Governor Uzodimma honours Iriji Mbaise 2021

The people and land of Mbaise laid out the proverbial red carpet for His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State at the 2021 offering of the sacred and iconic celebration of Iriji (New Yam Festival).

The Governor was represented at the event by His Excellency Professor Placid Njoku, the Deputy Governor of Imo State.

This year’s rendition of Iriji Mbaise was held in Ahiazu Local Government Area, hosted by the IMC Chairman, Chief Larry Chikwe.

The colourful event was chaired by Ezeji Professor Uzodimma Nwala, and coordinated by Ezeji Dr. Kachi Nwoga.

Professor Njoku led a convoy of over 30 vehicles from Owerri to Mbaise, accompanied by two serving appointees of the Governor from Mbaise, Dr. Pat Ekeji, the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, and Dr. Ugorji O. Ugorji, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security and Intelligence.

Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Special Duties was also in attendance.

Several former appointees of Governor Uzodimma from Mbaise also graced the occasion as part of the entourage of the Deputy Governor, including Barrister Ogechi Njoku, and others.

At the cutting of the Ji (yam) ceremony, the President General of Ndi Ezeji Mbaise, Ezeji Chief Charles Osuagwu welcomed Governor Hope Uzodimma to Mbaise land.

He assured the Governor that he was at home with his brothers and sister in Mbaise and that his (the governor’s) support base in Mbaise is growing in leaps and bounds every day.

After prominent sons of Mbaise and their guests took turns to cut pieces of the yam, Professor Placid Njoku came last to do the final honours.

In his message from his boss, Governor Uzodimma, Njoku praised the ingenuity, courage, excellence and patriotism of Ndi Mbaise, not just in Imo State and Nigeria, but also in the global village where Mbaise sons and daughters continue to set the pace in many fields.

Professor Njoku said it was proper and right that Ndi Mbaise would give thanks to Chukwu (God) first and offer the creator yam first, before humans would commence the eating of new harvests, represented by the yam, revered as the king of all agricultural crops among the Igbo.

Njoku reminded Ndi Mbaise and all citizens of Imo State that there is a season for everything.

He said: “There is a season for political campaigns, there is a season for voting and elections. And there is a season for governance.”

According to the Deputy Governor, the seasons for campaigns and elections are over.

“We are now in the season of governance and we invite all of our citizens to join hands with Senator Hope Uzodimma in this season of governance so that we can develop Imo State together,” he noted.

Over three thousand people gathered at the venue of the 2021 Iriji Mbaise.

The Chairman of Ndi Eze for Ahiazu Mbaise, HRH Eze Sabinus Nwaneche, the Chairman of Ndi Eze of Ezinihitte Mbaise, HRH Eze O. B. Nwaokorocha, and the Chairman of Ndi Eze for Aboh Mbaise, HRH Eze Nwaturuocha, led several Ezes from Mbaise at the event.

See photo of the event below [credit: Chikere J. Anochie]:

A corss-section of Mbaise dignitaries

Governor’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security and Intelligence, Dr. Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji granting an interview