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By Silvernews
The President General of Ezeji Mbaise, Ezeji Chief Linus Nwajere, has assured that the 2026 edition of the Iri-Ji Mbaise Festival will retain its rich cultural and spiritual significance while being celebrated on a scale that will attract national and international attention.
Nwajere gave the assurance while receiving members of the Central Planning Committee for Iri-Ji Mbaise 2026, who briefed him on the outcome of consultations with traditional rulers and government officials in the three Mbaise local government areas.
According to him, the annual festival remains a sacred covenant between the people of Mbaise and God Almighty, symbolized through the celebration of the new yam harvest, and must therefore be protected from any form of distortion or desecration.
He stressed that Ndi Ezeji, as the custodian of the yam festival tradition, will continue to uphold the culture and spiritual values of Iri-Ji Mbaise in their original form, insisting that no individual or group will be allowed to undermine its sanctity.
The President General recalled that he recently inaugurated the Central Planning Committee for the 2026 festival, chaired by Ezeji Dr. Kachi Nwoga, with Ezeji Anistus Ogu as secretary, to coordinate preparations for the August 15 celebration.
Briefing the President-General, the committee disclosed that it held productive meetings with the chairmen of the three Ndi Eze statutory councils in Aboh, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte Mbaise, as well as the chairman of the Mbaise Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Mike Orji, and the executive chairman of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Iheukwumere Alaribe.
The committee noted that discussions with traditional rulers and government authorities showed a common will to work together for a successful and widely celebrated Iri-Ji Mbaise 2026, adding that a final harmonization meeting with the three local government chairmen was scheduled for June 11.
Ndi Ezeji also dismissed reports of another central planning committee purportedly set up by Ezuruezu, claiming that such committee does not have the approval of both Ndi Ezeji and Ndi Eze Mbaise, the recognized custodians of the festival.
They advised members of the public to only deal with authorized facilities and warned against making payments into unauthorized accounts in the name of Iri-Ji Mbaise.
Traditional custodians also expressed concern over what they described as attempts to undermine the cultural integrity of the festival, citing events related to the 2025 celebration.
They reiterated their commitment to ensuring that future editions of Iri-Ji Mbaise remain true to the tradition and values passed down by generations of Mbaise ancestors.
Commending the Central Planning Committee for its efforts, Nwajere expressed confidence that the 2026 festival will be one of the most successful in Mbaise’s history and promised to make further public statements on the preparations in the coming days.
