15/08/2025
IRI JI MBAISE 2025 AND IHEDIOHA'S CALL FOR HERITAGE TRANSFER
By Ori Martins
The word call is intricated. Whenever it is employed, it usually signals attention, alertness or an indication that a critical, sensitive or strategic assignment is either to be given or about being implemented.
In the scriptures, there were great men and women God called at various times and for special purposes. Every call by any caller for anyone called is generally candid, instructive and distinctive.
In every call God made, his message to the called was clear, vivid and simple. Moses was for liberation. Aaron was called to assist. Joshua came into the scene to accomplish an already established mission.
Politically, the Great Zik of Africa had the calling of leading Nigeria to independence. In the international scene, Africa's Man of the Last Century, Nelson Mandela, in all intent and purposes, was called to set the people of South Africa free, and build the foundation for a greater Rainbow Nation.
All of Winston Churchill of Great Britain, Franklin Roosevelt of America as well as Napoleon of France had a call on how to lead their respective countries for various purposes at different times.
Fundamentally, The Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha's clarion call on this auspicious occasion of the Iri Ji Mbaise 2025 is, both in principle and practice, a reflect act.
To start with, Ihedioha, a cultural promoter whose commanding regard for Iri Ji Mbaise Heritage has, peharps, more than anyone else, taken the sybolism and significance of the New Yam Festival to its pinnacle of glory, also identies the real essence of the ceremony, traditionally.
Indeed, Ihedioha does not conjure the practical importance of Iriji Mbaise purely from carnival viewpoint. As it has been well documented and explored, "For Ihedioha, Iri Ji Mbaise is more than a cultural tradition — it is a statement of identity, a call to unity, and a moment to give thanks to God for His blessings".
Constructively, this is Ihedioha's message: his call, and he spreads this cultural slogan like a First Century gospel crusader. That is, Ihedioha's call is, summarily, an invitation to sociocultural regeneration.
In his Iri Ji Mbaise Festival 2025, Ihedioha, in his unambigious and timeles call, anchored in traditional transfer and sustainability, urged the enterprising people of Mbaise "To ensure that the younger generation not only witnesses history but also inherits a sense of pride in their roots".
Dramaticlly but intentionally proclaiming it to the rooftop, Ihedioha charged his people on the efficacy of making the best out of the festival. He said, "Beyond culture, the Annual Iriji Mbaise has become an engine of local economic activity — stimulating trade, boosting tourism, and creating opportunities for local farmers, artisans, and entertainers. It is a living example of how tradition can fuel both cultural pride and economic growth".
This is Ihedioha's call. A clarion call. A call to positive action. It is a call stuffed with a crusder's vitality for the purpose of inspiring a people to accomplish, not just their cultural dreams, but also, not allowing this traditional aspirations to impugn on their avowed collaboration for economic recovery, agricultural revolution, social reform as well as political freedom and security reorganization.
