Igwe Okezie Celebrates 2025 Asara Festival and 8 Years of recognition

By Ekelaka Magnus.

Asara Festival in Okija, is a remarkable celebration that holds deep cultural significance in Okija.

Okija, is one of the largest community in lhiala local government area in the state with 30 villages. It is blessed with wealthy and influential sons and daughters who practice Aku ruo ulo, (investing back home) to uplift their community. personalities like Dr Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi(Obijackson), Abig Nwankwo, Dozzy Oil, Ofia Fuluego n’ Okija, including osuofia 1 of okija, and other prominent sons and daughters of okija has made a significant effort in transforming the town into a mega city, Despite there towering achievements, they remain humble and committed to preserving the culture and tradition, they have also played a vital roles in the growth and development of the town.

His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnamdi Emeka Okezie (Oka-Ije Okija II) the traditional ruler of okija community celebrated the 2025 Asara Festival and 8 Years On the Throne, has in the meantime declared the festival open by offering special payers for the people of Okija in his palace Umuezedam Ubahu, Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Igwe Nnamdi Emeka however thanked God for preserving his stool after 8 years of receiving the certificate of recognition as the traditional ruler of Okija by the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano and for keeping the community alive to witness this year’s 2025 Festival, He also prayed for long life and prosperity, unity, love, and understanding among communities that made up lhiala local government area, the royal Monarch however appealed to governor Soludo to reconstruct some major roads in Okija that are in bad shape to ease movements of goods and farm produce especially during rainy season.

On his part, an APGA chieftain, Hon Ikem Surplus Ewuzie (Akaeze Okija), who is the Vice-Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Anambra South Senatorial District, led other party faithfuls to pay homage to Igwe Emeka Okezie, he opined that being part of this year’s Asara festival is a fulfilment for him, he expressed satisfaction on the plan and conduct of this year’s Festival, stating that for him he’s very excited to celebrate the Festival with his local community.

Hon. Ikem Surplus in his good will message says “I am happy seeing everyone celebrating the Asara festival both the chiefs and elders including the locals, everybody is happy eating and drinking, dancing and we are enjoying ourselves” his massage further opined that

“our culture will not die, we shall keep doing it and we shall also encourage and support our local leaderships”

Hon. Surplus however in the spirit of the festival prayed for Igwe okezie and his forebearers on the throne, saying that his leadership will bring lasting peace and prosperity, progress and safety in the entire okija community”

In the meantime, the traditional ruler of Obosi Ancient Kingdom and the Chairman of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Chidubem Iweka has felicitated with Igwe Emeka okezie and Okija community on this year’s 2025 Asara Festival and 8 years of Igwe Emeka okezie as the monarch of Okija community, he prayed to God to grant him long life and good health on the throne, according to him, he says that Asara Festival is more than just a celebration— “it is a celebration of life, hard work, It reminds us of the values that bind us together as a people, community resilience, respect for elders, and reverence for the land that sustains us, is a period of unity and brotherliness in okija”

In his good will message, lgwe Chidubem Iweka urged those in diaspora to always make out time to come home during Asara Festival to see and Foster development in the community, he prayed that May this year’s festival brings abundance, peace, and prosperity, May our youths continue to shine. And may our land continue to flourish.

Shortly after the event, Chief George Muoghalu, who is the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the forth-coming November 8th governorship Election in Anambra State has vowed to respect the traditional institutions when elected as governor.

He made this known to newsmen while paying homage to lgwe Emeka Okezie in his palace on the occasion of his celebration of 8 years on the throne as the traditional ruler of Okija ancient kingdom.

Muoghalu who criticized Governor Soludo’s administration, expressed sadness over the disregard and manner the traditional institutions has been violated in this current administration, he however vows to give honour to the traditional institutions,

In his words “What we have now is a situation where the traditional institutions is intimidated, president-generals are intimidated, infact everybody is intimidated, for me having known the power our traditional custodian has, we have to include them in our governance and the running of day to day activities in our various local government” Muoghalu stated.

Subsequently, Hon Barr. Ifeanyi Chudy Muomah, the former member of House of Representatives for Ihiala Federal Constituency and APGA senatorial aspirant for Anambra South Senatorial Bye-Election, also graced the Asara festival.

Barr. Muomah who extended his warmest congratulations and felicitate with Igwe Emeka kezie and the entire okija community on the occasion of this year 2025 Asara festival and 8 years on the throne of the monarch.