Eze Emmanuel Assor urges the people of Ohaji to use the Iri-ji Ohaji Festival to promote unity, culture, and tourism
The Chairman of Ohaji/Egbema Council of Traditional Institution and Community Policing, and traditional ruler of Assa Ancient Kingdom, HRM Eze Emmanuel Uchechukwu N. Assor (KSC, NPOM), has called on the people of Ohaji clan to use the annual Iri-ji Ohaji Festival as a platform to strengthen unity, foster new relationships, and promote cultural heritage and tourism.
Eze Assor made the call during the 2025 Iri-ji Ohaji Cultural Festival held on Saturday at Ohaji District Headquarters, Umuokanne, in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
The royal father praised the people of Ohaji for their commitment to cultural preservation and dedication to community progress, describing the festival as a symbol of gratitude, unity, and heritage.
“Iri-ji is not just a celebration of harvest; it is a reminder of who we are as Ohaji people — richly blessed with culture, wisdom, and resilience,” he said.
He commended Ohaji farmers for their hard work and prayed for a bountiful harvest, while also applauding the festival’s organising committee for their relentless efforts in upholding the dignity of the people.
Performing the traditional “Iwa ji” ritual, Eze Assor thanked God for life and prosperity, assuring that Ohaji land would bless all who partake in the feast.
“Yam is a life saver, an economic sustainer, and a spiritual root crop. In the olden days, every wealthy man had a barn of yams,” he remarked.
The monarch, who also serves as National Secretary of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) and Chairman, Committee on Tradition and Culture, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, clarified that the festival is no longer fetish, noting that it often begins with a church service.
“I am a Knight of the Anglican Church. If it were fetish, I would not eat it,” he said, emphasising that the modern Iri-ji celebration focuses on thanksgiving and cultural pride.
Eze Assor urged the people of Ohaji and the wider Igbo community to revive and preserve their cultural traditions, lamenting that religion has caused many to abandon their roots.
He further encouraged youths to take pride in their heritage, support traditional rulers, and embrace farming as a viable alternative to oil dependency and white-collar employment.
The monarch appealed to government authorities to create an enabling environment for mechanised agriculture, stressing that farming can ensure food security and economic independence for the people.
“People have used religion to wash away culture. We must go back to our roots and uphold what our forefathers taught us,” he concluded.
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