From the wee hours of Saturday, 16th August, 2025, the vibrant town of Ihitteafoukwu in Ahiazu Mbaise local government area of Imo state came alive with celebrations to herald the completion of the sacred traditional rights of HRM Eze (Dr) Okwudiri Divine Nwandu and Ugoeze Adaku Nwandu as Akaraka III and Ugoeze Akaraka III respectively.
The joy of the people of Ihitteafoukwu knew no bounds, as they had waited for a long time since the demise of their previous monarch and were even more elated with the divine signs that surrounded the coronation ceremony, which all bore witness to the fact that Eze Nwandu was indeed a divine choice.
Celebrations of the coronation events of the new monarch later got to a crescendo with the Iri-Ji celebration which held at the expansive palace ground of the Akaraka III.
The palace came alive with colour, grandeur, and cultural magnificence, as the people turned out in multitude to honour the throne with traditional dances adorned in regal attire and radiant hues.
Sons and daughters of Ihitteafoukwu, alongside friends and well wishers, filled out to the palace with music, dance and unrestrained jubilation.
The coronation/Iri Ji event is not merely an observance, but a profound expression of loyalty, reverence, and communal pride that defines the Ihitteafoukwu people, a testament to the deep-seated devotion and admiration that the people hold for their king, and a celebration of shared heritage and identity.
The traditional wrestling, which is a brainchild of Eze Nwandu, continues to be a majestic reminder of the richness of our culture and another great way of getting our youths off hard drugs, cultism as well as encouraging them to embrace a Healthy life style, the total prize money for this year’s winners received N2 million while Eze Nwandu announced an increment of N4 million for next year’s winners of the wrestling contest.
To spice it up, Chief Ignatius Okafor elected to sponsor the female traditional wrestling competition billed to debut next year with a sum of N2 million.
The event also featured the conferment of several chieftaincy titles by king on notable sons and friends of the kingdom.
The monarch charged well-meaning sons and daughters of Ihitteafoukwu to join in the proposed renovation of the Ihitteafoukwu Civic Centre which he described as one of the symbols of Ihitteafoukwu unity.
Promptly answering the clarion call, Chief Ignatius Okafor, who was conferred with the title of Oputa Obie 1 of Ihitteafoukwu, donated 200 bags of cement for the renovation of the civic centre.
The event was attended by members of the Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, Amity Friends International, among other dignitaries.