Orie Uratta market square, opposite the secretariat of Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State was agog with captivating activities, Tuesday, February, 11, 2025 as indigenes of the six autonomous communities that makes up the Uratta clan, alongside their traditional rulers, Nde Oha, Presidents General, in-laws, friends and well wishers dressed in colour resplendent attires depicting cultural nature of the occasion converged there to celebrate this year’s Onwa Oru cultural festival, that is adjudged by many as the best in the anals of history.
The festival which unites and bonds sons and daughters of Uratta clan offered a unique opportunity for the women and youths of the different communities to showcase their cultural dances and masquerades respectively as the audience gyrated ecstatically to the sonorous music emanating from the dance groups and those rendered by the live band.
The event was indeed more like a carnival as top notch personalities including traditional rulers, technocrats, academics, government officials and business moguls from far and near came to felicitate and enjoy the Onwa Oru cultural festival with their relatives, friends and associates from the Uratta clan.
In his welcome address the National President General (NPG) of (UDA), organizers of the cultural festival Engr Stanley Ukaga, said, “Our distinguished Royal Fathers, Nde Oha, our sons, daughters and in-laws of Uratta, our highly esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is with great joy and gratitude to God Almighty that I welcome you all to this year’s Onwa Oru Cultural Festival. This is a time when we all come together as one people to celebrate our rich cultural heritage, of peace, unity, and progress. This festival is not just a moment of festivity but also an opportunity to reflect on our achievements and discuss the way forward for the continued development of Ala Uratta.
You may have noticed my deliberate use of the words Uratta Development Union as my heading and wondered. It is with great pleasure that I stand before you and announce that by 4 pm yesterday, February 10, 2025 the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) sent our Incorporated Trustees Certificate and approved constitution. We are now officially known as Uratta Development Association (UDA)
Celebrating Our Achievements
In the past year, our community has witnessed remarkable progress, especially in infrastructural development. The ongoing transformation of Orie Uratta is a testament to our collective efforts and commitment to growth. With the rebuilding of our civic center, the newly built garri processing plant and the proposed reactivation of our Orie market, which has long been abandoned, these developments will transform this venue into a major economic hub for our people. With these planned community-driven initiatives and with the support of stakeholders, we have made strides in: Grading our roads and desilting the drainage systems, to reduce the effects of flooding and thus enhancing movement in our locality is our collective responsibility.
With the newly built borehole and piping of water into the current restrooms, we are improving sanitation and waste management, ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for all. These developments are only the beginning. I urge every one of us to continue supporting initiatives that will drive further progress for the good of all..
Addressing Security Challenges: The Need for Uratta Security Network
As we celebrate our achievements, we must also acknowledge the pressing need to tackle insecurity in our beloved Uratta clan. We have witnessed across all of our communities, cases of theft, burglary, and other criminal activities threatening the peace and safety of our people.
These criminal activities are also rampant in our Uratta Secondary School and here at Ime Orie. To effectively address these challenges, we are proposing the establishment of the Uratta Security Network (USN)—an Uratta clan based security outfit designed to: Work in collaboration with law enforcement agencies to safeguard lives and properties. Strengthen local vigilance and intelligence gathering to prevent crimes before they occur.
Ensure the security of our markets, homes, and public spaces, foster a safer environment for businesses to thrive.
This initiative is being headed by 2 of our illustrious sons, Chief Henry Njoku CP Rtd. Retired Rear Admiral Joe Manujibeya and myself. We require the support of all Uratta sons and daughters. Security is a collective responsibility, and together, we can build a safe, peaceful, and prosperous Uratta for ourselves and future generations.
In conclusion, as we immerse ourselves in the beauty of our culture today, let us remain committed to the progress of Uratta. I encourage everyone to support the ongoing development projects in Ime Orie and the proposed Uratta Security Network, ensuring that our community will continue to flourish in peace and prosperity.
Once again, I welcome you all to this grand celebration. May the spirit of Onwa Oru be continually sustained”.
Some of the dignitaries present at the event include, the traditional rulers of the six autonomous communities in Uratta clan with their recognized Nde Oha and Presidents General, the member, representing Owerri North State Constituency in the Imo state House of Assembly, Hon Kelechi Ofurum, the chairman of Owerri North LGA, Hon Lucky Abaraonye, Onye Ishi Ala Uratta, Oha Peter Emeribe, who announces the date of Onwa Oru, Chairman of the occasion, Oke Nze Raphael Njoku, Onye Ishi Ala Emekuku, the traditional ruler of Okwe autonomous community, his counterpart, HRH, Eze Raymond Iheanyi Odoemena of Onuimo, the Palace Secretary of Obibi Uratta autonomous community, Hon Jude, including other prominent sons and daughters of Uratta clan who have made their marks in different spheres of human endeavour.
Most of those who spoke to this reporter in separate interviews at the event, doffed their hats for the Chairman of the festival’s Organizing Committee, Nze Ralph Njoku Obi and his team for doing a very good job that culminated in a very successful outing. They also commended Engr Stanley Ukaga and his exco for their focused, purposeful and people-oriented leadership that has changed the narrative and impacted positively on the community in different verifiable ways.
