The Governor encouraged the people of Mbaise to continue in their zeal to uphold there culture and traditions.
He said:” I want to encourage you and commend you for keeping and making this annual ritual a treasure for the entire Mbaise nation.
“Iriji Mbaise is a very symbolic and significant event that has become an annual ritual and today is a special day because I have seen every section of Mbaise nation represented in this event here.
He said that the main message that the festival promotes is brotherly and sisterly love which is most paramount in Imo state.
“Of course, Iriji Mbaise transcends politics, it is a cultural thing, it is a brotherly and sisterly thing, it is something that is symbolic that must be used to remember the heritage we have.
“Every heritage is a treasure, and I think this is also a treasure to the owner. So I urge you to hold your treasure very tight.
“I am saying to the politicians in Mbaise, to differentiate between culture and traditions and know when to play politics and when not to play politics.”