Anambra State Indigenes in Aba Celebrate New Yam Festival with Pomp
Honour some illustrious sons, others
Anambra State Indigenes in Aba Celebrate New Yam Festival with Pomp
…Honour some illustrious sons, others
It was a moment of joy, splendour, thanksgiving and merriment as the 178 Anambra State Town Unions in Aba – the commercial city of Abia State celebrated the 2024 New Yam Festival and First Anambra Legends Award Day with unprecedented pomp.
The colourful event took place at Abia State Polytechnic, Aba on Saturday, November 16, 2024 in an atmosphere of conviviality under the distinguished chairmanship of Chief Owelle Greg Okafor, the Chairman of Oris Group and Ibiza Hotel & Resorts, Aba.
The unforgettable cultural event attracted the presence of illustrious sons and daughters of Anambra State, in-laws, friends, captains of industry, business moguls, top government officials, legislators and other notable dignitaries from far and near.
It commenced with prayer and presentation of kola nut after which cultural parades by the various Anambra Town Unions in Aba followed.
There was an overwhelming display of love and unity as the high and the mighty mingled freely with the low as they danced round the expansive arena with great excitement showcasing their unique dances, songs, traditional attires and cultures.
At the end of the cultural parades by the various town unions, the chairman on the occasion, Chief Owelle Greg Okafor appreciated them for their spectacular performance.
He expressed great satisfaction with the unprecedented turnout and thanked God for keeping them alive to celebrate their 2024 New Yam Festival in a grand style.
He described the New Yam Festival as a major cultural event celebrated every year in different parts of Igbo land as well as in the Diaspora.
He noted that the New Yam Festival helps to preserve and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Igbo people and urged them to sustain the celebration of the New Yam Festival and to engage in farming in order to survive the prevailing food crisis across the nation.
He appreciated the Organizing Committee headed by Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo (Kpakpando Ihembosi) for a job well done adding that next year’s celebration would be greater both in magnitude and attendance.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo who doubles as the Chairman of Eziukwu Road Market, Aba and President of Abia State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) expressed profound gratitude to God for sustaining them in Aba over the years through thick and thin as well as their Ngwa landlords for their love and continued support.
He lauded the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) for his quality leadership and monumental achievements in the state within a very short time in office and pledged their continued support to his administration describing him as a detribalized leader.
He also thanked the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo for all his good works in Anambra State and
appreciated the contributions of so many people towards the success of the New Yam Festival, especially the President General of Anambra Town Unions in Aba, Sir Emma Nwapadolo, the Chairman on the occasion, Chief Owelle Greg Okafor, Chief Jude Nwosu and the Mayor of Aba North, Hon. Chief Timothy Kalu Iheke who arrived very early before other dignitaries and stayed till the end of the occasion.
He described the New Yam Festival as a thing of joy and thanksgiving to God and urged Ndigbo to embrace farming and continue to cultivate yam and other farm crops in order to sustain themselves as well as others.
He urged all to relax and enjoy the unique hospitality and tradition of Anambra people.
In his welcome speech, the President General, Anambra Town Unions in Aba, Chief Sir Emma Nwakpadolo thanked God for safeguarding their lives to celebrate the New Yam Festival this year.
He appreciated all and sundry for gracing the occasion in their numbers as well as the Organizing Committee headed by Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo for their unrelenting efforts in making their 2024 New Yam Festival a huge success adding that next year’s celebration would be grander.
He extolled the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) for his developmental strides in Abia State, particularly Aba, which he said have restored the commercial hub of the state to its former glory.
He said that they are happy to celebrate the 2024 Anambra New Yam Festival in Aba because of the many positive changes the administration of Governor Alex Otti has brought in Aba which are evident everywhere.
He also extolled their own Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo for the able way he is piloting the affairs of Anambra State.
He appreciated some individuals, companies and organizations for their tremendous support towards the quantum growth of Anambra Town Unions in Aba over the years including Chief Chris Agbo for providing the venue of their executive meetings at Aba Sports Club free of charge, Tonimas Nigeria Lub Plant for allowing them to make use of their hall free of charge, the people of Unubi for giving their women their hall to hold their meetings free of charge, the people of Oraifite and others for their unparalleled magnanimity.
He described yam as the king of all crops, which is celebrated in different parts of Igbo land.
He said that the people of Anambra State are renowned yam farmers and thanked God for giving them a bountiful harvest this year.
He commended the untiring efforts of the Land Acquisition and Development Committee headed by Chief Owelle Greg Okafor for their tenacity to acquire land for the proposed “Anambra Tower,” – a Symbol of Unity and Heritage of Anambra indigenes in Aba.
Highpoint of the occasion was the cutting of the roasted New Yam by the pioneer President General of Anambra Town Unions in Aba, Chief Albert lbeanu to the glory of God and betterment of the people.
The episode attracted resounding euphoria and so many illustrious sons of Anambra State in Aba, their friends and esteemed guests supported the cutting of the roasted New Yam with N1million, N500, 000.00 and so on.
