Igwe Chidubem Iweka Marks 14th Obiora/Iwaji Festival on Eze Iweka III Throne

By Uzo Ugwunze

The prestigious and famous Obiora cum New yam festival of Obosi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State has commenced with a week-long activity outlined to mark the celebrations which is the 14th Obiora/ Iwaji of His Majesty, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, Eze Iweka III of Obosi Ukwalla kingdom.

Eze Iweka III who is the Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council would be celebrating the 2025 Obiora/Iwaji festival in a grand style because he is expected to host the la creme de la creme in the society including several first class monarchs across the federation on the 25th of October, 2025 at the Obosi Township Stadium.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Obiora/Iwaji Festival Committee, Chief Kenneth Ifeatu Obi (Zikora) disclosed in a press briefing at Chief Emeka Anyaoku Library Center, Obosi, that activities have already been lined up to make this year’s events the best among other ones celebrated in the previous years saying that the community has a good synergy with the security agencies to ensure maximum security and calmness as the community celebrate their festival.

Obi noted that the issue of security of lives and property in Obosi kingdom, both before, during and after the week-long events is highly guaranteed for both Indigenes at home and in the diaspora, as well as non indigenes who are expected to attend from all parts of the world.

He further explained that the Youths would be properly engaged with power packed conferences where lots of lectures on insecurity, dangers of drug abuse, idleness, get rich quick syndrome targeted to catch them young and prepare them on how to choose meaningful careers that will get them established in life.

On the significance of Obiora festival, The duo of Chief of Staff to the Palace, Chief Shadrach Okenwa (Ugoeju) and Chief Engr. Ikechukwu Onwuekwe (Omodi Daike Obosi) in their separate speeches said that Obosi community cannot celebrate such festival with pockets of troubles within families, kindreds or villages adding that before Obiora celebration there must be reconciliation, peace, unity and oneness of the entire members of Obosi community.

“After resolution of conflicts, the people will come together to celebrate oneness. On that day the Traditional Ruler will now celebrate the New Yam thanking God for bountiful harvest.

“Igwe will bless the people praying for peace, progress, long life and prosperity of Obosi community. After cutting the roasted yarn before the community members. He would commence the ‘Ikpo -onunuu’ which is dipping pieces of yam in oil sauce and handing it over to children who will stand in a single file approaching the throne to be fed by the Royal Father,” they said.

Other Dignitaries present in the press briefing who were part of the planning and execution of the Obiora/Iwaji include, the Liaison officer to Eze na Ndichie Obosi on Town Union Affairs, Nze Ikenna Jibike, Elvis Osi Umegbolu (Owugolu Ugoeju).

However, the 2025 Obiora/ Iwaji festival kick-started on Saturday, October 18 with a N50 million scholarship scheme for all the pupils and students in all the public schools of Idemili North Local Government Areas of Anambra state.

According to the Obosi Development Union ODU Education Committee Chairman, Engr. Solomy Ochokwu , Quiz was organized for all 10 idemili north communities’ public primary schools of primary 6 of 2024/25 session( presently in Js 1). Best 3 pupils of the schools wrote scholarship exams at Akpakaogwe Central School Ogidi . Best 20 pupils were selected and gifted #200,000 offered one off.

“Also, Best 10 Obosi indigenes, pupils from public Primary Schools Basic 6 in obosi were Offered 6 years scholarship of tuition, text books , locker and uniforms .worth over 25 million naira. Three (3) undergraduates of Kosisochukwu Iweka Child Development Foundation were given cheques of different amounts of money to subsidize their school fees. Laptops were given to 6 best pupils of existing scholarship students based on their schools performance,” he said .

Moreover, Other activities lined up for the Obiora festival include: Sunday, October 19th, 2025 – Teens fair, followed by youth carnival on Monday, October 20. Youth Conference comes up on Tuesday October 21st. Also ,10 prominent Obosi illustrious sons and daughters will be honoured with outstanding awards the following day with a Gala Night before the Obiora/Iwaji celebration proper billed for Saturday, October 25. Another variety is the Ndichie and Abummadu Mbem night which comes up on October 26th.