◾As FG endorses Oji Ezinihitte as national cultural festival
By Chigozie Uzosike
It was moment of preservation of culture and tradition as Eziudo Ancient Town hosted the 2026 Oji Ezinihitte festival that saw exhibition of different cultures and new dimension in the celebration of Oji Ezinihitte.
The event which holds every first day of every January of each year across the towns of Ezinihitte was hosted by Eziudo at Central School Eziudo.
The event commenced with night praise at Town School Eziudo followed by festival of different cultures that brought and showcased different cultural displays including Ebube Pericoma Izuogu, Ohafia war dance among others. The receiving of Okwa Oji from Amumara and gala nigh/open air party were lined up programs announcing the Oji Ezinihitte proper.
Speaking to newsmen during the event, the President General Eziudo Central Development Union (ECDU) Surv Bartholomew-Peters Anayo Nwokocha noted that never in the history of the celebration of Oji Ezinihitte was variety of activities heralding the Oji Ezinihitte seen. He said Eziudo is known for her hospitality and embrace of love as her name implies. He lauded the Ezinihitte Development Association, the traditional rulers of Eziudo for their efforts , the Central Working Committee, the sons and daughters of Eziudo who contributed to the successful hosting of the program and entire people of Eziudo and Ezinihitte for making the 2026 Oji Ezinihitte a huge success. He used the opportunity to urge government of the day to ensure that there’s access roads to the communities of the state.
In his contribution, the chairman of the Central Working Committee, Chief Chidubem Orji appreciated the entirety of Eziudo and Ezinihitte Development Association for the event. He said Eziudo is known for her creativity. “The activities that we introduced were to add colour, glamor and ensured that we take Oji Ezinihitte to another level of gathering. The other next to host Towns must have learnt something new from what we introduced and they’re free to replicate same in subsequent Oji Ezinihitte celebrations”.
He appreciated his committee for their efforts and those Eziudo individuals who made handsome donations for the celebration.
A lot of associations and companies saw to the sponsorship of some of the programs ranging from Good Brothers who saw to the Praise Night, East Coast premium table water for her magnanimity in seeing to some of the activities, Indomie, MTN among others.
The event which was chaired by Engr. I. G. Onumaegbu had government representatives, former governor of Imo State , Chief Emeka Ihedioha, House of Reps member for Ahiazu/Ezinihitte, Rt. Hon. Emeka Chinedu, Kanayo O. Kanayo, popular actor, Zuby Michael, lawmakers, commissioners among others in attendance.
It will be recalled that since the inception of the celebration of Oji Ezinihitte cultural festival in 1954, the Oji Ezinihitte being hosted by Eziudo was endorsed by the federal government. Through the effort a son of Eziudo, the town secured a federal Government endorsement of Oji Ezinihitte from the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), signed by the Director General. No autonomous community has got the Federal government to endorse Oji Ezinihitte and recognise it as a national cultural festival. This is part of the records and milestones Eziudo took the Oji Ezinihitte celebration to.
