Members of the Egwuena Age Grade have reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Abiriba community through the annual Court Cleaning Cultural Festival, popularly known as “Iza Obu.”

The 2026 edition of the festival took place on June 13 in Aba, Abia State, attracting traditional rulers, elders, family members, and other members of the community who gathered to witness the observance of one of the community’s oldest traditions.

Iza Obu, an integral part of the revered Igwa-Mang institution, is traditionally performed by the military age grade as a demonstration of service, discipline, and respect for the institutions of leadership and justice in Abiriba.

During the ceremony, members of the Egwuena Age Grade undertook the symbolic cleaning of the traditional court house, known as the Obu, a revered place where elders and custodians of tradition deliberate on issues affecting the community.

Speaking during interviews conducted at the event, Mr. Onyeuku Okorouga, President of the Egwuena Age Grade, Aba Branch, described Iza Obu as a cultural obligation that connects younger generations with the values and traditions of their forefathers.

Also speaking, Mr. Amogu James, Vice President of the Egwuena Age Grade, Aba Branch, emphasized the role of the festival in promoting communal service, respect for elders, and unity among members of the community.

The General President of Egwuena Age Grade Worldwide, Mr. Kalu Eme, reiterated that Iza Obu extends beyond the physical act of cleaning the court premises, noting that it serves as a reminder of the responsibilities attached to leadership, service, and the preservation of cultural identity.

Mr. Eme also addressed questions regarding the absence of the wives of age grade members during the ceremony. He explained that the tradition draws inspiration from the ancient role of warriors who went to battle while their wives remained at home to care for their families and offer prayers for their safe return.
He likened the members of the military age grade to warriors carrying out communal responsibilities, adding that, traditionally, their wives await their return and welcome them home with joy and specially prepared meals, symbolizing appreciation and support for their service to the community.

Another member of the association, Mr. Kalu Onwuka, underscored the importance of preserving indigenous customs, stressing that cultural practices such as Iza Obu serve as educational platforms through which younger generations learn the history, values, and identity of the Abiriba people.
Prince Nwojo George, while speaking to newsmen, encouraged unity among age grades and prayed for progress and success while upholding the essence of the event

Historical accounts presented during the event traced the origin of Iza Obu to the era when younger men were responsible for defending the community against external threats. Upon returning from military expeditions, they underwent a period of transition into elderhood, during which they were required to demonstrate discipline, responsibility, and commitment to communal service, including the annual cleaning of the court house.

Under the Igwa-Mang institution, the military age grade is entrusted with responsibilities such as maintaining public order, enforcing community regulations, undertaking developmental projects, preserving cultural traditions, and safeguarding the community.

For the Egwuena Age Grade, the Court Cleaning Festival forms part of a four-year cultural obligation expected to culminate in 2028, marking their successful transition within Abiriba’s traditional age-grade structure.

The next edition of the Iza Obu Festival by the Egwuena Age Grade is scheduled to hold in June 2027.

As modernization continues to influence indigenous communities across the country, participants at the event maintained that preserving cultural practices such as Iza Obu remains essential to safeguarding the history, identity, and values of the Abiriba people for future generations.

A local tricycle operator, Mr. Dennis Izuchukwu Okechi, has recounted how six armed bandits threatened to shoot him dead after he used the Igbo language to secretly alert his community to his location during a kidnapping ordeal in Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area.

Okechi and Mrs. Onyinyechi Ekechukwu, a farmer, were abducted around 3:00 p.m. last Wednesday while returning from their farm in the Umuawa Alaocha community. The bandits dragged them into the bush, where they inflicted wounds on both victims and demanded a ₦10 million ransom.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Okechi described the dramatic moment when the kidnappers handed him his phone to contact his family. Instead of using English, he quickly switched to Igbo to reveal their exact location in the Udengwu forest.

“I quickly used the Igbo language to alert them about the area where the bandits had dragged me and Auntie Onyinyechi. I told them that I was being held in the Udengwu area, and this helped my people to know the location where we were being held,” Okechi narrated.

He continued: “But the bandits became angry at me for not speaking English so that they could hear what I told my people. They threatened to shoot me.”

The victims were rescued around midnight the same day by the Umuawa Alaocha community security outfit after youths and leaders mobilized and combed the forest following Okechi’s alert. The bandits, who reportedly spoke a strange language and identified themselves as “bandits,” fled through another route in the bush upon noticing the approaching rescue team.

Okechi expressed deep appreciation to the youths and leaders of his community for their swift response, which led to their rescue.

In reaction to the incident, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, strongly condemned the attack on his Ohuhu community. He called for increased vigilance across Ohuhu and other parts of Igboland to curb the rising threat of banditry and kidnapping.

As Nigerians celebrate the 27th anniversary of the return to democratic governance, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has sharply criticised Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration, accusing it of eroding democratic principles, particularly the separation of powers and the rule of law.

In a strongly worded press statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Lancelot Obiaku, the PDP alleged that the Uzodinma administration has consistently undermined public confidence in governance through arbitrary exercise of power, lack of accountability, and disregard for democratic institutions.

The party stated that true democracy is defined by the separation of powers and adherence to the rule of law, elements it claims are visibly absent in Imo State under the current leadership.

“Uzodinma’s leadership has not shown enough commitment to offer Imo people what true democracy looks like,” the statement read, citing what it described as six years of “arbitrary use of force and power, lack of accountability in the management of public funds, disrespect for the rule of law, and corruption and insecurity.”

The PDP further claimed that these issues have failed to inspire hope among Imo citizens during the Democracy Day commemoration.

The opposition party accused the governor of undermining the Legislature and Judiciary while stifling the local government system by denying it funds and autonomy.

“ The administration is undermining the roles of the Legislature and the Judiciary, stifling the local government system by keeping it in subjugation, depriving it of resources, and effectively running a government where the Executive operates suo motu without recourse to the other arms of government,” the statement said.

The PDP highlighted the alleged diversion of nearly N700 billion in Local Government Area (LGA) allocations since the inception of the present administration, with little to show in terms of rural infrastructure, education, commerce, payment of minimum wage, pensions, or gratuities.

“Our local government areas do not receive up to 10 percent of their allocations. How then would development get to the grassroots with the greed exhibited by the state government?” the party queried.

The opposition also criticised the governor for failing to conduct democratic LGA elections, instead appointing sole administrators, which it said has deprived the people of grassroots governance.

On the judiciary, the PDP noted that Imo State went nearly a year without a Chief Judge after the position became vacant on November 16, 2024. It alleged that Governor Uzodinma failed to follow constitutional provisions by requesting a recommendation from the National Judicial Council (NJC) and instead swore in Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, an appointment the NJC reportedly declared void.

The absence of a substantive Chief Judge, the party said, paralysed the judiciary, as only a Chief Judge can assign cases and perform certain critical functions.

Regarding public procurement, the PDP alleged that the governor has shut down the Public Procurement Bureau, with contracts now awarded secretly without advertisement, transparency, or input from the State Assembly.

The party specifically cited the re-awarding of the World Bank-funded Umuguma and Nekede–Iheanwa roads — projects it claimed were previously awarded in 2020 and 2023 for tens of billions of naira with no visible progress.

“This is the height of theft and sleaze perpetrated by an administration with a morbid inclination toward fraud,” the PDP alleged.

Despite the criticisms, the party wished Imo people and Nigerians a happy Democracy Day and urged them to maintain faith in democratic governance, assuring that a better future remains possible.