Ojiji Izhi: ‘New Idembia Has Emerged’ — Ebonyi Commissioner Declares End to Division

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Uchenna Igwe, has declared the emergence of a “New Idembia Ishieke,” following what he described as a renewed spirit of unity, reconciliation and collective purpose among the people of the community.

Igwe made the declaration on Friday while addressing journalists at the ancient Eze-Eduphu Idembia Ishieke central playground during activities marking the 2026 Ojiji Izhi (Izhi New Yam Festival).

The commissioner described Ojiji Izhi as more than a cultural celebration, saying it provides the Izhi people with an opportunity to reconcile differences, reconnect with their ancestral roots and mobilise for development. 

He said the festival also marks the beginning of a new year in the traditional Izhi calendar.

“Ojiji Izhi is one of the symbolic activities that Izhi people do not play with. It is a moment of reconciliation; it is a moment of coming together to form a formidable force for achieving our purpose and aspirations in the new year,” Igwe said.

Explaining the significance of the venue, he said the Eze-Eduphu playground represented the ancestral roots of the Ishieke people and was deliberately chosen to strengthen their connection with their history and cultural heritage.

“This is where Ishieke people started before migrating to Benue axis. This is their central playground, and in our local dialect, it is called Eze-Eduphu Idembia Ishieke.

It is the biggest playground as far as Ishieke Mgbomeze Dynasty is concerned,” he said.

Igwe acknowledged that Idembia Ishieke had experienced periods of division in the past but said the people had now overcome their differences through dialogue, prayers and reconciliation.

 “Idembia Ishieke is known for unity and one purpose. At a time, we were divided, but God helped us through our prayers, and today being our new yam festival day, we are united again,” he declared.

Describing the development as a turning point, the commissioner said the people had chosen to call themselves “New Idembia” because they had successfully reunited after confronting issues that previously weakened their cohesion.

 “Because we summoned ourselves, talked to ourselves and understood ourselves, God answered our prayers and we came together again. That is why we named ourselves New Idembia,” he stated.

He urged the people to jealously guard the renewed unity and reject individuals or groups seeking to exploit their differences for selfish interests, warning that disunity had cost the community valuable opportunities for development.

“I pray that God will sustain this spirit. I pray that God will help us understand that we have lost so many things in the course of being scattered and in the course of listening to people who did not want us to come together,” Igwe said.

He called on the people to sustain the reconciliation beyond the festival, stressing that cultural celebrations should produce lasting peace, unity and development.