Arrangements are set for the Ine-Aho, an annual cultural and traditional festival of the people of Issele-Mkpitime in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State.
The community is wearing a new look with giant box banners mounted at strategic locations, announcing the festival, and sons and daughters of the community have come in from their various bases to participate in the festival.
The Issele-Mkpitime Royal Palace, the venue of the main event for the festival, has also received a new paint coating on the buildings, with the road leading to the entrance rehabilitated
Speaking with journalists in his palace, the traditional Ruler of Issele-Mkpitime, His Royal Majesty Agbogidi Obi Sunday Ogboli, expressed uncontainable joy over the festival.
“The truth is that this Ine-Aho is my first since my ascension to this throne a year ago. I am excited about it, and from the response of my people, my joy is full.
“Ine-Aho signifies the celebration of the peaceful and successful ending of the old traditional calendar and the beginning of a new traditional calendar. It is our way of appreciating God Almighty for sustaining me on the throne and my people all through last year, as well as for His benevolence in bringing us into the “new year,” the traditional Ruler explained.
Obi Ogboli confirmed that the festival is a non-violent one, saying that it is all about celebration and showing gratitude, even as he extended the Royal Invitation to sons, daughters, and the general public to join him as he celebrates his first Ine-Aho in his reign.
Also speaking, Chief Lawrence Njiokwu, the Iyase of Issele-Mkpitime, said everything has been put in place for a successful and peaceful Ine-Aho. He revealed that the festival has a procedure and that they have been following the process leading to the main festival scheduled for Saturday, October 4.
Chief Njiokwu revealed that in line with the tradition of the people, the Obi have led the people of Issele-Mkpitime into a period of sanctification that will last for five days before the Ine-Aho.
“It started on Wednesday, the 29th of September, and will end in the morning of Saturday, the 4th of October. The end of the period of sanctification signifies the commencement of the Ine-Aho. The festival is always a period of intense joy and celebration for all in our community,” the Iyase, who is the traditional prime minister and head of all High Chiefs, said.
Explaining the procedure for the event, the Isama Issei and the Onu-Obi of Issele-Mkpitime, Hon. Chief Krees Njiokwuemeni, added that the festival is also about showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the people of Issele-Mkpitime.
He revealed that on the morning of Saturday, the Obi will lead his High Chiefs, particularly the Iyase, under the guidance of the High Priest of the Community, to Abunor to offer prayers followed by gunshots announcing the end of the period of sanctification and the commencement of the festival.
According to Hon. Chief Krees Njiokwuemeni, who is the Chairman of the annual festival committee, the second segment of the festival will start by 12 noon, when sons and daughters, as well as guests, are all expected to be at the Palace.
The chiefs of the Kingdom, with their family members, will dance from their quarters to the Palace to pay allegiance to the King through traditional and cultural displays, while the King is seated in his full complement on the throne.
Chief Krees Njiokwuemeni, who is also a former Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, said the High Chiefs will first perform their traditional allegiance, thereafter, the Obi will recess for about 30 minutes, and once he is back on his Royal stool, the adminitrative (“Idime”) Chiefs will perform their homage, with the Ozoma leading.
Njiokwuemeni affirmed that all measures have been put in place to ensure a glorious, seamless, and violence-free festival, saying that the festival is an opportunity to bring members of the community, home and abroad, in unity towards moving Issele-Mkpitime to another level of peace and prosperity.
