Joy in Issele-Uku as kingdom marks Ine festival, Obi Nduka in his elements

Obi Nduka, Obi of Issele-Uku Kingdom appearing for the Ine festival on Saturday.

Oligbo Royal Palace, seat of the monarchy of Issele-Uku Kingdom and the head of the Ezechime Clan was on Saturday, September 15, 2019, agog with celebrations to mark the kingdoms cultural festival called  Ine, just like the Igwe festival of the ancient Benin  Kingdom.

His Royal Majesty, Obi Agbogidi Nduka , MNSE, was in his elements as he engaged in royal dance steps as he went round performing all the rites connected with the festival and receiving homage visits by titled chiefs, Ina aka, translated in English means royal handshake for titled chiefs of the kingdom.

The programme of events began at 8 a.m. when the Obi performed the first traditional rites of ‘Ipu Nzu’ as he visited ‘Ihu Onicha’, the releases several canon shots.

Obi Nduka, in a traditional dance.

At 9.30 a.m. Obi Nduka received indigenes and non-indigenes in his palace, thereafter at 1.p.m., he received the kingdom’s titled chief who paid him first homage with some dance groups in his palace one after the other. When he emerged from the palace, accompanied by the royal family with the ‘Emaba dance group’, he proceeded to his reception, Ogwa , and sits on the ukpo, a traditional stool of the king. This was where sat and received the titled chiefs who came dancing in their full chieftaincy regalia, paying home to the king and then received the royal handshake (Ina Aka) one after the other.

Those who paid homage to the king included Chief (Engr) Innocent Ashiedu, ( Iyase), Prime Minister of Issele-Uku from Ogbe-Ofu. He was followed by Chief (Sir) Victor Isiekwenegbu, Oza of Issele-Uku. Therefter, Chief (Barrister) Krees Njiokwuemeni, Isama Akwe of Issele-Uku.

The Oza of Issele-Uku, and wife, on the way to pay homage.

Others who paid home to the royal father were Chief Innocent Nwakpati, Omeogo of Issele-Uku, Chief Gabriel Ebite, Agujiegbe of Issele-Uku and Chief Fidelis Jigide, Esogba of Issele-Uku.

Shortly after the royal handshake event, Obi Nduka, amd dancing to tradition renditions and drums, visited ‘Ihu Onicha’ a second time to start the royal dance (Ime Uje),starting from his queen (Anasi obi), accompanied by the titled chiefs.

The king returned from the royal dance and sits on his ukpo in his ogwa, from where he returns to his palace, with dancing and acknowledging the crowd of ecstatic subjects as he dances away into his palace, waving to acknowledge them as he departs from them for the day.

Mr. Paul Mma, an indigene of Issele-Uku who came with his wife told journalists that the colourful ceremony was the celebration of the kingdom’s New Year. “It’s a traditional thing and very historical. It’s an ordinance, and nothing will change it. It is what the people of Issele-Uku look up to every year. It’s a joyful event show that the people of Issele-Uku are united,” he said. 

For the Deseet Warrior, Chef Newton Jibuno, a titled chief from Otulu, who came to felicitate with Obi Nduka, the festival is an event engaged in as a means of preserving the culture the fore-fathers handed down to their children. “Part of this ceremony is to keep that custom alive so as to have something to handover to the next generation,” Chief Jibuno said.

He continued: “The joy, and good health that the ceremony is giving to the people; when you are happy, you are healthier. The festival is our new year after the harvest. That is the essence, and that is what we are telling the faith institutions some of who see it as fetish. Is there anything fetish here?” Jibuno asked, even as he urged other kingdoms to emulate Issele-Uku kingdom.

For Mr. Lucky Oghene-Omoru, Director General of Delta satate Investments Development Agency, Governor’s Office said: “We are celebrating culture, civilization, and the success of the king of Issele-Uku. By putting together the event, Issele-Uku people are asserting their position, telling people that they are persons who believe in progress, and saying to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa that they are a people who believe in progress and development.