Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has charged the people of Izhi Nnodo clan to stop the indiscriminate sale of ancestral lands and burial grounds, warning that such acts could turn them into “strangers in their own homeland.”
The governor gave the warning at the weekend at Amagu, the ancestral home of Izhi Nnodo, during the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival.
Speaking in Izhi dialect, Nwifuru said land was not just property but the soul and memory of the people.
The governor expressed worry over reports of families selling off inherited compounds and even graves.
“I have seen situations where people sell not only family lands but even the burial grounds and ancestral compounds of their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers,” Nwifuru said.
“Such actions are regrettable because they disregard the sacrifices and struggles through which our ancestors secured these lands.”
He urged elders, traditional rulers, youths and religious leaders to safeguard the clan’s heritage and teach the younger generation the difference between culture and religion.
“Many have confused religion for tradition and have failed to locate the difference between the two. There is sharp demarcation between the two and they do not conflict,” he said.
Nwifuru listed respect for elders, dignity of labour, hard work, peace, unity and communalism as the core values that defined the Izhi people.
Ahead of 2027, the governor warned against using politics to break ancestral ties, and cautioned against “social media blackmail” of leaders.
“People should not leverage social media to castigate our leaders and deny our sincere performances all in the name of politics,” he said.
“Those seeking elective positions under opposition platforms are free, but pursue your ambitions peacefully and in the interest of the people. Politics should not destroy ancestral bonds.”
Defending his administration’s performance, Nwifuru said Ebonyi had recorded massive infrastructure growth.
“We have completed more than 500 kilometres of roads across the 13 LGAs. We have done roads connecting other states with span bridges,” he said.
He called on the people to vote massively for the All Progressives Congress (APC), from presidency to state assembly, in 2027 to consolidate the gains.
“Our political objective is to consolidate our development agenda and gains.
“Our political objective is to consolidate our development agenda and deliver electoral victories for APC candidates,” the governor said.
Earlier, Chairman of the festival, Edward Nkwegu, said Ojiji Izhi remains a platform for transmitting values of “good morals, sincerity, industry, justice, equity and fairness handed down by our ancestors.”
He lamented the erosion of traditional values among youths, blaming Western influences and modernity.
The festival drew traditional rulers, community leaders, women, youths and political stakeholders who converged to celebrate the new yam harvest and reaffirm their commitment to preserving Izhi culture.
The coordinator, Ebia DC, Mr Iboko Steven; the National President, Izhi Nnodo Youth Forum, Mr Elom Andrew; and Special Assistant to the Governor on Road Maintenance, Hon. Ben Nwosu, expressed joy over the bountiful celebration, which they said had brought unity, love and more blessings to the clan.
The programme, which featured dances, a masquerade parade, roasting and eating of yam, and other cultural activities, was attended by dignitaries from the State.
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV