How 400 boys attained adulthood in Enugu community

For the 400 youths in particular not even a heavy rainfall could stop them as the occasion was a moment celebrating them.

For the people of Ugbo community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, the event was a period of conviviality and cultural renewal which attracted some political heavyweights, including the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, celebrated this year’s Aju festival.

Also known as Iwa Akwa, this year’s festival witnessed a huge turnout of Ugbo indigenes with their sons performing their “rite of passage to adulthood”.

South East Trust reports that a similar cultural festival is celebrated with elegance by the people of Obowo in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.

Our correspondent gathered that the festival, performed every three years, covers young men between the ages of 19 to 21 and is the most cherished festival in the life of every Ugbo indigene. It is one of the major cultural landmarks in Awgu Local Government’s traditional calendar in Enugu State.

Addressing the huge gathering during the festival, a former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said the ancient tradition has seen millions and thousands of Ugbo men being initiated into adulthood and has remained since its inception.

“I know this is a period in Ugbo when illustrious sons and daughters, both within and outside Nigeria, come together   to celebrate their sons who have reached the age of adulthood

“For 18 years every three years, I have celebrated Aju festival with Ugbo people and I participate in every ceremony the Ugbo people are doing, so I am from Ugbo and I welcome all of you present at this ceremony and wish that God will take you back home to your various destinations safely.

“Despite the modernization in Ugbo today, I am so happy that we still remember the culture and tradition and I pray that our culture and traditions will never die,” he said.

Also, the member representing Aninri/Awgu/Orji River Federal Constituency, Rep Toby Okechukwu,   congratulated the celebrants.

Okechukwu advised the young men to be brave just like they have demonstrated in the day’s event as even the heavy downpour could not douse their enthusiasm.

The chairman of the occasion, Mr Ogechukwu Udeagha, expressed delight that the age-long tradition that has remained in the community for several generations.

Earlier at the occasion, the Chairman, Organising Committee of the Aju festival and National publicity secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, appreciated the guests for honouring the invitation and prayed that the Aju festival continued to be observed every three years.

One of those initiated into adulthood, Chukwuma Ani, said he was grateful to God for keeping him alive to join the league of adults as some people died before attaining the age.

“It’s by the grace of God almighty. Without God, we can do nothing. Therefore, I am thankful to Him for making this day possible,” Ani said.

Another celebrant, Uchenna Use, who said he has been looking forward to seeing the festival, added that “ mere words may not convey my excitement. In fact, neither William Shakespeare nor Wole Soyinka or even Chinua Achebe can capture the depth of my joy and happiness today.”

For Mr. Udegbu Austin, another celebrant, the initiation into adulthood means that “one has come of age and therefore is expected to now behave like an adult while dropping those childish behaviours.”

As the heavy rainfall could not stop the celebrants, it is hoped that they would face the future with such enthusiasm or even more vigour now that they have come of age.