By EDISON Okereke
The Naze Autonomous Community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State marked its annual “Ịte Ofe Naze” festival on recently, with community leaders emphasizing continued unity, cultural preservation, and development.
The festival, held every last Nkwo Market Day in August according to the traditional Igbo calendar, is a symbolic day set aside to honour Naze’s heritage.
Dr. George Ofoegbu PhD, who was recently elected President-General of Naze, said his administration would prioritize humility, respect, and unity across the community’s six villages.
“My people of Naze elected me their President-General. I’m happy, and I’ve accepted that position,” Ofoegbu told journalists. “I’m going to serve them with humility. I’m going to serve them with respect. I’ll carry everybody along because Naze Community is our own.”
Speaking on the significance of Ịte Ofe, he described it as more than a cultural event.
“Whenever we’re doing this ceremony, barren women do conceive. Any family that is not in peace will be in peace,” he said. “The most important thing is unity —unity in diversity, unity at home, unity outside. This is also another occasion that unites Naze at home and in the diaspora.”
Ofoegbu added that his message to the people is one of progress.
“Naze will continue to move forward. I’ll be a good unifier. We have six villages in Naze, all of them should cue behind the President-General, and take Naze Community to a greater level.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2026 edition, Hon. Sam Anyanwu, said the festival was designed to showcase Naze’s cultural heritage and foster cohesion.
“I am the Supervisory Councillor for Works and Housing of Owerri North Local Government Area,” Anyanwu said. “As a stakeholder, I am the Chairman of the LOC for this very programme, the 2026 edition of Ịte Ofe Naze. It is our culture in which Naze Community showcases the traditional heritage of our people.”
He commended the traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Eze Francis Ugorji (Eze Udo II) as well as youth and socio-cultural groups including the Naze Youth Association and Oganihu Umu-Naze for their support.
According to Anyanwu, the festival’s impact goes beyond celebration.
“Over the years, Naze Community has never had it like this in the past. It is to bring our people together in love and unity, to ensure peace, progress, and drive infrastructure development,” he said. “Where there is no love, there will not be development.”
He described the gathering as a “paradigm shift for the continued unity and progress of Naze Autonomous Community” aimed at driving the community’s political, economic, and social development.
In his closing remarks, Anyanwu appreciated attendees and offered prayers for them.
“As many of them that have come to honour and grace our event, we pray that Almighty God will reward them bountifully in million folds, and celebration will never cease in their lives.”
