By Chuks Collins
It was joy, happiness and cerebration unlimited yesterday when the Nyamoke kindred of Ojoto community in Idemili South Council of Anambra State unveiled the maiden edition of “Nyamoke Day”.
The event which had almost all the adult males from the Nyamoke Family Union of Umuchem village in Ojoto in attendance was described as a day to remember, when brotherly love, unity, oneness and progress were returned in abundance in their midst.
It was therefore marked with merry making, food and drinks.
Addressing journalists at the ‘Obi Nyamoke’ sacred ground where the youths trooped out as early as 8am and cleared the bushes, grasses and debris of years of neglect, the chairman of the family Union, Ifeanyi Akutigbue noted that the day was set aside “for this special visit and collective task”.
According to him, ” we had collectively agreed during our December 2024 end-of-the-year meeting and reaffirmed it at the emergency meeting of January 25, 2025 to come out for the clearance of this place, our ancestral Obi.
“This was where our forebears normally meet, take far reaching decisions that are binding on and always usher progress to all of us. Both the inside, outside and all the adjoining grounds of this Obi are highly revered and sacred. No one dare desecrate at all.
The Obi was always superintended by one of the elders or his nominee. But unfortunately when the elder – Chief Jeremiah Ekumeku, a Knight of the Catholic Church and an Ichie took over, he nominated Jude Onwudiwe. But he later asked him to stop. Consequently the Obi and all its appurtenances became completely neglected, abandoned to fall into ruins.
Sadly the effect and repercussions of these long years of neglect was dire and unfathomable.
Surprisingly when the ugly turn out of events were pointed out at the family meeting, the became crestfallen except one man. Ichie saw things differently and described some of the things going on in the Obi as fetish.
” We explained to him that the arena was collectively owned by the entire Nyamoke family. That’s why despite series of efforts to stop us from taking back the Obi we remained committed, hence our presence here today.
“We are not quarrelling or fighting with anyone. We are just doing what we need to do as a family; taking back what belongs to us.
“We have told Chief Ekumeku to remove his eyes and interest from what was going on in the Obi and focus on the church since his Christian faith and commitment doesn’t allow him participate in certain ceremonies we hold here. So he should allow others who were interested to performed the necessary decent family rites there for the own personal good. No one is stopping him, he should therefore not stop us.
“We also told him as well as any other person who cared to listen that most of our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters have died unannounced under mysterious circumstances. That on many occasions the reason was traceable to the neglected ancestral interraction.
As we insisted on clearing and restoring the place, he took the matter to places outside the family. He reported us to Igwe Gerrard Mbamalu; he reported us to the Umuchem village and to the security. We met with these institutions and explained our stand satisfactorily to all of the three respected bodies. You can see that he is not here.
“Our brother, Chief Ifeanyi Okonkwo (Nwakibie) who flew in from overseas for the burial of his late dear mother during Christmas season last year requested to perform the “Ike Ife iri” for his sons. Such ceremony is usually performed at the family’s Obi.
After getting the ram and other items ready for the event, that was when we discovered that the Obi arena was no longer active and decent for the event to hold. It was from that point the process of recovery and reclaiming its active role to all sons and daughters of Nyamoke started. We are very happy its a reality.
Chief Antony Uzokwe, (Nnanyelofor) expressed delight that the alarm he had raised sone years ago has resulted openly in the restoration outing of the day. He said it was in the interest of all the family members that their ancestors are happy with them. “We should expect abundant blessings and uplifting and answered prayers in divers areas of life.
Chief Okonkwo thanked the Almighty God that ” we all have realized our problems, struggles and challenges, and decided to confront it.
“But we are coming out of it”, he added with excitement.
The journalists visited Chief Ekumeku in his house, it was discovered has wasn’t around but after a long telephone conversation, he promised to make out time to talk formally.
