Eze Eberechi Dick Celebrates 2025 New Yam Festival in Grand Style
The serene Ancient Kingdom of Mgboko Ngwa Amaise in Obingwa LGA of Abia State was aglow with colour, culture, and celebration on Thursday, October 16, 2025 as His Eminence, Eze (Dr.) Eberechi Dick (JP) hosted the 2025 New Yam Festival with grandeur.
The celebration, held at the Eze’s Palace, was chaired by Hon. Peter Azubuike, MD/CEO of Petbridge (Nig.) Ltd and Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) and Abia Arise in Obingwa.
The event attracted a galaxy of traditional rulers, politicians, business moguls, and cultural enthusiasts from far and near in a show of love, unity and appreciation of Igbo cultural heritage.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Azubuike described the New Yam Festival
as a timeless celebration of harvest, peace, unity and gratitude, applauding Eze Eberechi Dick for keeping the tradition alive and fostering a sense of cultural continuity.
He prayed for continued peace, love, and progress in the community and wished Eze Dick long life, good health and prosperity.
In his welcome address, read by one of his sons, Hon. Prince Azubuike Eberechi Dick, the revered Royal Father expressed deep appreciation to all who attended.
He emphasized that the New Yam Festival is a purely cultural event of thanksgiving to God for a bountiful harvest and urged other traditional rulers to remain committed to promoting Igbo culture and language.
The Ezeudo 1 of Mgboko Ngwa Amaise Ancient Kingdom and former chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers used the opportunity to advocate for equity in federal appointments and greater investment in agriculture to boost food production.
He lauded the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) for his quality leadership and monumental achievements in the state within a short time in office, especially the reconstruction of the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road, Aba by Julius Berger, the expansion of Ossah Road, Umuahia to six lanes among others.
He appealed to the Governor to give urgent attention to the dilapidated Akpuga Mgboko Anya Road in his area.
He pledged the community’s unwavering support for his re-election bid in 2027 saying that they have adopted him as their sole candidate.
He emphasized that his predecessors’ – Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator T. A. Orji and Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu governed the state for eight years respectively adding that it is only natural, just, fair and equitable for Dr. Alex Chioma Otti who has performed so well within two years in office to govern the state for eight years like them.
He described the level of transformation in the state within two years of Dr. Alex Otti’s administration as ‘unprecedented’ and wondered how Abia State would be after the remaining two years of his first term and another four years.
He called on all Abians irrespective of political affiliations to support Dr. Alex Otti’s impactful and people-oriented administration for a better Abia State.
The high point of the event was the ceremonial presentation and cutting of the New Yam by Eze Dick. He took a slice of the roasted new yam, dipped it in palm oil and ate it.
The crowd erupted in applause as the ceremony signaled joy, renewal, thanksgiving and eating of the new yam in the community.
Thereafter, short speeches and appreciations by some dignitaries and various groups followed.
In his remarks, HRM Eze Sir Linus Nto Mbah (KSS, KSM), the Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers commended Eze Eberechi Dick for his exceptional leadership and massive efforts in preserving Igbo culture describing him as a pillar of tradition and a unifying force in the area.
The chairman on the occasion, Hon. Peter Azubuike expressed immense satisfaction with the New Yam Festival and appreciated Eze Eberechi Dick for sustaining the culture.
On his part, the first son of the legendary monarch, Prince Bobby Ugochukwu Dick, the MD/CEO of Bobby Group of Companies expressed gratitude and joy at the continued celebration of the New Yam Festival in the community and prayed for continued health of his father and the entire people.
Speaking, Hon. Mrs. Victoria Dibumma Onwubiko, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee and MD/CEO of Abia State Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSAA) on behalf of the Obingwa women commended Eze Eberechi Dick for hosting the New Yam Festival wishing him long life, good health and prosperity.
The beautiful, amiable, eloquent, indefatigable and quintessential MD/CEO, of ABSAA described the ceremony as wonderful and thanked God for keeping them alive to witness it.
Similarly, Chief Theo Nkire, accompanied by Arch. Dan Nwankwo (Dan Gov) and other members of Aba Union said that they came to identify with their member, Eze Eberechi Dick on the colourful occasion.
They appreciated him for sustaining the New Yam Festival in the community and wished him long life, good health and prosperity.
The Mayor of Obingwa LGA, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike lauded Eze Eberechi Dick for sustaining the New Yam Festival and assured him of his unalloyed support in promoting the festival.
In his speech, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti represented by his Special Adviser on Investment Promotion and Public Private Partnership, High Chief J. N. Green Amaekwe and his Agriculture counterpart, Hon. Prince Chris Enweremadu lauded His Eminence, Eze Eberechi Dick for his remarkable leadership in the area and beyond and thanked God for sustaining him on the throne over the years.
He described the New Yam Festival as an integral part of Igbo cultural heritage and assured him that his administration would not relent in reviving, promoting and preserving Igbo culture and tradition.
The celebration also featured conferment of chieftaincy titles and awards of excellence to individuals who have contributed to the development of the community.
Among the recipients was Engr. Chidindu Amaechi, represented by his brother, Dr. Martin Amaechi, former Head of the Department of Languages, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.
He expressed gratitude on behalf of the family to Eze Eberechi Dick for the honour and assured that it would spur him to do more for the community.
The New Yam Festival climaxed with traditional dances, cultural displays, and a grand reception.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were HRM Eze Nelson Achilefu Nmerengwa, HRM Eze Franklin Nwosu, HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe, HRH Eze Elder Ogbonna Josiah Nwaenyoghi, HRH Eze Nnamdi Ahuwa Njoku, Hon. Rowland Anyanwu, Emenike Okoro among others.
The Festival was more than a celebration — it was a statement of cultural pride, resilience, and hope for the future of Mgboko Ngwa Amaise, which has continued to stand out as a beacon of tradition, unity and progress in Abia State under the remarkable leadership of Eze Eberechi Dick.
