By CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

The traditional ruler of Obosi kingdom, Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Eze Iweka III), has described the Obosi town’s celebration of Obiora/Iwaji festival as not only the celebration of a new yam festival but also the celebration of a period of peace.

Igwe Iweka, who doubles as the chairman of the Anambra state traditional rulers’ council, made the remark before a mammoth crowd that thronged the Obosi township stadium on October 25, 2025 to witness his celebration of the 2025 Obiora/Iwaji Obosi festival.

Igwe Chidubem Iweka, who is a writer-king, made this comment about the festival: “The Obiora celebration is not only about new yam festival; but it is, also, about peace. So when we are celebrating new yam festival; we are, also, celebrating a period of peace.

“So before thinking about engaging in a fight, think about the fine you will pay for fighting,” Igwe Iweka said.

And the Obosi Development Union (ODU) President General, Barr. Chimezie Obi, reminded the Obosi people that Obosi is an important town in Nigeria, stating that Obosi people take great pride in their people’s lofty achievements in diverse areas of human endeavours.

“We are proud of what we’ve become as Obosi people and as a community. The chairman of the Anambra state traditional rulers’ council, who is celebrating Obiora/Iwaji, is our son.

“And, now, Obosi town is important not only in Anambra state; but, also, in Nigeria,” Obi said.

Again, the chairman of the 2025 Obiora/Iwaji Obosi Committee, Chief Ken Obi, prayed for the visitation of God’s boundless and limitless blessings on all the people, who came to the Obosi township stadium for the celebration of the Obiora/Iwaji festival.

“I pray that this festival bring blessings to each household, prosperity to our community, and joy to all who partake in this festivity,” Obi said.

During the celebration of the festival, which harks to ancient period, twenty kids lined up to receive slices of roast yams dipped in sauce from Igwe Chidubem Iweka.

More so, as is customary in Obosi ancient kingdom, members of the Igwe Chidubem Iweka’s cabinet, who are red cap chiefs, took turns to dance the “Ota” dance to the wild applause of the people.

Again, the age grades in Obosi whose members wore resplendent uniforms danced round the stands in the stadium, reveling in the joy of the celebration and belting out adulatory praise names for Igwe Chidubem Iweka.

Not wanting to be put in the shade in the 2025 Obiora/Iwaji celebration, members of the prestigious Agbalanze Obosi, who wore immaculate white skirts, which made us think about the men of Scotland, filed out for their own ozo dance.

Each of them held wooden staff, which he would strike on the ground as he twisted his body and gyrated to the drumbeats.

Other groups that entertained the people with their dances were the Anambra state Cultural Group and Kosisochukwu Child Foundation.

As the event was nearing its end, Igwe Chidubem Iweka performed a cultural act, which was reminiscent of the heroic deeds of the Obosi warrior-kings of yore.

Dressed in a warrior’s gear and regalia, which were made of animal skin, Igwe Iweka reenacted the Obosi warrior-kings’ heroism of the past.

Rearing on his toes and moving menacingly, as though he was about to pounce on a foe, Igwe Iweka made pretend threats to strike a blow. It was a riveting spectacle that told the tales of Obosi town’s tortuous past.

The high octane event was attended by high profile Nigerians, among whom is the socialite, the Oni of Ife, Oba Onitan Ogunwusi, whose entrance into the stadium caused a mild stir, as people erupted into wild and tumultuous cheers.

And the unobtrusive Mr. Peter Obi, who entered the stadium without fanfare, was conducted round the stadium by Chief Osita Chidoka, as he exchanged greetings with other people.

Also in attendance were Etsu of Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; former Director of NAFDAC, Dr. Ornih; former Nollywood star, Bobmanuel Udokwu; former House of Representatives member that represented Idemili North and South Federal constituency, Hon. Ifeanyi Ibezi; and a coterie of Anambra state traditional rulers.

Chiedu is from the ministry of information, Anambra state.

Igwe Chidubem Iweka dressed in a warrior’s gear to reenact the Obosi warrior-kings’ heroism of the past.