IBEKU. INDEGENES WORKING IN NRCRI UMUDIKE CELEBRATE MAIDEN CULTURAL DAY FESTIVAL DAVID Maduako –Umuahia

IBEKU. INDEGENES WORKING IN NRCRI UMUDIKE CELEBRATE MAIDEN CULTURAL DAY FESTIVAL

DAVID Maduako –Umuahia

The people of Ibeku ancient kingdom working in National Root Crops Research Institute , have successfully celebrated their first ever cultural festival in the research institute Umudike.

The cultural festival which took place on the 26th of September 2026 at the senior staff quarters of the institute witnessed the presence of eminent sons of Ibeku land .

Speaking at the event, the Chairman NRCRI Ibeku Workers Forum Mr Staley Ijebuonwu , Said the celebration is first of it’s kind in NRCRI Umudike and organized by Ibeku workers Forum made up of employees of Ibeku origin and Ibeku people doing one business or the other with the institute. The forum he said was formed in the January 1925 with the aim of promoting love, peace and unity among members, protecting each others interest while preserving Ibeku cultural heritage in their place of work. He explained that plans are on the way to ensure that Ibeku is recognized by the appropriate authorities as one of the land donors of NRCRI Umudike which he said is quite evident in the geographical location of the institute and this gave rise to one of the reasons
why the forum members work assiduously towards the progress , discipline and respect for constituted authorities of the institute.

In the area of expansion and development, Mr Ijebuonwu Said the forum have continued to experience growth as a result of positive minded leadership offered by the forum’s leadership.
The forum he said moved from 10 members to 65 members within a year . He said the forum in it’s spirit of oneness, last year December , held a special get together which was also in honour of their retiring staff and it was again first of it’s kind and the people were happy for this laudable move , hence the need for another get together this year to further cement the existing unity among members. The forum he announced shall soon embark on human capital development to enable members have more ideas of what to do to tackle the hash realities of the present day economy . This view he said would necessitate bringing in Agricultural extension workers to organize seminars to educate Ibeku people on new Agricultural systems and Animal Husbandry. He appreciated a foremost Leader in Ibeku land Prince Benjamin B Apugo for his support of the program from beginning to the end .

Contributing , the Chairman of the Occassion Chief Lawrence Odoemelam commended the Organisers of the programs saying organizing such a program requires courage and determination noting that the event is an expression of love for ones culture .

He recalled a time the people of Ibeku in USA were celebrating their New yam festival and a man from Ghana walked up to him and ,looking at his attite said I love Nigerians they go with their culture where ever they go.
This he said made him very proud . He therefore urged the Organisers to go on in the promotion of Ibeku Culture which he said promotes love peace and unity in a people. He commended the Chairman of the forum Mr. Ijebuonwu and his Executives for finding it worth while to celebrate the cultural day . He express appreciation to Chief BB Apugo the Opara Ukwu
Ibeku and pilar of culture in Ibeku land for his support of the program .

Also speaking , the President General of Ndume Otuka autonous Communities Chief John Onyiro commended the people of Ibeku in the Research Institute for promoting Ibeku culture which shows they are united and in peace . He urged them to strive and ensure more Ibeku youths are employed in the institute.

The village Head of Lodu Ndume Autonomous Community , High Chief Udo Ogbonna expressed joy at the event describing it as sign of peace and unity in the institute.
Dr. Obi Ogbonnaya a former Chairman Senior Staff Association of the Institute said culture is for cultural Identity and not for ritual purposes . According to him, by the event , Ibeku people are saying that they are United by their culture and this he said is quite commendable .

The highlight of the Occassion were the display of Ibeku Newyam festival dance steps , cultural dance by women and display of delicacies associated with the people of Ibeku land .
End .