From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
A prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Benjamin Apugo, has tasked Ndigbo on the revival of their cultural heritage.
Prince Apugo, the Ochiagha/OparaukwuIbeku, Umuahia, Abia State, gave the charge, while addressing newsmen at the EgwuIbeku (ancestral home of Ibeku people) on the forthcoming IzoAhiaIbeku which will take place on July 24.
He expressed regret that the IzoAhiaIbeku festival which started over 3,000 years ago was last held in the area 53 years ago.
“Over 99 percent of those who organized the last IzoAhia festival have died, but the few remaining will teach our children that aspect of our culture.
“I am calling for the revival of our cultures because some of the things our ancestors did in the past in the name of culture, made criminal activities to be low in society.
“The festival started over 3,000 years ago before the arrival of the British Colonial Masters. The IzoAhiaIbeku has a very strong cultural significance as it ushers in the New Yam Festival,” he said.
He stressed the need for people to trace their roots, stating that tradition remained a potent tool for fighting ills in the Society.
He said IzoAhia festival would henceforth be held every five years before the Ibeku New Yam Festival to make way for progress and development.
Apugo announced that the Federal Ministry of Tourism had identified EgwuIbeku as one of the tourism sites in Nigeria because of its historical and cultural heritage.
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