The Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University, Prof. Michael Ugota Awoke, has joined other well-meaning indigenes of Ezza Ezekuna to celebrate this year’s Okeaku new yam festival at the Ezza Ezekuna ancestry home, Nchonu, Amana, Ezza-South Local Government Area, Onueke.
Professor Awoke used the occasion to admonish all sons and daughters of Ezza Ezekuna on the importance of peace and unity among the Ezza people.
He described Okeaku as a celebration of the culture of Ezza people in honour of their ancestors, and commended His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his inclusive government policies which have seen to the appointment and employment of Ezza sons and daughters into enviable positions in the state and federal parastatals.
Prof. Awoke specially thanked the governor for appointing him Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University, and reiterated his pledge to be eternally grateful to him.
The governor, in his remarks, warmly felicitated with Ezza people and commended them for their uncommon show of peace and unity, and advised them to keep up the solidarity and lifestyle of unity of which Ezza Ezekuna is known for.
In his words, “when we were coming, I told my friends that the kind of unity in Ezza is unmatchable; we have come and have seen it again by ourselves, and I’m so proud of the unity among the Ezza people. This event and other events have shown that Ezza is a one-strong-bond. I know that this unity will always be here. It has been here even before I dreamt of entering politics, and so shall it shall be till the end of time. Let us use this unity to support the government in her policies and programmes. I’ve enjoyed the warm welcome and I appreciate your solidarities all these years.” The Governor said.
The occasion of the 2025 Okeaku Ezza new yam festival attracted many prominent sons and daughters of Ezza-Ezekuna, including the Senator representing Ebonyi Central, Sen. Ken Eze, the member representing Ezza-North/Ishielu federal constituency, Hon. Chief Joseph Nwobashi, members of the State Executive council of Ezza extraction, the three local government chairmen of Ezza-North, Ezza-South, and Onicha, members of the Ezza Elites Club led by Prince Chibuike Orogwu (BabyOku), Ada Ezza Union, traditional rulers, members of the academia, women groups, youths, student groups, and other well-wishers.