Ooni, African Americans expected in Anambra
From Chuks Collins, Awka
An Anambra monarch and traditional ruler of Eri kingdom in Enugwu Aguleri community in Anambra East council of Anambra State, Eze Chukwuemeka Eri has disclosed that why Igbo race choose to live and do business in every hamlet of the world was rare blessing inherited from their forefather known as Eri.
He noted that Eri, according to historical records was said to have migrated down this part of the world from Israel and landed at Aganabo Ezu n’ezu Omamala River Confluence.
The monarch who addressed journalists in his Eri Kingdom on the preparations for a 3-day activities lined up for the remembrance of Eri progenitor the father of the Igbo race titled “World Eri Festival” said that Ndigbo inherited the blessings to go and live and do business everywhere and make progress from their father.
World Eri Festival, he added was a time when the entire Igbo race converges in his kingdom to celebrate their forebear adding that the palace has lined up a 3-day program for this year’s edition coming up at the weekend.
He listed very important dignitaries expected as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and about 25 African Americans from the United States of America among other dignitarie from all walks of life.
He said the visiting African Americans are those who have traced their root to the Igbo race following DNA test adding that the visitors would visit the Aganabo Ezu n’ezu Omamala Confluence to pay homeage to Eri, the father of the Igbo race.
“We have received over 200 Africans Americans who tarces their root to the Igbo here. They come in batches every year. This year about 25 are coming” he added. Corrorabating the monarch, the Chairman of the planning committee Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka said the festival provides Ndigbo Ndigbo to retrace their root and unite with their ancestors assuring that everything is in good shape for the festival including tight security.
