ABAUKWU ANCIENT KINGDOM CELEBRATES NEW YAM FESTIVAL IN GRAND STYLE

ABAUKWU ANCIENT KINGDOM CELEBRATES NEW YAM FESTIVAL IN GRAND STYLE

HRM Eze Monday Ugbor Reaffirms Support for Otti’s 2027 Re-election Bid; Honours Dr. Mike Okoro, Umeora, Enyinnaya, Others

It was a spectacular celebration of culture, thanksgiving, unity and community development as the people of Abaukwu Ancient Kingdom in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State celebrated their annual New Yam Festival amid pomp, pageantry and an impressive gathering of traditional rulers, political leaders, captains of industry, community stakeholders and other distinguished guests.

The historic celebration, hosted by the traditional ruler of the kingdom, HRM Eze Monday I. E. Ugbor, the Eze Ukwu Omereoha II of Abaukwu, took place at his palace on Saturday, October 24, 2026, attracting an impressive turnout of illustrious sons and daughters of Abaukwu, friends, well-wishers and dignitaries from within and outside Abia State.

Beyond its cultural significance, the festival provided an opportunity to offer thanksgiving to God, preserve Igbo heritage and recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves through service, leadership and contributions to community development.

Speaking during the traditional cutting of the roasted New Yam, Eze Monday Ugbor expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving their lives and granting them the opportunity to celebrate another New Yam Festival.

The traditional ruler observed that some people who planted yams at the beginning of the farming season died before the yam harvest, stressing that the survival of those gathered to celebrate was evidence of God’s infinite mercy and protection.

He described the New Yam Festival as a season of thanksgiving to God for a bountiful harvest and an inherited cultural tradition handed down to the people by their ancestors.

According to him, the celebration is not fetish but rather an expression of the people’s appreciation to God for the fruits of their labour and the blessings of a successful farming season.

He reaffirmed his commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Abaukwu and the Igbo nation, while praying that God would preserve their lives and grant them good health and prosperity to witness another memorable celebration the following year.

Thereafter, Eze Monday Ugbor, flanked by his wife, Ugoeze Elizabeth Nwaugo Ugbor, other traditional rulers, politicians and prominent guests, performed the ceremonial cutting of the roasted New Yam, offering prayers to God for the yam to nourish their bodies and bring them long life, good health and prosperity.

The ceremony was greeted with enthusiastic applause as cannon shots rent the air, adding colour and excitement to the occasion.

Eze Monday Ugbor also used the occasion to commend Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, for what he described as his transformative and impactful leadership of the state within a relatively short period in office.

He expressed confidence in the governor’s administration and assured him of the community’s total support, alongside that of other Labour Party candidates in the state, in the 2027 general elections.

In his goodwill message, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, member representing Aba North and Aba South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, congratulated Eze Monday Ugbor on the successful celebration and commended him for preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Abaukwu and Ndigbo at large.

He described the people of Aba na Ohazu as accommodating and hospitable, pledging to continue identifying with Eze Monday Ugbor and his community.

Similarly, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, commended Eze Monday Ugbor for organizing the New Yam Festival in grand style and sustaining a cultural tradition that reflects the identity and heritage of the Igbo people.

He described the celebration as a laudable demonstration of commitment to cultural preservation and community cohesion.

Emeruwa assured the traditional ruler of his continued support and prayed that God would preserve the lives of the people of Abaukwu to enable them to celebrate many more New Yam Festivals. He also wished Eze Monday Ugbor long life, good health, prosperity and divine protection.

The Mayor of Aba South, Hon. Obialor Anyanwu, also thanked God for the opportunity to witness another edition of the festival.

He applauded Eze Monday Ugbor for sustaining the cultural heritage of Ndigbo in Abaukwu and contributing to its preservation in Abia State.

He prayed for the traditional ruler’s continued good health, longevity, prosperity and God’s abiding blessings.

The festival also provided an opportunity to recognize deserving individuals whose leadership, achievements and contributions to society had earned them public admiration.

The recognition featured the conferment of chieftaincy titles and the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities.

Among those honoured with chieftaincy titles was Sunday Itam Okore, who received the title of Ugomba I of Abaukwu.

Chief Peter Uchechukwu Ignatius Umeora was also conferred with the title of Omeziribe I of Abaukwu.

Award recipients included Amb. Dr. Mike O. Okoro, popularly known as Vote for Jesus; Chief Chinenye Enyinnaya; and several other distinguished personalities recognized for their contributions and exemplary qualities.

In his response after receiving the title of Omeziribe I of Abaukwu, Chief Peter Uchechukwu Ignatius Umeora, an Isuofia-born, Aba-based business tycoon from Anambra State, expressed profound gratitude to Eze Monday Ugbor for the honour, describing it as a prestigious recognition.

He pledged to live up to the expectations associated with the title, noting that the honour would further motivate him to contribute more meaningfully to the development and progress of the community.

Similarly, Amb. Dr. Mike O. Okoro, popularly known as Vote for Jesus, a renowned Aba-based business mogul and influential figure in Abia State, expressed appreciation to Eze Monday Ugbor and the Abaukwu community for finding him worthy of the prestigious award of Life Patron of Eziukwu Road Market, Aba, which was presented to him in recognition of his transparent leadership and contributions to the market community.

Dr. Okoro pledged to sustain his cordial relationship with the traditional ruler and the entire community, reaffirming his commitment to peace, unity and development.

Also speaking after receiving an award in recognition of his competence and trustworthiness in the building and construction industry, Chief Chinenye Enyinnaya, a renowned builder and contractor, expressed appreciation to Eze Monday Ugbor for the recognition.

Echoing the traditional ruler’s remarks about his professional record of having no reported case of building collapse, structural defect or litigation since the beginning of his career, Enyinnaya pledged to uphold his professional integrity and competence.

Enyinnaya, who is an illustrious son of Ngwa Iyiekwe in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State also reaffirmed his commitment to identifying with Eze Monday Ugbor and the people of Abaukwu in their plans and initiatives to advance the community’s development.

The festival attracted an array of prominent traditional rulers, political leaders, community stakeholders, businessmen and other dignitaries.

Among those present were HRM Eze Ndubuisi Nwabeke, immediate past Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers; His Imperial Majesty, Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe of Abayi Ancient Kingdom; HRH Eze Victor Asonye; Chief Benson Emejuru; High Chief Ngozi Agharanya, traditional prime minister of Abaukwu; Hon. Emmanuel Odimegwu, popularly known as Blessed Sunny Peak; Hon. Oba Moses, Chairman of Eziukwu Road Market, Aba; Chinedu Ugbogu; and other notable personalities.

The celebration ended on a joyous note, featuring sumptuous local delicacies, abundant food and drinks, traditional dances and colourful masquerade displays.