Igwe Nnewi makes case for made-in-Nigeria goods

The traditional ruler of Nnewi, Anambra State, His Royal Highness, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III, has commended the management of Eastern Distilleries and Foods Industries Limited for sustaining the quality of Omega Aromatic Schnapps, one of its premium brands.

He urged Nigerians to patronize the locally made product, which according to him is of high quality.

Igwe Orizu made the commendation at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Afia-Olu (new yam) festival, which was held at the Boys High School, Nnewi, where he also announced the adoption of Omega Aromatic Schnapps, as the official schnapps at all events in the community.

Igwe Orizu, who is the grand patron of Anambra Traditional Rulers Council, attributed the choice of Omega to its world class features, and especially the non return valve technology that guarantees the liquid content of the product.

He applauded the ingenuity of the management of Eastern Distilleries and Food Ind. Ltd. owners of Omega Aromatic Schnapps brand and noted that the product is highly recommended at marriage ceremonies and other festivities and commended them for sustaining the quality of the product.

Innocent Nwaogwugwu, brand ambassador, Omega Aromatic Schnapps, in his presentation at the event, expressed gratitude to the Igwe and the entire Nnewi community for selecting Omega as its preferred schnapps.

“I am happy that the Igwe and all the Obis’ in the community have adopted Omega Aromatic Schnapps as the official drink of Nnewi. It is not only the schnapps of Nnewi, but the Schnapps of Ndi-Igbo and of the whole Nigeria.

He stated that Omega schnapps is well refined, which makes it the first choice of schnapps enthusiasts.

According to him, Nnewi people did not make a mistake in their choice as, our ancestors are spirits and only a good spirit can awaken their souls and the only good spirit that can awaken our ancestors is Omega Schnapps.

Afia-Olu, which attracts indigenes of the community in diaspora and foreigners, is a traditional festival held annually in Nnewi around August. It commences on “Eke” day with what is traditionally described as “Iwaji” (scaling of yam) and Ikpa Nku (wood gathering), that heralds the availability of new yam as well as thanksgiving to God.

The festival includes a variety of entertainments including performance of ceremonial rites by the Igwe, cultural dance and masquerades.

Yam is the main agricultural crop of Ndi-Igbo in the South-East region of Nigeria, and also the staple food of her people. The New Yam Festival known as ‘Iwa-Ji ohuu’ or ‘Iri-Ji Ohuu’ is a celebration depicting the prominence of yam in the social-cultural life of Ndi-Igbo. During the festival, the people thank God for the arrival of the new harvest of yams and perform traditional rites to declare the new yam fit for general consumption.