The agrarian community of Issele-Mkpitime in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State, South South Nigeria, was agog on Saturday, October 4, 2025, as the traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Obi Sunday Ubaka Ogboli, Obi of Issele-Mkpitime led the people to celebrate Ine-Aho, an annual cultural festival.
It was an uncommon display of glamour, colours and the uniqueness of Issele-Mkpitime culture and tradition, as Obi Sunday Ogboli, in his full royal apparel, gathered the people in one accord, to appreciate God for sustaining his throne and subjects all through the period of last traditional year and bringing them into the new traditional year.
Sons and Daughters of the community, home and abroad, in a rare display of love and unity came out in their numbers to join the traditional ruler to celebrate the festival.
High Chiefs of the community led by Chief Lawrence Njiokwu, the Iyase of Issele-Mkpitime were exceptional as they performed their traditional allegiance to the king in symbolic loyalty to the Monarch and the throne.
The Ine-Aho, which was the climax of a weeklong activity, commenced with the Obi, accompanied by the Iyase and other High Chiefs, as well as administrative Chiefs of the kingdom under the guidance of the Chief priest from the Royal Palace, processed to Abuano, the centre of the Community, a highly sacred place, where prayers and sacrifices were offered to the Lord God Almighty for his uncommon love and sustenance.
This was followed thereafter, with twenty-one gun salutes on behalf of the king and another twenty-one gun salutes on behalf of the Iyase.
Galvanized by the thunderous explosions of the gun salutes, the community erupted into wide jubilations from the people in all the quarters, signaling the end of the period of fasting and the commencement of the annual feast- Ine-Aho
It was an exciting part of the festival where jubilant teenagers and youths filed into the streets of Issele-Mkpitime with all manners of traditional musical instruments, dancing in processions round the clans and quarters of the town, before converging at the Issele-Mkpitime Royal Palace for the main event, where the King hosted the entire community in the traditional handshake ceremony with the King by the High Chiefs and paying of homage by the administrative Chiefs to mark the climax of the Ine-Aho festival.
The traditional handshake by the High Chiefs and homage by the Administrative Chiefs, was a very colourful and glamorous aspect of the festival, where the traditional chieftains came in from the various quarters, accompanied by their wives, children and other extended family members, friends as well as well-wishes to the Royal Palace.
With the majestic appearance of the King from the inner chamber of the Palace and having been seated on the throne in his full complement, surrounded by the Royal family members, traditional aides and Royal guests, the head of the Onotu Chiefs, Chief Lawrence Njiokwu, iyase of Issele-Mkpitime, took the lead in the traditional handshake.
It was characterized by a unique display of traditional dance steps and acrobatics, with his staff of office and other traditional insignias moved towards the throne, knelt down before the King in loyalty and honour, showing his traditional staff of office to His Royal Majesty who touched it with his own Royal insignia of authority. The king blessed him in acceptance and appreciation of his loyalty and honour.
The iyase then stood up after receiving the royal blessing and made his way back in the same manner he came, dancing all the way to his canopy, where his kinsmen heralded his return with joyful singing and jubilation.
Chief Patrick Okonkwo; the Odogwu, Hon Chief Krees Njiokwuemeni; the Onu-Obi/Isama Oligbo, Chief Benjamin Nwabuzor; the ihama, Chief Fidelis Jigide; the Esogba of Issele-Uku and Chief Victor Isiakwenemgbu, the Oza of Issele-Uku, being members of the Onotu Chieftaincy title holders, also followed the same traditional pattern, as they performed their traditional allegiance to the King, His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Obi Sunday Ubaka Ogboli, Obi of Issele-Mkpitime.
With the conclusion of the traditional handshake by the Onotu Chiefs, His Royal Majesty recessed to the inner royal chamber for about 30 minutes, after which he re-appeared, seated on the throne.
The appearance of the traditional ruler for the third time, kick-started the third segment of the festival. It was another interesting section where the administrative Chiefs (Idime) or honorary chieftaincy title holders, paid their homage and allegiance to the king.
With their traditional insignias of office (Akupe), the chiefs, one after the other, accompanied by their wives, children, and other family members, danced to the throne, knelt down before the king, and presented their insignias of office. The king touched their insignias with his instrument of traditional authority and pronounced blessings upon the chiefs.
Chief A. C. Nwaobi; the Ogwuluzeme and Chief Paul Ngbanwa, were the Chiefs who performed this unique traditional responsibility to the king at the festival.
In a chat with journalists, the traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Agbogidi Obi Sunday Ubaka Ogboli, expressed delight and gratitude, describing the Ine-Aho festival as a huge success. He explained the significance of Ine-Aho and thanked the people of Issele-Mkpitime for their support since his ascension to the throne, even as he urged them to continue working towards peace, unity, and progress of the community.
Other prominent figures, including Chief Lawrence Njiokwu, Chief Patrick Okonkwo, Hon. Chief Krees Njiokwuemeni, Chief Benjamin Nwabuzor, Chief A.C. Nwaobi, and Chief Paul Ngbanwa, also commended the festival’s success, praising God for the peace and unity in the community. They noted that the festival showcased the rich cultural heritage of Issele-Mkpitime and prayed for the king’s continued reign, as well as peace, unity, and progress in the community.
Similarly, Engineer Fidel Onwodi, High Priest Mark Mokwunyem, and other indigenes of Issele-Mkpitime expressed gratitude to God for the festival’s success, describing it as an opportunity for the community to once again unite in peace and work towards a greater Issele-Mkpitime.
