2025 Onwa Oru Uratta Festival: Mgboto Uratta Global Commends Eze Ariri …calls for peace, Unity and progress 

By Anyi Lemchi

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, 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.