OPINION: Delta PPEB Permanent Secretary Describes Culture As Key Aspects Of Any Society

By Magnus Emuji,

In keeping with the aged long traditions and customs of the good people of Ndokwa/ Ukwuani extractions and Onitcha-Ukwuani clan in particular, in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, the Onochieze 1 of Onitcha-Ukwuani, Chief Augustine Chukwuma, recently joined his people in celebrating the 2021 new yam and Amanwulu festivals.

The Onochieze of Onitcha-Ukwuani, Chief Augustine Chukwuma is the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Post Primary Education Board (PPEB) and whose outstanding performances in service delivery and contributions to the growth of the civil service earned him the appointment from the Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa who in 2020 appointed him as Permanent Secretary.

Every society has certain things in form of festivals, cultural heritage and traditions that often define it from other societies. These characteristics are unique and the people are therefore associated with their celebration either annually or biannually as the case may be obvious as a deliberate strategy to keep the tradition afloat.

For the record purpose, Chief Augustine Chukwuma has continued to discharge his functions with utmost diligence and had proven beyond all expectations that indeed, he is a role model to several individuals in society. He is humane, kind-hearted and always accessible to all and above all the Delta PPEB Permanent Secretary could be described as a quintessential administrator.

In acknowledgement of his relentless efforts towards the upliftment of his community and by extension, uncommon contributions to the growth of his Onitcha-Ukwuani kingdom, Chief Augustine Chukwuma was carefully selected by the Okpala-Uku of Onitcha-Ukwuani as the ‘ Onochieze ‘ of the community, literally means the eye of the Okpala-Uku’s especially in critical issues that bother on the growth and development of the area.

Ever since he became passionately involved in matters concerning the development of Onitcha-Ukwuani, Chief Augustine Chukwuma has maintained consistency and more commitments in taking his community to enviable heights. He always upholds a high sense of decorum and ensures collective opinions towards some salient decisions either in the community or official affairs.

And these actually defines him as a team player who believes so much in getting results in every assignment.

Outside being the holder of one of the most exalted traditional titles in the community, that is, the Onochieze, Chief Augustine Chukwuma, a lover of culture and traditions relishes so much joy in identifying with his people at all times in whatever they are doing.

The new yam festival of the people of Ukwuani and Ndeoshimili of Ndokwa/Ukwuani extractions is a period to celebrate the bountiful harvest and numerous blessings from God. It is designed to show appreciation to God as well as showcase the traditional endowment and rich cultural heritage of the people by extending arms to one another.

One of the sub celebration associated with the new yam festival is the roasting of yam, popularly known as ‘Otite’ which is followed immediately by the ‘Utor’. The Utor signifies the pounding of yams and eating of the pounded yam together with deliciously prepared soup preferably Banga soup with assorted dried fish and bush meat.

Speaking to journalists at Onitcha-Ukwuani in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state, the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Post Primary Education Board (PPEB), Chief Augustine Chukwuma described culture as key aspects of the history of a people, adding that Onitcha-Ukwuani and the entire Ndokwa and Ukwuani people were known for their rich cultural heritage and traditions.

Chukwuma, who doubles as the Onochieze 1 of Onitcha-Ukwuani said that as a chief in his community it was imperative for him to celebrate the new yam and Amanwulu festivals with his people in order to consolidate on the existing bond of oneness among his people. He said that Onitcha-Ukwuani was a peace-loving community, adding that the people were always accommodating.

The renowned community leader cum Permanent Secretary called on the people of every claim to sustain their culture and ensure that they should not unnecessarily be allowed to go into extinction, stressing that cultural festivals were not in any way fetish rather they should be embraced with all enthusiasm by all and sundry.

The Delta PPEB Permanent Secretary disclosed that the ‘ Amanwulu’ festival was intended to recognise the courage, determination and modest contributions of their great warriors for the protection of their kingdom from external invasion. He said that the festival was worth celebrating, noting that both the yam and Amanwulu festivals were veritable platforms aimed at fostering unity and peaceful coexistence among the given Onitcha-Ukwuani clans.

He described the 2021 edition of the festivals as successful and commended the people of Onitcha-Ukwuani for their peaceful dispositions before, during and after the celebration. The Onochieze of Onitcha-Ukwuani prayed God to continue to bless the land and also protect the lives of the indigenes of Onitcha-Ukwuani as well as those residing in the area, saying that 2022 festivals should be much better even as he advised the people to remain united as one indivisible family.

While admonishing youths in the area to eschew violence and other social vices, Chief Chukwuma urged them to always channel their energies and talents into meaningful ventures that could not only add value to their lives but would also benefit the society at large. He also charged them to be more productive and enterprising, reminding them that there was a positive reward in education.

On his appointment as Permanent Secretary, Delta State Post Primary Education Board, Asaba, by Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa led administration, Chief Chukwuma said that the recognition was commendable just as he appreciated the governor for finding him worthy of the appointment. He, however, enjoined the younger generation of civil servants to redouble their commitments in service delivery, pointing out that there was always a reward for hard work in every human endeavour.

He pledged to consistently justify his appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Delta State civil service, asserting that the recognition was yet another opportunity for him to contribute more meaningfully to the growth of the civil service in the state. Continuing, Chief Chukwuma lauded all staffers of the State Post Primary Education Board and those he had worked with within the course of his career for their cooperation and support at all times.