Felix Mbata, Lagos state
The Annual New Yam / Cultural Festival Celebration (Iri‑ji) and Launching of 2026 Almanac, held at the palace of Eze Peter C. Umeh (JP), Ezechimereze Onyeisi Ndigbo 1 Na Mushin, brought together Ndigbo, leaders of different tribes, Ezendigbo, Igbo cultural dancers, masquerades, Clifford Kidney Foundation, friends, colleagues, and well‑wishers. The vibrant gathering was marked by joy, gratitude, and heartfelt emotions, creating an atmosphere of unity and cultural pride.
Central to the day’s success was the strong, mutually respectful relationship between Eze Peter C. Umeh (JP) and Hon. Tunbosun Haruna Aruwa, the Mushin Local Government Chairman. Their visible camaraderie underscored a shared vision for development and harmonious coexistence in Mushin, setting a tone of cooperation that resonated throughout the festival.
EXCERPT
It was a vibrant gathering filled with cultural displays, masquerades, and traditional dances such as Atilogu, symbolizing unity among the Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, and other tribes. Eze Peter C. Umeh (JP), Ezechimereze Onyeisi Ndigbo 1 Na Mushin, in an interview with the press, praised the Mushin Local Government Chairman, Hon. Tunbosun Haruna Aruwa, describing him as a great blessing to Mushin and noting his remarkable performance within his first 100 days in office. He highlighted that Hon. Aruwa has been swift in fulfilling campaign promises, constructing roads, and ensuring the dividend of democracy reaches the people.
When asked about the purpose of the gathering, Eze Umeh explained, “We are here to do the normal things we have been doing since 18 years ago, we thank God, because God kept us alive… when you plant a crop, it germinates, it brings out big crops – it is God’s doing.” He rated the event highly, thanking God for the favourable atmosphere and urging participants to respect the indigenes and their cultures while maintaining their own traditions.
He also spoke on the inclusion of Clifford Kidney Foundation, stating, “There is a way God created me to sacrifice for the less‑privileged in the society, we normally visit orphanages, schools for the blind and deaf, giving them what we can and praying for them.”
Regarding his title, Eze Umeh clarified the addition of “Onyeisi Ndigbo 1 Na Mushin” to his name, noting it was a decision made with Igwe’s from the South East to align with cultural protocols and avoid confusion.
From your invitation car, you invited the Mushin Local Government Chairman, Hon. Tunbosun Haruna Aruwa, as Special Guest of Honour, how do you rate Hon. Aruwa’s performance within his One Hundred days in Office as Mushin Local Government Chairman?
His is performing credible well, he started very well, and most of the roads he is doing now dosent take him time to construct. You know he is still a young man, he works as a young man, and he is smart, articulate, purposeful, delight, dedicated and detriblised leader. And all his campaign promises, he is fulfilling them within the One Hundred Days in Office. When I visited him in his office, I talk to him about our street road, and he promised to come and measure it and assess the damage, and within few days, he came with his team of engineers and measure it, and definitely he will construct the road as he has been doing on other roads in Mushin. He ensures that citizens in Mushin are enjoying dividend of democracy. Hon. Aruwa is making us happy, I know how much I spent on the road, after raining season, some place will not be as smooth as it is used to before. To make the road motorable, I thank Aruwa for his sincerity and committed in making Mushin people happy within his One Hundred days in office. He is doing wonderfully well, and God will continue to protect him and guide him.
WORDS OF APPRECIATION
We sincerely thank the Almighty God for the success of this celebration, the entire Igbo community, all tribes, cultural groups, masquerades, Clifford Kidney Foundation, friends, colleagues, well‑wishers, and especially Eze Peter C. Umeh (JP) and his cabinet for their visionary leadership. We also appreciate Hon. Tunbosun Haruna Aruwa, the Special Guest of Honour, for his dedication to the development of Mushin. The relationship between Eze Umeh and Hon. Aruwa is a shining example of unity and cooperation, and we pray that God continues to bless and guide them.
CONCLUSION
The one‑day Annual New Yam / Cultural Festival Celebration (Iri‑ji) and Launching of 2026 Almanac stands as a testament to the unity, cultural heritage, and progress of the Igbo community in Mushin. The event highlighted the strong bond between Eze Peter C. Umeh (JP), Ezechimereze Onyeisi Ndigbo 1 Na Mushin, and Hon. Tunbosun Haruna Aruwa, and their commitment to the development of Mushin. May this spirit of togetherness continue to flourish, bringing prosperity, peace, and lasting legacies for generations to come.
God bless Eze Peter C. Umeh (JP), Hon. Tunbosun Haruna Aruwa, and the entire Ndigbo community.