Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has cautioned members of the Izhi Nnodo clan against selling ancestral lands, family compounds and burial grounds, warning that such actions could disconnect future generations from their heritage.
Nwifuru gave the warning during the weekend at Amagu, the ancestral home of the Izhi Nnodo people, where he attended the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival.
The Ebonyi governor said inherited lands and ancestral properties should not be treated solely as commercial assets because they carry the history, identity and memories of generations.
He expressed concern over cases where families sell properties belonging to their forefathers, including burial grounds and ancestral compounds.
According to him, such sales undermine the sacrifices made by previous generations to secure and preserve the land for their descendants.
Nwifuru urged elders, traditional rulers, youths and religious leaders in Izhi Nnodo to work together to protect the clan’s cultural heritage and ensure that important ancestral values are preserved.
The governor also spoke against what he described as the growing confusion between religion and traditional values.
He said practices that promote peaceful coexistence, respect for elders, communal responsibility, dignity of labour and unity should not automatically be abandoned because of religious beliefs.
Nwifuru maintained that religion and culture are distinct, stressing that positive cultural values can coexist with religious convictions.
The governor also urged members of the Izhi community not to allow political differences ahead of the 2027 general elections to damage longstanding relationships within the clan.
He acknowledged the right of individuals to contest elections on opposition platforms but advised politicians and their supporters to pursue their ambitions without creating divisions within the community.
Nwifuru further warned against using social media to escalate political disagreements or attack leaders, urging people with grievances to use appropriate channels to seek redress.
Defending his administration’s performance, the governor said Ebonyi State had recorded significant infrastructure development, particularly in the road sector.
He claimed that his administration had completed more than 500 kilometres of roads across the state’s 13 local government areas, including roads linking Ebonyi with neighbouring states.
Nwifuru subsequently called on the people of Ebonyi to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections, saying the party would seek to retain its political influence across the state.
He said the administration’s objective was to consolidate its development programmes and secure electoral victories for APC candidates at the presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly levels.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Ojiji Izhi cultural event, Edward Nkwegu, said the annual festival remained an avenue for preserving and passing down values inherited from the ancestors.
Nkwegu identified good morals, sincerity, hard work, justice, equity and fairness among the principles associated with the Izhi people.
He expressed concern over what he described as the declining observance of traditional values among young people, citing modernisation and Western cultural influence as contributing factors.
The Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, political stakeholders, youths, women and other members of the Izhi Nnodo clan.
The gathering provided an opportunity for the people to celebrate the new yam harvest while reaffirming their commitment to preserving the cultural identity and heritage of the Izhi people in Ebonyi State.
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