21st April, 2019
Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra on Sunday in Ogidi called on Igbo people to sustain and promote their rich cultural heritage.
He spoke at the Ito Aro (retirement ceremony) Ogidi Cultural Festival, held at Ogidi Town Hall.
The governor stressed the need for Igbo people to encourage and sustain culture that celebrate people while alive, rather than honour them when they die.
Obiano praised the organisers, especially traditional ruler for the colourful and orderly nature of the event.
HRH Igwe Alex Oyido, traditional ruler of Ogidi, said the Ito Aro is an age-long traditional observance in Ogidi which had been abandoned for quite long.
“Ito Aro is deeply rooted in the age grade system in Igboland.
“Age grade in Ogidi have been very influential and impacted positively on communal discipline, community development and engineered healthy competitive spirit among the youths”, he said.
Dr Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman Dome Entertainment Centre, Abuja, and one of the promoters of culture in Ogidi, said the Ito Aro would help foster unity among the people.
Obiora told NAN that one of the inherent gains of the age grade was to checkmate anti social conducts among the youths.
“These days, problem of youths indulging in drug addiction and other anti social lifestyle are on the rise, with the age grade system, members can help correct negative conducts of their age grade”, he said.