By Akuma Ebere
Umudioka, Dunukofia LGA, Anambra State, recently came alive with its Mkpikpa Festival, a celebration of Igbo culture and tradition.
The event, held at the Umudioka civic center, drew a diverse crowd, including Ezedioka and his cabinet, Ndi Oba Oji Ana, red cap chiefs, Eze Mkpikpa, community members, Ezebo Elite in the diaspora, local government officials, security agents, friends, and well-wishers from within and outside the state.
In his opening remarks, Chief Dr Uchenna Malobi (Ide Chinemeze), President General of the Umudioka community, welcomed attendees to the epoch-making event.
He emphasized that the festival was a cherished cultural tradition, not a fetishistic practice, marking the end of the farming season and celebrating a successful cultivation.
He said that the community gathered to rejoice as they anticipated a bountiful harvest, embracing the spirit of “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
In a special way, the President General thanked their brothers and sisters in the diaspora, especially their Chairman, Chief Tochukwu Kelvin Agubeze (Agubandieze na Dubai), for sponsoring the event over the years.
After the three-day event, they rounded it off on Sunday with display of different masquerade dances to entertainment.
During the reign of his predecessor, Ichie Engr. Chike Samuel Odoji, the gathering of everyone to pray and rejoice together was introduced, signaling the end of the cultivation period. Since then, the event has been sponsored by their brothers and sisters in the diaspora. This year, 2024, they sponsored it in a special way, leading to the use of their newly renovated civic center as arena for the event. He also thanked all the Umudioka people who attended the event, from Okpulu, the head village, to the last village, as well as their guests, friends, and well-wishers, assuring them of good security throughout the event. Ide Chinemeze appealed to all the people of Umudioka to support them in completing the remaining work at the Civic Center.
The President General of Ezebo Elite in the diaspora, High Chief Tochukwu Kelvin Agubeze (Agubandieze, Mmirienweilo I of Umudioka), on behalf of Ezebo in the diaspora, appreciated everyone for coming and urged the people of Umudioka and Dunukofia at large not to forget their culture and heritage, leaving a good legacy for their upcoming youths to emulate.
The President of Umuada Umudioka, home and abroad, Princess Nneka Chukwunuru (Ada Ejiejemba), one of the daughters of the late Igwe of Umudioka, described the event as a success, emphasizing that it helps maintain their fathers’ heritage and brings back some dying cultures. She thanked the President General of Umudioka in the diaspora and everyone, praying for God’s blessings.
In separate speeches, Chief Ik Oruzi, Hon. Chief Chuks Agubeze, HRH Igwe Onuorah, and Mr Ofoegbu David Maduabuchi explained the event as celebration of the community’s cultural heritage, distinguishing it from idolatry. They expressed joy and relief at the event’s success, offering prayers for good health, long life, wealth, and restoration of lost things for all.
