Group To Revive Abandoned Abia Festival After 53 years

The Ibekus, both at home and in the Diaspora, have concluded preparations to revive their age-long popular Izo Ahia festival observed last in 1972.

Spokesperson of the Ibekus, Prince Benjamin Apugo, stated this while briefing newsmen on the level of the preparations in Umuahia, the state capital.

“Tagged ‘2025 Izo Ahia Ibeku Egwu Asa,’ the festival which precedes our new yam ceremonies, will be observed on July 24 (Eke market day) in the state capital,” he said.

He said the Ibekus are not only residing in Umuahia North local government area but spread across the Southeast and the South-South zones including Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom states and beyond.

According to the Ochi Agha (Warlord) of Ibekuland, the event is not only aimed at reviving the festival but also to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people.

‎”It has always been a forum for us to imbibe in our teeming youths, and to showcase to the world, our esteemed rich traditional and cultural heritage,” he stated.

‎He stressed the need for reviving such cultural festivals and traditions among youths across Igbo land especially “against prevailing harmful alien cultures and practices.”