Ikwo Noyo Clan, under the leadership paddle of Hon. Barr. Sunday Basil Nwankwo as the Executive Chairman, on Friday 2nd August, 2024, witnessed a rocking socio-cultural milestone as the entirety of the Clan; men and women, old and young both at home and in diaspora, converged in a mammoth crowd alongside their invited guests from diverse sectors of life endeavour to celebrate the 2024 annual NNEFIOHA FESTIVAL at Edukwu Noyo, Ekpelu, Ikwo.
The Chief among the invited guests was the first citizen of the State, His Excellency, Rt Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State who applauded the Council Chairman, Barr. Sunday Basil Nwankwo and other leaders of the Clan for upholding the unique cultural heritage of Ikwo Noyo Clan. The Governor who is a son in-law of Ikwo people, congratulated them on this year's Celebration and promised to continue to support legitimate cultural norms to thrive in the State.
The momentous event chaired by His Excellency Chief Martin Nwanchor Elechi, who in his opening remarks, thanked all and sundry, especially the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State for deeming it fit to honour the invitation. He further unveiled the nitty gritties of the NNEFIOHA FESTIVAL, though common among Ikwo Noyo Clan, aligns with other cultural practices or festivals of other neighbouring communities, but has some distinctive traits by which its observers hold in high esteem.
He equally unfolded that the festival is a bridge connecting the ending of the existing year to the beginning of the year to come, during which, all agricultural produce by the people are being conveyed out to the market in order to welcome the newly harvested ones as it ushers in abundance of food for the people.
Chief Elechi enjoined the people, both old and young to embrace agriculture as major tool to fighting against hunger and anger pervading the country.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of the Council, Hon. Barr. Sunday Nwankwo, thanked profoundly, the Executive Governor of the State for his unflinching support and honour towards the people of Ikwo Noyo Clan, especially to have honoured the invitation with his presence. He equally thanked the people of Ikwo Noyo Clan, in-laws, and guests for attending the festival in their numbers.
Barr. Nwankwo highlighted on the essence of the festival as it regards the social-cultural development of Ikwo Noyo Clan. He further thanked the
entirety of Ikwo Noyo Clan for the thrust bestowed on him by reelecting for second term in office, and promised to consolidate on the achievements made in his first tenure.
In their goodwill messages the Speaker Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa, President General of Ikwo Development Union IDU, Elder Dr. Sam. N Egwu, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Stanley Ogbuewu, CEO C. SAGAS Company, Chief Arch. Dr. Christian Asaga Nwali among others, thanked the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State for his inestimable love towards the people of Ikwo Noyo Clan, scripted on the relevance of the festival especially to the social-cultural development of Ikwo Noyo Clan among other things. They equally reiterated the unalloyed support of Ikwo Noyo people to the administration of the Governor.
Highpoints of the event were presentation of gifts by individuals, groups and communities, sharing of yams, cows and other items to Ikwo sonstheir guests and the five principal communities of Unwueka, Alike, Echara, Mgbabu and Okpuitumo.
It was, indeed a reflection of unique cultural practices in the land of Ikwo Noyo, drawing dignitaries from within and outside Ikwo dynasty and the state, having in abundance elders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, town Union Presidents, Ebonyi State Executive Council members, Federal and State Lawmakers, Women, youths and cultural groups whose performance and practices reflected Ikwo Noyo culture and tradition.
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