thanked the people for their loving kindness and support over the years and prayed God to reward them without end.
Thereafter, a brief praise and worship session was conducted by Rev. Canon Lawrence Ogbonna of St. Thomas Anglican Church, Abayi Isingwa.
He commended the people for gracing the occasion in their numbers stressing that it is a clear indication of existence of peace and unity in the community.
He said that he has never witnessed such a remarkable ceremony before and urged the people to sustain it.
He lauded the remarkable achievements of HRM Eze Sir Ukaonu William Uche in the community adding that God made him the traditional ruler of the community for a special purpose and urged him to continue to live up to expectations.
He thanked God for giving the traditional ruler the wisdom to revive the culture of preparing for the farming season in advance every year adding that it is in line with what is written in the Bible at Genesis Chapter 8:22 and Psalms 126:6.
He said that it is the duty of mankind to sow and reap and urged the people to avail themselves of the opportunity to engage in farming instead of stealing other people’s crops.
At the end of his homily, Rev. Apostle Sampson Anyanwu Nwogu, the Group Apostle of Apostolic Christian Church Mission (ACCM), Amaoji Isingwa prayed for God to continue to bless the traditional ruler with many more years, good health and riches as well as to grant the community fruitful harvest.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, HRM Eze Okezie Clement Nwokonko described HRM Eze Sir Ukaonu William Uche as a rare gem and his very good friend.
He commended him for reviving the Ubi Day Ceremony two years ago and urged the people to support him to continue to witness peace and progress in the community.
He explained that the Ubi Day Celebration is used to remind the people to get ready or prepare themselves for the new farming season.
He described it as a special celebration in Isingwa and urged the people to avail themselves of the golden opportunity to participate effectively in this year’s farming season.
He advised them to avoid trouble, especially shifting of ancient boundaries in a bid to trespass on another man’s land adding that it is a sin against God and a major cause of trouble every farming season.
He wished them a memorable farming season this year and prayed God to bless them with fruitful harvest.
In his welcome address read by his Chief of Staff, Chief Godwin I. Onyendilefu, HRM Eze Sir Ukaonu William Uche thanked God for keeping them alive to celebrate their 3rd Ubi Day as well as all the good things He has done for them.
He appreciated the people for their continued support and prayers leading to peace and progress in the community.
He said that he revived the Ubi Day Celebration to sustain their major occupation-farming handed to them by their fore-fathers among others.
He used the occasion to appreciate the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) for his monumental achievements in Abia State within a very short time in office, especially in the area of construction and rehabilitation of both urban and rural roads.
Thereafter, a renowned educationist and Associate Professor of English, Chief Sir Dr. Uzoma Nwachukwu read the history of Ngwa Land titled, ‘Settlement and Heritage of Ngwa Nation’ as well as the essence of the Ubi Day Celebration on behalf of the traditional ruler, HRM Eze Sir Ukaonu William Uche.
According to the great orator and distinguished lecturer at Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri and K. O. Mbadiwe University, Isiokpo, the Ubi Day Celebration is a rediscovery of their socio-political and cultural heritage.
He said that it is a day of ‘Iba na Ubi’, ‘Iwa Ohia’, ‘Ikpa Oke Ohia’ or ‘Isu Ohia Ubi’ adding that this is the period the three villages namely Amaoji, Abayi and Ahiaba Ubi traditionally and culturally celebrate Obaji and prepare themselves for the new farming season, which begins from ending of January till middle of February each year.
In his speech, the Special Guest of Honour, HRM Eze Okechukwu Atulobi, the Chairman, Isiala Ngwa North Council of Traditional Rulers described HRM Eze Sir Ukaonu William Uche as a quintessential traditional ruler whose positive impact is felt in all aspects of the community.
He said that he is very happy to be associated with him and urged the people to sustain their support for him to ensure continued peace and progress in the community.
HRM Eze Okechukwu Atulobi prayed that God would continue to grant him long life, good health and riches adding that they would gather again for the celebration next year by the grace of God.
Contributing Hon. Tony Otuonye, the immediate past General Manager of Abia State Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSAA) lauded the sterling leadership qualities and remarkable achievements of HRM Eze Sir Ukaonu William Uche and urged other traditional rulers to emulate him.
He said that the people of Isingwa autonomous community are very lucky to have him as their traditional ruler and urged them to continue to support him stressing that their well-being is his utmost priority.
He commended him for reviving the Ubi Day Celebration adding that if the ceremony is done in other parts of Ngwa Land that it would create a veritable avenue for social interaction for them to know themselves and help one another.
He assured HRM Eze Sir Ukaonu William Uche of his continued support to ensure that their history and cultural heritage is showcased beyond the nation and handed to generations to come.
Hon. Tony Otuonye expressed profound gratitude to God for granting him long life and good health and wished him more fruitful years on the throne.
Thereafter, the chieftaincy title of Ahaoma Eji Aga Mba 1 of Isingwa autonomous community was conferred on Bolaji Uzodinma Adekoya, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ladiv Integrated Services in absentia in recognition of his immense contributions to the development of the community and humanity.
Speaking after receiving the prestigious chieftaincy title on his behalf, Chukwuemeka Benjamin commended HRM Eze Sir Ukaonu for the outstanding recognition of his uncle.
He extolled HRM Eze Sir Ukaonu William Uche as an inimitable role model to all and sundry within and outside the community.
He said that the chieftaincy title would spur Bolaji Uzodinma Adekoya to do more for the community and the nation at large.
He prayed God to grant him long life, good health, wisdom and prosperity.
The epoch-making celebration featured presentation of farming tools such as machetes to Ubi men and hoes to the women, empowerment of some indigent youths for agriculture or any kind of trade.
Some of the beneficiaries included Victoria Adiele, Chinkata Onyenso, Ikechukwu Rufus, Uchenna Adiele Mgbelu, Uloma Onynyechi, Chibueze Nduagu, Chimaobi Godwin, Chidiebere Adiele among others while the beneficiaries of Ugoeze Lady Cecilia Uche Girl-Child Empowerment Scheme include Ngozi Sunday, Helen Chizara Iheukwumere, Miss Alozie Chizara and Chiagoziem Ajuzie.
In a vote of thanks, High Chief Christopher Ukandu, the traditional prime minister of Isingwa autonomous community commended the people for turning out in their numbers as well as the chairman of the occasion, HRM Eze O. C. Nwokonko and the Special Guest of Honour/Chairman, Isiala Ngwa North Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Okechukwu Atulobi (Abala Ji Odo 1) for their esteemed presence and solidarity and wished all safe journey back to their various homes.
The ceremony was a huge success and climaxed with a grand reception.
All those present ate, drank and danced to the staccato beats of the Ikoro Drum and Mgbede Dance.
It attracted the presence of so many personalities including Chinyere Nwachukwu, Nze Friday Ajaegbu (Chairman, Isingwa Council of Chiefs), Lolo Nnenna Ehilegbu, Chinemerem Nwaozuru (Isingwa Youth Leader), Madubuike Maduabuchi (Leader, Isingwa Vigilante Group), Rev. Emmanuel Chimezirim Nduaguibe among others.
