BY RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka
It was a display and portrayal of the rich cultural heritage and ancestral symbol of the Igbo nation at the 2023 New Yam festival of Umuoba-Anam in Anambra-East council area where the significance of yam as the king of all crops was reaffirmed.
The atmosphere was tranquil and convivial as indigenes of Umuoba-Anam home and abroad, visitors and lovers of the community converged on the Igwe’s palace to express profound gratitude to God for a bountiful harvest and commencement of another planting season.
Esoteric cum acrobatic performances by masquerades, various cultural dances as well as native music from Ogene groups rend the air as the traditional ruler His Royal Highness Igwe George Obalim Ekwealor did the symbolic cutting of the new yam. People from all walks of life graced the epic occasion.
Aside the expression of heartfelt gratitude and thanksgiving to God for the celebration of the new yam, the occasion also provided veritable platform for recognition and conferment of deserving chieftancy titles to individuals whose antecedents and pedigrees have no blemishes.
Some of such individuals who merited the traditional titles were the President-General of Umueri community Chief Amb. Dr. John Chukwudi Metchie and his amiable lovely wife Chief Mrs. Linda Metchie. While Metchie was conferred “Ife Omambala” traditional title, his wife was crowned with the title of ” Ezi Ogoli Nwanyi” amidst a cheering crowd.
Speaking on why Umueri President-General and his wife were accorded such recognitions, Igwe George Obalim Ekwealor said beside every successful man, there is an intelligent woman who supported her husband with prayers and supplications to God.
Igwe Ekwealor who noted that the role of a good woman in the life of her husband can not be overemphasized, said the title of ” Ezi Ogoli Nwanyi” conferred on Chief Mrs. Linda Metchie meant that the success of her husband in all his endeavours are not unconnected with her supportive nature and encouragements as her husband extended philanthropy to humanity.
Ekwealor also explained that” Ife Omambala ‘ title bestowed on Chief Johnny Metchie is as a result of his personal resolution and commitment to using his resources for the development and upliftment of humanity, adding that the chieftancy title meant that Chief Johnny Metchie has brought Omambala region to limelight.
Reacting to the recognition accorded him and his wife by the traditional ruler of Umuoba-Anam, Chief Metchie maintained that to whom much is given, much is expected. He therefore pledged to do more for the Omambala region from the little resources God has blessed him with.
He equally thanked Igwe Ekwealor and the entire Umuoba-Anam community for finding them worthy of the chieftancy titles.
