Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
Senator Kenneth Emeka Eze, representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, on Thursday, joined thousands of Ezza sons and daughters at Okpoku Ezekunna, Amana, to mark the 2025 Okeaku Ezza Festival.
Governor Francis Nwifuru was present at the festival and urged Ezza people to sustain the love and unity that radiates among them.
Addressing journalists at the festival ground, Senator Eze described Okeaku as a spiritual and cultural cornerstone of the Ezza Ezekunna people.
The festival, he noted, traditionally signifies the end of the year and the beginning of another ushering in ancestral blessings and guidance for the coming season.
“This is the culture that unites the true sons of Ezekunna,” Eze stated. “It marks the end of the year and the beginning of a new one in our traditional calendar. The blessings we receive during this festival are believed to guide our sons and daughters in business, careers, and all aspects of life.”
Tracing the origins of the Okeaku Festival, Senator Eze referenced the ancestral lineage of Ezekunna, first son of Ekuma the progenitor of the Ezza, Ikwo Noyo, and Izhi Nnodo clans collectively known as Umuekumenyi. According to him, Okeaku sets the cultural pace for similar festivals in surrounding communities, following historical seniority.
He lauded the massive turnout and prevailing atmosphere of peace, love, and unity among the Ezza people.
“This celebration is more than a festival; it is a reaffirmation of our identity as a united and forward-looking people. The presence of many dignitaries underscores the deep cultural respect and solidarity we share,” he added.
Senator Eze expressed gratitude to the dignitaries in attendance, especially Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and his wife, Mrs. Mary-Maudlin Nwifuru, whom he praised for their visionary leadership and dedication to unity and development in Ebonyi State.
Also speaking at the event, Chief Joseph Nwobashi, Member representing Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency, echoed the Senator’s call for unity and reaffirmed his support for Governor Nwifuru’s administration.
Both leaders emphasized that the Okeaku Festival remains a vibrant expression of Ezza Ezekunna identity deeply rooted in ancestral values, communal harmony, and a shared vision for a prosperous future.