NKWERRE OHAESHI MAKES HISTORY AS TRADITIONAL RULERS CONFER LOFTY TITLES AT 2026 IRI JI OFO ANO

By Ambrose Nwaogwugwu

NKWERRE, Imo State — The ancient Nkwerre Kingdom was alive with culture, colour and communal pride on Saturday, August 8, 2026, as the four autonomous communities came together for the grand celebration of the 2026 Iri Ji Ofo Ano, Oriri Nkwerre.

Held at the Nkwerre Civic Centre Ground, the festival drew traditional rulers, political leaders, titled men and women, youths and indigenes from across the kingdom. The event was organised by the Nkwerre Aborigines Development Town Union, NADTU, under the leadership of Chief Iroamachi, described as the PG of all PGs.

Beyond the harvest thanksgiving, the 2026 edition will be remembered for a historic conferment of chieftaincy titles by the kingdom’s traditional rulers.

Traditional rulers honour distinguished sons

In a ceremony jointly conducted by the Eze’s from the four autonomous communities, seven distinguished sons of Nkwerre were elevated with prestigious titles reflecting their service and standing.

The honourees are:

• Sir Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie — The Lord Mayor of Nkwerre Ohaeshi
• High Chief Nze Chinasa Nwaneri — The Lord Duke of Nkwerre Ohaeshi
• Chief Barr. Rex C. Añunobi (Sokom) — The Traditional Prime Minister of Nkwerre Ohaeshi
• Nze Barr. Hon Chisom Ojukwu — The Lord Baron of Nkwerre Ohaeshi
• Nze Obinwanne Chinaka — The Lord Earl of Nkwerre Ohaeshi
• Hon. Engr. Frank Onyejiaka — Lord Chancellor of Nkwerre Ohaeshi
• Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu — AmaraChukwu of Nkwerre Ohaeshi

The announcement drew loud ovation, with many describing it as a recognition of leadership, philanthropy and commitment to community development.

Royal fathers lead celebration

The festival was presided over by HRH Eze Prince Nnannah, Eze Ishiala of Onusa Nkwerre Autonomous Community; HRH Eze Felix Ogbonnah, Opiaegbe of Amanano Nkwerre Autonomous Community; and HRH Eze Joel Udenkwo, Chairman of the Nkwerre LGA Council of Traditional Rulers, alongside other traditional authorities.

Their presence, organizers said, underscored the collective resolve to preserve Nkwerre’s cultural identity and to strengthen unity among Onusa, Amanano and the other autonomous communities.

Culture takes centre stage

The Civic Centre Ground was transformed into a theatre of tradition. Cultural troupes including Akalikpo Umunachi, Ikpirikpe Amaegbu, Okwuamara, Ekere Mgbá Ukwube, and the Isiawuodu Onusa Women Troupe thrilled the crowd with songs, dances and colourful regalia.

For many attendees, the gathering of the four communities in one space was itself a powerful symbol of unity and shared ancestry.

A reaffirmation of identity

NADTU leaders said the 2026 Iri Ji Ofo Ano went beyond the eating of new yam. It served as a reaffirmation of Nkwerre’s history, values and collective future.

“As the drums rolled, the message was clear,” one elder noted. “Nkwerre’s culture remains alive, its traditional institution remains strong, and its people remain deeply connected to their ancestral heritage.”

With the conferment of the new titles, the names of the honourees have now been etched into the traditional narrative of Nkwerre Ohaeshi.