Traditional breaking of kola-nut was performed by the traditional ruler,HRH Igwe Martin Nwafor Ezeh, the Idu ii of Igbo-Ukwu, at about 3pm to declare the day’s event open. As custom demands, the traditional ruler went to a farm with his royal entourage to perform a ceremonial yam harvesting. Minutes after, the Chief and his entourage emerged with a big tuber of yam amidst excitement in the croud. This was followed with Iwaji (cutting of yam), and immediately after the yam had been cut, the Idu of Igbo-Ukwu led other traditional rulers at the event on a royal dance.

The royal dance opened the floor for various other cultural displays at the event. The audience was held spell-bound with the mystical displays of Ukpa Ngborogwu cultural group from Ukpor in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State. Different other cultural groups and masquerades from different parts of the country also thrilled the audience. Some of the cultural troupes accompanied recipients of chieftaincy titles to the event and danced at different stands in the field.

Cultural rhythms from Ngwudike Onyikaodoru cultural group also from Ukpor and Ome Ihe Jide Ofo cultural group from Umudege, Igbo-Ukwu added colour to the event. Also a middle aged man helped to spice the event with Ima Mbem (a kind of rhetorical expressions typical of the ancient Igbo). For about thirty minutes, the man who ironically appeared in an English suit captured the interest of the guests with his rhetorical expressions that sounded as though a scene from the ancient Igbo was being relayed.

Hundreds of young people had besieged Nnewi-Nneni-Ekwulobia Road where the Central School is located and adjoining streets to catch a glimpse of the event. They were however more concerned with masquerades that chased them about in places around the venue. They run helter-skelter and caused some hold-ups in the ever busy Nnewi-Ekwulobia road. Their love for masquerades perhaps explained why the youths trouped into the venue in their numbers immediately the masquerades started gaining entry into the venue just as the event was drawing to an end. They comprised masquerades not accredited for the event but instead entertained their spectators, who are mainly children, outside the venue.

The Igbo-Ukwu monarch used the occasion to confer chieftaincy titles on a number of Igbo sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves in different fields of human endeavour. They include Chief Chris Okonkwor the Chairman of Ogamco Int’l Limited based in Port Harcourt, Mr. Cyril Okeke Ike – a veteran teacher, Dr. Sebastine Umeobi – the Chairman of Asjay & Company Limited based in Lagos. Chieftaincy titles were also conferred on Sir Kingsley Nzerem Onyejeocha – Chairman of F.D Export, Prince Jimmy Asiegbu – a graduate of University of Louisiana, Lafayette, USA. Asiegwu was conferred with the title ‘Onu N’ekwulu Oha Ndi-Igbo’ (The Voice of Igbos). Others who received awards at the event include Madam Josephine Onunwa Osunkwu who was rewarded for her selfless service to the humanity. A young woman called Miss Mabel Okoli was also rewarded for hard-work and integrity in the face of hardship.

Speaking with the press, the traditional ruler of Azi-Igbo, HRH Igwe Christopher Chukwunwendu Umeaniba, expressed his happiness with the event which he said is part of efforts put in place to revive Igbo culture which according to him has suffered steady decline. "We are trying our best. Our culture is dying. That is why we are organizing events such as the one we are having here today so that young ones will know that they have their own culture", he informed.

In an interview with pressmen at the end of the event, one of the recipients of chieftaincy titles, Prince Jimmy Asiegbu, said that his organization, Nigeria Policy Institute, is ready to assist any group that wants to promote Igbo culture both at home and in the Diaspora. He decried the low level of cultural awareness among the Igbos. When asked if he was worried about the present situation in which many Igbo parents refuse to teach their children the Igbo Language, the American based Ezinifite-born professional, in a dramatic irony, posed the question back to the reporters: "Is it not you in Nigeria who refuse to speak Igbo to your children? Igbo children in America speak Igbo!," he emphasized. Prince Asiegbu who had led several Nigerian associations in USA including Anambra State Association and old Aguata association, told the press about his efforts at ensuring that the interests of common Nigerians are seen as priority by the government at all levels.

While closing the event, the traditional ruler of Igbo-Ukwu, Igwe Martin Ezeh, emphasized his determination to underline virtues while propagating Igbo culture. He told the youth to embrace the virtues of hard work and honesty. The Idu ii of Igbo-Ukwu also told the children to shun vices such as get-rich-quick syndrome. He emphasized the importance of education especially among the youths in the development of any society.

"I have toiled to make a living in this community, ask your parents or other elders, they will confirm this. I sold yam at Nkwo-Igbo Market in this town before I became the traditional ruler. Then I also taught in a kindergarten. I worked diligently and never involved myself in social vices. As a Traditional Head, I live a simple life. I am not carried away in anyway. I work for the good interests of all and sundry. These are the qualities I want you to imbibe, not negative behaviours which seem prevalent nowadays", the chief advised. He also counseled the youths to emulate a young man who exhibited an artistic work at the event as well as those who exuded remarkable qualities in occupations such as farming.

The day’s event marked the end of six days activities lined up to mark this year’s version of the emerging festival which is an attempt to unify that aspect of Igbo culture. The six-day-long event had started in earnest On Monday 25