BY PRINCELY ONYENWE, IMO
Watch the video here: https://www.facebook.com/239724326376914/posts/1500024220346912/
On Saturday, August 7th, 2021, being Saturday, His Royal Highness HRH EZE MORRISON EKE, PhD visited the oldest man in Umuoma Nekede Autonomous community in Owerri West local government area of Imo state Nigeria.
Before the visit, Eze OMADIKE has earlier invited the council of elders of Umuoma Nekede at Oha Nnodi Umuoma town hall where peace and unity were restored.
This is in line with the preparations for the “Odu Umuoma” New Yam festival holding next week at the central school playground located along Nekede/ Ihiagwa road.
His visit to the OLDEST MAN is as custom demands to herald the new Yam before the other arms of Nekede could celebrate the same new Yam at a later date.
9News Nigeria reports that the eldest man in the community is Elder Paul Ndukwuegbulam Anumudu aged 108 years.
Our correspondent in Owerri reports that it is customary for the Eze to pay such a visit with his Traditional Prime Minister, the President-General, former president general Elder Taco Ajoku, Stakeholders, selected elders and officers of the community.
Meanwhile, the Monarch was there to intimate Elder Paul Anumodu that the week-long annual festival known as “Odu Umuoma” New Yam will soon start and in turn seek his approval and blessings.
It was indeed a visit of honour and blessing to God Almighty to have kept the eldest man in Umuoma Nekede in sound health and reasoning at old age.
To the chagrin of the people, Elder Anumudu could still stand up, walk around, talk sensibly and crack jokes. He prayed and blessed HRH EZE MORRISON SJ EKE and the entire three arms of Nekede namely Umualum, Umudibia and Umuoma wishing OMADIKE and his team a long and peaceful reign.
The highlight of the visit was the shower of monetary gifts and other items on pa Paul Anumodu by his people which further led to his official pronouncement of the Odu New Yam festival to be held on the 14th day of August 2021 at the central school playground located in Umuoma Nekede.
In the video link above, Elder Anumodu can here be seen pouring libation for the good of his community and Ndi Umuoma Nekede.
I can authoritatively report that with his permission, the community can now go ahead with the festival and be assured of success and safety throughout the week-long festival.
In his magnanimity, a one-time PRESIDENT GENERAL, Elder Tony Ajoku (TACO) who hails from the same Okam Villa with the Eldest man in Umuoma Nekede took the crew of Dignitaries to a round table launch in his country residence.
We promise to keep our readers posted as the festival progresses. Send in your comments below.
9News Nigeria (Owerri)
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