Akagburuonye Donates N50m to Iriji Mbaise Festival, Calls for Peace and Unity
By Everest Ezihe, Aboh Mbaise
Barrister Success Obioma Akagburuonye last Saturday became a cynosure of all eyes as he again uplifted the ancient Iriji Mbaise National Cultural Festival with a whopping donation of 50,000,000 Naira.
The donation which he personally announced threw the entire Oke Uvuru Secondary School, Uvuru in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State into a spontaneous thunderous applause as the crowd erupted into happiness and started singing appreciative songs of greatness to him.
Akagburuonye who was a co-sponsor of the 2026 annual cultural heritage festival came to the well attended event joyously,with litany of personalities, especially youths who have benefitted from his philanthropic skills acquisition entrepreneurship, under the auspices of his sociopolitical organization, Hope Rising for Imolites (Olile Anya Di).
Speaking, the National Coordinator of Hope Rising for Imolites expressed happiness for the persistence in organization of the famous cultural fiesta, which he observed has become a source of unity and brotherly love among the people of Mbaise historical clan, as well as the promotion and sustenance of their good cultural heritages.
He sued for peace and unity among the people noting that his philanthropic gestures are always tailored towards teaching people how to fish instead of giving them fish.
The 2027 Imo State governorship hopeful under the political platform of All Progressives Congress, APC also described himself as not a typical Nigerian politician, that his covenant with God is to be a humane leader with patriotic passion for the people’s needs.
He solicited for support and cooperation for Imo State government, describing Senator Hope Uzodimma as God sent Governor to Imo State.
Akagburuonye highlighted most of the giant strides achievement of Governor Uzodimma’s Shared Prosperity administration, especially as it concerned infrastructural developments and transformations, welfare oriented governance, capacity building and drastic reduction of insecurity.
In his goodwill message, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister. Hannatu Musa Musawa, who was ably represented by his aide, High Chief Ngene Kingsley Bash, the Ministry’s Special Adviser Administration,
expressed gratitude to the good people of Mbaise, the Ezeuruezu Mbaise Association, the Central Organizing Committee, traditional rulers and all distinguished guests present at the great event.
She pointed out that Iri Ji Festival of Ndi Mbaise is particularly significant because it has developed from a traditional agricultural thanksgiving into one of the major pan-Mbaise cultural gatherings in Imo State.
”Iri Ji Ndi Mbaise is more than a celebration of the new yam harvest; it is a celebration of identity, heritage, community and tradition.
”It provides an important platform for preserving cultural values and passing them from one generation to another, while showcasing the richness of Mbaise culture to Nigeria and the world.
”Iri Ji, often called Iri Ji Ohuru (New Yam Festival), is one of the most important traditional festivals among the Igbo people of South Eastern Nigeria.
”It is much more than a celebration of eating yam. It represents harvest, thanksgiving, renewal, community identity, ancestral heritage and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle”.
The Minister informed that the theme of 2026 Iriji Mbaise cultural fiesta is, “Culture, Unity, Security and Sustainable Development,” stressing that the theme is relevant in both human and societal development.
Musawa reiterated that culture has the power to bring people together and promote peaceful coexistence, while security remains essential ingredient to the growth of tourism.
She further insisted that the government, traditional institutions, community leaders, youths and other stakeholders should work together to build safe and peaceful communities where tourism and cultural activities can thrive.
The Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government in working with communities, traditional institutions, government bodies, the private sector and other stakeholders so as to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s cultural and tourism assets.
She observed that through collaboration and innovation, culture and tourism can contribute significantly to job creation, community development, national unity and sustainable economic growth.
The Minister also advised other Igbo communities to emulate Ndi Mbaise’s determined efforts to promote and sustain the cultural heritage of Ndi Igbo.
Musawa further commended the Ezeuruezu Mbaise Association, the Central Organizing Committee and the entire people of Mbaise for sustaining this important cultural tradition.
