It was jubilation galore at Njaba LGA as the various autonomous communities in the area converged on Njaba Council headquarters Nnenasa to celebrate the grande finale of their 2026 Owu cultural festival.
The epoch making event organized by a sociocultural organization in the area, Njaba United Voice was witnessed by Traditional Rulers, Political, Community, Religious leaders,sons and daughters of Njaba home and abroad and friends of the LGA.
Addressing the jubilant crowd the Executive Chairman of the local government, Chief Vitalis Obi, Etiokwe,expressed happiness that people of Njaba could again gather as one family to celebrate after a period of disruption by insecurity and stated that Owu in Njabaland is a symbol of unity ,peace, gratitude and productivity.
Chief Vitalis Obi said that more efforts will be geared towards developing the festival to an international standard and solicited the cooperation of good spirited individuals in the area to actualize this.
The Council Chairman enjoined sons and daughters of Njaba in the diaspora to always identify with the people, invest at home and contribute to the development of the area
Chief Obi thanked the State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma for creating the enabling environment for the people to begin to revive their cultural festivals and commended the organizers of the event for their good work.
He counseled people of the area to embrace self help development spirit, peaceful coexistence and to uphold those cultures that unite them.
Declaring the ceremony open the Traditional Ruler of Nkume Ancient Kingdom and Chairman Njaba LGA Council of Traditional Rulers Eze A N Onyeka stated that Owu cultural festival assists Ndigbo in their traditional calendar, “Igu afor”, and and advised the younger generation to always celebrate the festival according to rules and regulations as handed over by the forefathers and not to let it snowball into an instrument of warfare.
Eze Onyeka thanked the State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma and the Njaba Council Chairman Chief Vitalis Obi Etiokwe for restoring security and sanity to the area and promised that Traditional Rulers in Njaba would assist in developing and showcasing the rich cultural festival to the outside world.
In their separate speeches, the member representing Njaba State Constituency in the State House of Assembly Chief Ozioma Worship Ebonine, the Leader of Njaba Legislative Council Hon.Abana Ibenjo and the immediate past Sole Administration of the Council Hon Obikaeze Anaemem described the event as a step in the right direction to move Njaba forward.
They commended the organizers led by the Chief Whip of the legislative council Hon Lebechi Odinaka, Chief Damian Ezeji and other members of Njaba United Voice for the success of the event.
The festival featured performances by Okorosha masquerades, cultural carnival, special dances by Nde Isi-owu and personalities including the Council Chairman Chief Vitalis Obi Etiokwe.
