From CHUKS COLLINS, Awka
IT was joy, happiness and cerebration on Wednesday, February 5 when the Nyamoke kindred of Ojoto community in Idemili South Local 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, as brotherly love, unity, oneness and progress returned to their midst, occasioned by merry making.
Addressing journalists at the Obi Nyamoke sacred ground, where youths trooped out as early as 8am to clear bushes, grasses and debris of years of neglect, Chairman of the family union, Ifeanyi Akutigbue, said the day was set aside “for this special visit and collective task.
“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 to 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 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; hence 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, even when the ugly turn out of events were pointed out at the family meeting, they became crestfallen, except Ichie, who 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 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 are 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 and that on many occasions, the reason was traceable to the neglected ancestral interaction.
“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 them. 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.”
He continued: “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 it’s a reality.”
Chief Antony Uzokwe (Nnanyelofor) expressed delight that the alarm he had raised some 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 diverse areas of life.”
Okonkwo thanked the God, saying with excitement: “We all have realised our problems, struggles and challenges and decided to confront it. But we are coming out of it.”
Ekumeku, in a long telephone conversation, promised to make out time to speak on the matter formally.
