By Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
Nigeria:2025 Onwa Oru Uratta Festival Mgboto Uratta Global Commends Eze Ariri, other Ezes In Uratta …calls for peace, Unity and progress
The Traditional Ruler of Obibi Uratta Ancient Kingdom, HRH Eze Boniface Ariri has been commended for his selfless and all inclusive style of leadership .
Hon Chief Nkiru Olivia Ijeoma née Ofoegbu( LSM JP)National President Mgboto Uratta Global who made the commendation during the 2025 Onwa Oru Uratta Festival at Orie Uratta, maintained that Eze Boniface Ariri has shown capacity and maturity in handing the socioeconomic and cultural values and traditions of Uratta people.
Lady Ijeoma who also used the opportunity to call for peace, Unity and progress among the indigenes of Uratta Clan, however maintained that Mgboto Uratta Global will continue to support and partner with Uratta Development Association and other good spirited sons and daughters towards the development of Uratta Clan.
The 2025 Onwa Oru Uratta Festival which took place at Orie Uratta, on Tuesday February 11th, 2025 hosted by the National President General of Uratta Development Association UDA Engr. Stanley Ukaga , under the chairmanship of Chief Sir Uzoma Obinna witnessed the presence of high profiled personalities and captains of industry who graced the occasion amongst whom are the Clan heads , President Generals of the town union of Ofo-Asato Mba-iri , Nde Oha , Uratta Development Association members , indigenes and custodians of culture in the entire Uratta communities.
HRH. Eze Amb. Boniface Ariri (Eze udo the iv of Obibi Uratta Ancient kingdom) in his at the occasion expressed happiness on the year’s event, describing the Onwa-Oru festival as a cultural celebration which marks not only the beginning of the farming season of rich heritage and history of Uratta Ofor Asato but also serves as a reflection of the unity, resilience, and vibrancy that the people of Uratta stand for.
He disclosed that the Onwa Oru Uratta festival is also marked to sustain the traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation by the fore Fathers, nothing that the year’s event is a unique outing .
Eze Ariri pledged his continual support to his subjects as he showered blessings on them and commended the milestone in Uratta cultural calendar , adding that It is a testament to the collective strength and commitment to preserving the Uratta cultural heritage .
Eze Ariri also enjoined the people of his community to continue in their peaceful disposition and be law abiding as he thanked the organizers for their efforts on the 2025 event.
According to an abridged history of Onwa Oru Uratta festival.
The announcement of the date for Onwaoru Uratta marks the beginning of a new planting season and the abstinence from rancour, quarrelling, fighting, and mourning.
The season is a harbinger for reconciliation. During this season, peace and tranquillity reigns in all constituent communities of Uratta land, as funerals are also forbidden, Once the date ( usually on Orie -ukwu day) is fixed by Onyeishi-ala Uratta, nde-oha Uratta will go to all traditional rulers to inform them and collect ego ishi-opi .
On the day of Onwa oru festival, every constituent community is expected to fire cannon shots ( egbe ishi-ala) to announce the big event. Communities in Uratta (Uratta ofo asatọ mbam-iri)
However, Uratta is a town located in Owerri North Local government area of Imo State of Nigeria. It was gathered that URATTA first settled at ORIE Uratta Market Square. He gave birth to two sons Obibi the first and Ihitaoha, Obibi had four sons namely in order of seniority Alum, ORII, OBAOCHE and OKWU. Also Ihitaoha had four sons namely in order of seniority OWALLA,, OWAELU, UMUNAHU and ORJI. Due to population explosion, they now settle in ten villages.with the inclusion of Amakohia Uratta and Akwakuma Uratta , have their origins from Owaelu and Umunahu.
