Ikoro Dance ceremony celebrates 20yrs in a ground style.

By Benjamin Kalu, Umuahia
The people of Ozuitem, in Bende local government area in Abia state have performed their 2022 Ikoro Dance ceremony with a call to Ndigbo, not to allow the lgbo culture died, because, is no longer fetish, as it used to be in those days.
Speaking to some news men yesterday shortly after performing the Iwaji ceremony at the palace of Eze John Akaniro of Umuobasiukwu Ozuitem kingdom , in Bende LGA, in Abia State, the President General of the Umuobasiukwu Ozuitem Development Union Prince Nwabueze Ogbonna advised ndigbo, not to allow Igbo culture to die, instead, the culture should be revive, and maintained.
The president general described the 2022 ikeji ceremony as a very superb one. expressing happiness that it was celebrated in ground style because according to him, for almost 20yrs now, the Ikoro Dance, have not been celebrated like this year own.
He said that, he was very happy with what happened. Saying that this year 2022 Ikeji ceremony, supercedes the past years. Promising that, next year own, will be better.
He informed the pressmen, that the Iwaji ceremony in Ozuitem kingdom is an annual event in which the Ozuitem people comes together to eat their yam collectively.
Also speaking with Journalists, the deputy president general of Ozuitem Development Union, Chief Iroham Sunday Kanu described the Ikeji ceremony as a way of thanking God almighty for His love, protection, blessings, and mercy.
He pointed out that,” the Ikoro Dance ceremony, have been existing before they were born, and will continue to exist, even after they have gone, that their fathers, handed over to them, and they will equally hand over to their own children too, and it will continue like that. He maintained that the culture makes their people happy and thank God, for keeping them a life to witness the 2022 Ikoro Dance ceremony.
His message for his people, he asked them, that, to continue with the culture their ancestors left for them, Chief Sunday Kanu, later introduced the two gentle men that were with him, during his meeting with the pressmen, Moses Emenike and Chinonso, both financial secretary and the financial assistant secy of the community development union.
Also speaking, an APC candidate for Bende south house of assembly, hon Owa Chinedu Kingsley, spoke on his happiness over the new yam celebration, and used the opportunity to advised the people of his Constituency to vote according to their conscience, during the forth coming 2023 general election.
In his own speeche, Mr Ikechukwu Evuluonu, who happened to be the financial secretary of his age grade, known as udokanma age grade, described the 2022 Ikoro Dance as a unique one, as they have not been celebrating it like this year own again for so many years now, stating that he was very happy.
Adding his voice, Eze Engr Patrick O Ude, the former chairman of Bende traditional rulers, the isiobu 1 of Umuisiobu autonomous community in Bende LGA in Abia State, said that, he came to celebrate with the eze of UmuobasiukwuOzuitem, eze John Akaniro, who happened to be his friend and master, but it was a pity, that he was away, because of what happened to him, but still used the occasion, to advised Ozuitem people, and the youths in Igbo land to be careful on what they do, so that, we can have a better society.
In their separate speeches, Mrs Ihenyinwa Irokanibe, Mr Chikezie Chukwu, Hon Chief Ikechukwu Emenike, the ohamadike 1 of UmuobasiukwuOzuitem ancient kingdom, Elder Chief Onyebuchi Reuben, odiagha 1 of UmuobasiukwuOzuitem ancient kingdom, Dr Maduka Okoro, the media aid and the spoke person to senator Orji Uzor Kalu and the chairman of the event planning committee, Mr Ikemefuna Chikezie, they all spoke on the important of the Ikoro Dance ceremony in Ozuitem kingdom, and appreciated God, for keeping them a life to witness it again.