The Ihemes celebrate the return of Andrew Iheme.
3 min read
There is no way to express the joy that came upon the Uduakommiri Iheme siblings after the triumphant return of their brother Mr Andrew Iheme who went off the radar of social and family circles for more than 10 years without trace. As the family was almost about to permanently forget and seal issues relating to their brother, Mr Andrew Iheme who was living overseas, suddenly appeared from nowhere! The news of his appearance caught the attention of many Akalites like wildfire. Friends and family members who heard the news went to the Iheme family members both in and outside Nigeria to establish confirmation of the story.
On January 5 2025, the entire Iheme family of Obazi Isiozi Akah in Njaba LGA organized a “never before seen” party to welcome home their lost but found brother. Before the party picked up around 1 pm on the eventful day, a thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at St Joseph’ Catholic Parish Isiozi Akah to thank God for the return of Mr Andrew Iheme and to seek God’s protection for the entire family in years to come.
At the end of the Mass, the Iheme family and their extended family members and relations gathered together not only to celebrate Mr Andrew Iheme but also to take group photos with friends and well-wishers.
By 12 midday when the church service came to an end, friends and well-wishers went straight to the Iheme family house for the reception. When Umuaka Times reporters who covered the event arrived at the venue of the reception, many people from Isiozi, other parts of Umuaka and beyond had all gathered. Also on ground were some women’s groups, men’s groups and cultural dance troupes who came to entertain the guests.
A look at the VIP canopy showed that several Umuaka men and women who returned from overseas were comfortably seated and observing the events of the day with keen interest. Seated next to the VIP canopy although in another compound were the members of Isiozi Akah Council of Chiefs. It was in this particular compound that the chiefs were served and properly entertained exclusively.
The live band that was thrilling the guests during the home coming reception did her best in dishing out popular highlife songs as well as other genre of music that really electrified the atmosphere of fun and entertainment throughout the duration of the reception.
When the master of the ceremony was convinced that enough people had gathered, he called for an opening prayer which he personally conducted. After the opening prayer, the next thing that followed was the presentation of kola nuts which the service boys and girls made sure went round the entire canopies.
Musical entertainments by diverse music groups followed immediately. It was indeed a collection of several versions of musical entertainments and guests had good time watching groups of their choices. A DJ who was also present at the event had no dull moments blasting the atmosphere with heavy metal Nigerian Afrobeats songs.
The Ihemes, Chief Emma Iheme, Andrew, Tony and Roland never had a minute of their own as they were seen moving from one canopy to another giving directives and assistance to ensure the success of the big show.
The welcome party of Mr Andrew Iheme was not only a thanksgiving reception but it was also a reunion of some sort to an uncountable number of Akalites who never saw or met themselves in the last couple of years. Umuaka Times reporters were busy taking record of such activities that constituted a better part of the show.
According to an elderly Isiozi man who spoke with Umuaka Times on the condition of anonymity, the return of Mr Andrew Iheme was an avenue God used to restore hope to many families across Igboland who are undergoing such similar and deep confusion. “For such families, they do not know if their lost members are dead or not but one day, they will return like Mr Andrew Iheme.”
