There was jubilation in Ogu/Bolo LGA of Rivers state as the people of Ogu Kingdom celebrated the initiation of young virgins into womanhood during the famous Iria ceremony.

It is reported that the ceremony happened on Saturday, December 2, 2023. The Iria ceremony is an ancient ceremony that marks the transition of girls who are usually virgins into womanhood.

The virgins were given certificates by the Ogu council of chiefs for passing through the test. Iria is considered a rite of passage for young girls as they reach puberty and begin to mature physically.

To pass through the test, the girls must first be virgins which will be checked by women of the town, then they will be kept in a room where they will undergo training on womanhood.

After passing through this process, the qualified girls will be given certificates showing that they are now adult ladies ready to marry. It’s an Okrika-Ijaw ceremony that dates back to the 17th century.