Gov Nwifuru warns kinsmen against selling ancestral lands, graves

Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has cautioned the Izhi Nnodo clan against the hasty sale of ancestral lands, burial grounds, and family compounds. He made this warning during the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival, held in Amagu, the clan's ancestral home. Nwifuru emphasized that ancestral land embodies the history, identity, and collective memory of the people, urging families to preserve these properties for future generations.

He cautioned against the erosion of indigenous values for the sake of religion, modernity, or political motives. Nwifuru stressed that ancestral land is not merely a commodity but a legacy that requires protection. He appealed to elders, traditional rulers, youths, and religious leaders to safeguard the clan's cultural heritage, distinguishing between legitimate cultural traditions and practices that conflict with religious or moral principles.

Nwifuru also highlighted the importance of respecting elders, valuing hard work, maintaining peace, unity, and communalism as core values that historically defined the Izhi people.

The governor cautioned against conflating religion with tradition and warned that political disagreements should not drive a wedge between clan members ahead of the 2027 elections. He encouraged political candidates to pursue their ambitions peacefully and in the best interest of the people, while discouraging the misuse of social media to incite political crises.

Nwifuru defended his administration's achievements, particularly in infrastructure development, noting that over 500 kilometers of roads have been constructed across the 13 Local Government Areas. He urged the people to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming elections, expressing confidence in their victory.

Earlier, Ojiji Izhi cultural event chairman, Edward Nkwegu, lamented the erosion of traditional values among youths, attributing it to modernity and Western influences. The festival brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, political stakeholders, youths, and women to celebrate the new yam harvest and preserve the clan's cultural heritage.