By Mary Ugorji
The Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Urban Development Hon. CDB Williams, has called on the people of Owerri Nchi Ise to embrace peace, unity and harmony as they celebrate the Oru Owere Cultural Festival.
Speaking to newsmen in his home in Owerri, the former APC House of Reps Candidate said Oru Owere Cultural Festival is a period when indigenes of Owere Nchi Ise, comprising of five communities remember their origin by gathering to celebrate with one another.
Narrating the history of Owere people, CDB Williams stated that Owerri people celebrate the sojourn of their proginator from Umuorii Urrata to a place called Ugwu Ekwema where they finally settled as a result of the quarrel that emanated between Ekwema Arugo and his brother after the death of their father.
“History has it that Ekwema escaped from being killed by the brother as a result of the quarrel and settled in a place presently called Owerri”, he explained.
CDB Williams advised Owerri people not to forget their cultural heritage even as urbanisation has eroded the culture of the people, stating that there was need for every Owere person to speak an undiluted Owerri dialect which he said is a means of identification.
He expressed dismay that some crimes committed in Owerri land may be traced to some strangers and called for a peaceful coexistence among both indigenes and non indigenes .
The government functionary urged Owerri people to remain focused and maintain a healthy relationship as brothers and avoid any form of dispute as he acknowledged that it is not very easy for people to live in peace in an urban setting.
The development driven politician remarked that the values and customs of the people should be revived amid infiltration.
He thanked Imo State government for the rate of infrastructural development in Owerri.
