Evil is pervasive because people have lost their tradition – Ichie Mbachu

An aspect of Igbo tradition was given a boost last weekend at Umuamuji Ogberuru, Orlu Local Government Area during the new yam ceremony of Ichie Nwachinemere Mbachu which took place at his country home.
The event which was also organized in collaboration with a traditional group called Odinala Igbo Restoration Ministry, Imo State attracted Igbo tradition practitioners, titled men and women as well as persons who seek to acquaint themselves with Igbo tradition and customs.
The royal father of the day was HRH Eze Ononenyi B, Uzoma, the Ekiti Afor 11 of Ekitti Afor and the chairman Nwangele Council of Traditional Rulers. He was represented by Nze Duru Agwu who used the occasion to extol the virtues of Igbo tradition.
The highlight of the occasion was the cutting of the new yam by the host which he ate to the applause of the guests. Thereafter the guests were served round with the yam and red palm oil source.
Explaining the significance of the event, Mbachu who is also the chairman of the Imo State branch of Nzuko Odinala Welfare Association (NOWA) stated it is a moment to express appreciation to the Gods for a bountiful harvest as well as commune with the ancestors for more blessings.
During his address, he explained that the reason that evil is so pervasive in Igbo land is because people have lost their bearings as long as tradition is concerned. The chairman of Odinala Igbo Restoration Ministry indicated that the traditions of a people provided a strong moral compass to navigate the challenges of life but abandoning it creates more issues for the people. “Honouring your ancestors is no evil”, he concluded.
Another highlight of the event was the message of Odinala Igbo delivered by an Odinala Igbo evangelist, Nnanyereugo Ewuziem popularly known as Nzu na Edo. In his sermon he went down memory lane to highlight how Ndigbo lived gloriously in the past and called for a return to those eras.
He lamented how the brainwash of foreign religions wants to obliterate our tradition completely, to the extent that we now even celebrate untimely deaths, reminded Ndigbo of the blessings bestowed on them by the ancestors and the ancient practices to protect the society which we have all abandoned.
Ichie Ikenga 1 of Obibi Ochasi, Boniface Dike, lamented the quackery that is prevalent among traditional medicine men and urged them to specialize in their areas of competence rather than one shoe fits all method which brings disrepute to the practice.
Some of the guests explained satisfaction and confessed that they have been enriched with deeper knowledge of Igbo tradition.