By Chidi Mgbemgasa
As the annual and highly enriching Ike-Ji Arondizuogu Cultural Festival holds on 28 April, 2022, a well respected business mogul, Lord Mayor of Arondizuogu, Triple High Chief (Dr) Innocent Ozoemena Ezuma, says over 3million people both natives of Arondizuogu, friends, well- wishers, in-laws and lovers of culture and tradition will grace the event.
The Lord Mayor of Arondizuogu disclosed this when he spoke to journalists during the ritual fixing of date for Ike- Ji Arondizuogu Cultural Festival, held at the Village Square (Ngwu Tree which has stayed hundreds of years), Ndianichie Ulo,in Ideato North local government area, Imo State, on Thursday.
He stated that the significance of the event was that the community has “successfully interacted with our ancestors and they have graciously given us 28 April 2022 for the hosting of Ike- Ji Arondizuogu Cultural Festival”
“Also, today’s event (fixing of the date of the festival) does not have a particular fixed date. We are directed by the good ancestor, Obi Mazi Iheme-Izuogu who was responsible for the cultural festival across Arondizuogu”,
He noted that many people will return home from across the world to participate in the Ike- Ji festival, which he said, will witness various indigenous masquerades and other cultural displays, including some indigenes of Arondizuogu who will come from England, America and other countries to grace the event.
The philanthropist and illustrious son of Arondizuogu, who is the sponsor of this year’s Ike- Ji Arondizuogu Cultural Festival, stated “Arondizuogu culture is the richest culture in the whole world”
“Any community who abandons its culture and tradition is as good as dead and Igbo must return to its culture and tradition, this way we will progress greatly and live well”.he said
The industrialist, who also holds the traditional title of Nwachinemere, stressed that “the Ike- Ji Arondizuogu has huge economic impact because when people come home for the festival they will beautify their environments, repair their homes or start building new houses among other activities and benefits attached to the festivity”
The Lord Mayor of Arondizuogu, called on all lovers of culture and tradition to endeavor to participate in the April 28 Ike- Ji Arondizuogu Cultural Festival, which he maintained will last 4 or 5 days, assuring that the event will be enriching.
Thanking the Lord Mayor of Arondizuogu for sponsoring the ceremony, with donation of three cows, three rams and fowls, the traditional ruler of Iheme, HRH, Eze Kanu Ndubuisi, prayed for long life and strength by God.