Ohuhu New Yam Festival Pulls Crowd in Aba
The President General, Ohuhu Clan Welfare Union, Aba Branch, Chief Okechukwu David Ekeoba has lauded their 2024 New Yam Festival in Aba as a huge success.
He said that it made an indelible impact on the culture and tradition of Abia State and Ndigbo in general assuring that they would continue to celebrate it in the years ahead with unprecedented pomp.
According to him, the New Yam Festival of Ohuhu Clan Welfare Union, Aba Branch held at CS Park, 148-166 Market Road, Aba on Sunday, October 13, 2024 attracted the presence of so many illustrious sons and daughters of Ohuhu from far and near including other distinguished personalities.
He disclosed that they celebrated it in a big way this time to showcase their rich cultural heritage in Aba, Abia State and the world at large.
Chief Okechukwu David Ekeoba said that they used to celebrate the New Yam Festival every year either at Hills Hotels Beverly, Ogbor Hill, Aba or Hills Hotels at 210 Clifford Road, Aba but decided to celebrate it this year at the popular CS Park to accommodate more people and events.
He appreciated the illustrious sons and daughters of Ohuhu for their tremendous contributions to the success of the event and prayed God to continue to bless them.
The highpoint of the New Yam Festival was the cutting of the roasted new yam (Iwa ji) by the Royal Father of the Day, HRM Eze Nzenwata Mbakwe, the traditional ruler of Umuosu Okaiuga Nkwoegwu Autonomous Community in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State.
In his remarks, the quintessential traditional ruler and former Deputy Vice Chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council thanked God for keeping them alive to celebrate the New Yam Festival this year.
He appreciated the large out describing it as an eloquent testimony that Igbo culture is waxing stronger this time.
He lauded the President General of Ohuhu Clan Welfare Union, Aba Branch, Chief Okechukwu David Ekeoba and his team for their total commitment to ensure the huge success of the event.
He urged the people to embrace farming to boost food sufficiency in the nation and continue to remain united, peaceful, hardworking and law-abiding.
He prayed God to grant them long life, good health, prosperity and more successful celebrations in the years ahead.
Thereafter, the expansive arena turned into a carnival of sorts as the various villages in Ohuhu in Umuahia North local government area of Abia State thrilled the large turnout with their unique cultural displays including the popular Ekpe and other masquerades.
The memorable event climaxed with presentation of awards to well deserving personalities in Ohuhu including Chuks Akamadu, Chief Smart Nwokorie, the Chairman of Umuopara Ahia Asaa Council of Chiefs and Abia State Pillar of Culture among others.
In the end, the following personalities bared their minds on the occasion in a chat with newsmen.
Speaking, the Special Guest of Honour and member representing Umuahia North State Constituency, Hon. Barr. Anderson Kelechi Akaliro expressed satisfaction with the annual cultural event in Igbo land.
He commended Ohuhu Clan Welfare Union, Aba Branch for hosting the colourful cultural event adding that they have done them proud by showcasing their rich cultural heritage in Aba, Abia State and beyond.
He congratulated the awardees for the honour done them in recognition of their contributions to the development of Ohuhu and selfless services to humanity adding that the award would spur them to do more.
The popular and vibrant legislator called for the adoption of Igbo language as the official language in primary and secondary schools and even in the Houses of Assembly in the Southeast as a way of promoting Igbo language.
On his part, one of the awardees and immediate past President General of Ohuhu Welfare Union, Abuja Branch, Chuks Akamadu expressed profound gratitude to God and the people for the honour done him.
He promised to continue to do his best for the development of Ohuhu and preservation of their cultural heritage for the upcoming generations.
He described the New Yam Festival as an exciting homecoming, which affords them the opportunity to come together to celebrate their rich cultural heritage adding that a people without a culture is a people without identity.
Contributing, the President General, Ohuhu Clan Welfare Union Worldwide, Royal High Chief Okechukwu Johnson Uwazie (Nwachukwuguzoro 1 of Ohuhu Land), thanked God for the spectacular event.
He expressed delight to be part and parcel of the great cultural event adding that he has always identified himself with whatever Ohuhu Clan Welfare Union, Aba Branch has been doing over the years.
He commended them for organizing the unforgettable event, especially HRM Eze Nzenwata Mbakwe for his continued support, Chief Okechukwu David Ekeoba, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, who is now the national treasurer of Ohuhu Welfare Union Worldwide among others for their unwavering commitment to the growth of Ohuhu Clan Welfare Union in all ramifications.
He assured that they would continue to celebrate the annual cultural event because it brings peace, unity and progress in Ohuhu and the entire Igbo land.
