Ubulu-Uku, Delta State – As the community prepares to celebrate its sacred annual festivals—Ine Ubulu, Iwu Isho, and Iwu Ubulu Uku—Chief Emma Ejiofor, PhD, the Onishe (Traditional Prime Minister) of Ubulu-Uku, has made a passionate plea for unity, peace, and the preservation of cultural traditions in the face of modern challenges.
Addressing the people of Ubulu-Uku ahead of the festivals in a statement, Chief Ejiofor emphasized the importance of safeguarding the community’s rich traditions, which have served as the backbone of their identity and spiritual heritage. He expressed concern about growing external influences that, under the guise of religion, threaten to undermine long-standing customs.
“Our traditions are deeply rooted in our collective consciousness and are integral to our way of life,” Chief Ejiofor stated. “We respect the coexistence of various faiths within our community, but we must not allow anyone to desecrate the memory of our ancestors or belittle the significance of our customs.”
Chief Ejiofor also raised concerns about the threat to the monarchy’s traditional system of succession, warning that any deviation from the practice of passing the kingship from father to first son could have dire consequences for the community. He described this as a betrayal of the community’s heritage and a potential source of generational discord.
“The monarchy is a cornerstone of our governance structure, and any attempt to disrupt the sacred lineage of succession could invite generational curses upon our land,” he said. “We must preserve the rightful order of kingship and honour the legacy of our forefathers.”
In his message, the Onishe urged the community to embrace the true teachings of Christianity, emphasizing love, compassion, and respect for one another. He called for the people to stand united in defence of their cultural heritage while also showing kindness and understanding towards others.
“Let us come together in prayer and solidarity, seeking divine intervention for the prosperity and well-being of our land,” Chief Ejiofor said. “This year’s celebration of our traditional festivals should be a time of renewal, growth, and abundant blessings for our community.”
As the Ine Ubulu, Iwu Isho, and Iwu Ubulu Uku festivals approach, Chief Ejiofor expressed hope that justice would be restored to those who have suffered injustices and that the land of Ubulu-Uku would flourish with prosperity and abundance. He called for the community to stand firm in upholding their traditions, which he described as the foundation of their communal existence and the key to future prosperity.
Chief Ejiofor concluded by asking for peace to reign in Ubulu-Uku during this festive season, encouraging the community to remain steadfast in their commitment to preserving their customs while coexisting peacefully with other faiths.