Thereafter, the whole place turned into a carnival of sorts as the various town unions celebrated the New Yam Festival with fanfare in their respective canopies.
Highlights of the occasion were spectacular performances by the Okanga Masquerade of Nnobi, Isuofia Women Cultural Dancers and others and as they entertained the people naira rained on them.
During fundraising for the proposed Anambra Tower in Aba, the people demonstrated their oneness and great love for Anambra State as they made humongous donations in support of the project ranging from ₦20 million, ₦10 million and so on while others pledged valuable building materials like 50 truckloads of chippings and tons of other building materials.
The ground-breaking celebration climaxed with the presentation of awards to some prominent Anambra sons and others in appreciation of their tremendous contributions to the growth of Anambra Town Unions in Aba and Anambra State St large over the years.
The occasion was a huge success and attracted the presence of distinguished personalities from far and near including Chief Barth Azubuike Madubuko (JP), the Grand Patron and Diamond Father of Ekeoha International Shopping Complex, Aba, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu, the member representing Aba Central State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke, the Mayor of Aba North local government area, Chief Sir Leo Nnodu Okoye (Uduakomiri), Chief Sir Greg Esotu, Chief Christopher Ezendeokwere, Mazi Jude Nwosu, Chief Bontus Onuigbo, Chief Fidelis Ifejiofor, Chief John Bosco, Chief Chinweike Clifford, Chief Chidiebere Ezenwuba, Super High Chief Alphonsus Okonkwo, Chief Sir Humphrey Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu (Onyemararie 1 na Nenu), Engr. Nkene Enukeme (Director, Tonimas Nigeria Lub-Plant and Tonimas Aluminum Ltd), Obinna Nwosu, Engr. Offia Ndukwe among others.
Some of the Town Unions present were Isi Achina Town Union, Achina Town Union, Nkporo Development Union, Awka-Etiti Improvement Union, Akpu Town Union, Akpu Progressive Union, Ihembosi Progress Assembly, Unuomaku Progressive Union, Isuofia Peoples Assembly, Ifitedunu Town Union, Nawfia Progressive Union, Awgbu Progressive Union, Utu Development Union, Ogboji Town Union, Igbo Ukwu Development Union, Neni Town Union of Nigeria, Ezinifite Aguata Improvement Union, Nkpologwu Progressive Union, Aguluezechukwu Improvement Union, Oraukwu Progressive Union, Uga Improvement Union, Ezinifite Town Union, Nanka Patriotic Union, Lily Development Union, Okija Town Union, Nnobi Welfare Organization, Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly, Unuoma Progressive Union, Oraifite Improvement Union, Azigbo Improvement Union, Umuoji Improvement Union, Ukpo Improvement Union, Abba Town Union, Amesi Improvement Union,
Ekwulumili Development Union, Nnewi South LGA, Nteje Development Union, Oko People’s Union, Urum Development Union, Nibo Town Union, Owerre Ezukala Development Union, Unubi Development Union, Nimo Town Union, Umunze Progressive Union, Awka Development Union, Abagana Welfare Union, Ifite Ogwari Development Union, Enugwu Ugwu Town Union, Omor Town Union, Agulu Youth Movement, Agulu People’s Assembly, Ora Eri Development Union, Awkuzu Progressive Union, Abatete Development Union,
Aguleri Welfare Association, Ukpo Improvement Union, Nnewi Community Association, Obosi Development Union, Nri Progress Union, Ozubulu Development Union, Amichi Development Union, Umuchu Improvement Union, Ikenga Progressive Union, Ichida Progressive Union, Alor Development Union, Ihite Development Union among others.
In a chat with newsmen at the end of the occasion, Chief Barth Azubuike Madubuko (JP), the Grand Patron and Diamond Father of Ekeoha International Shopping Complex, Aba described the New Yam Festival as the most remarkable and unifying cultural event in the entire Igbo land.
The illustrious son of Awka-Etiti in Idemili South local government area of Anambra State said that he is happy to be part of the joyous celebration and thanksgiving to God for preserving their life throughout the year as well as granting them a bountiful harvest.
He acknowledged that yam is the king of all crops and the staple food of Igbo people. According to him, it can be eaten in so many ways and anyway you choose to eat it, it tastes so delicious.
He said that it can be cooked like that and eaten with palm oil or vegetable. It can also be prepared as porridge, roasted, fried or pounded and eaten with soup, he added.
He urged the people to continue to cultivate and celebrate yam every year adding that New Yam Festival is an integral part of Igbo cultural heritage, which marks the beginning of the Igbo Calendar.
On his part, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu, the member representing Aba Central State Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation said that the New Yam Festival is celebrated every year by the Igbo people worldwide to promote their rich cultural heritage.
He described the 2024 New Yam Festival of Anambra State indigenes in Aba as historic. He emphasized that Anambra State is the light of the nation and always takes the lead while others follow.
He congratulated the people on the celebration of their New Yam Festival this year and prayed God to continue to keep them alive to witness subsequent celebrations in the years ahead.
He encouraged the people of Anambra State to sustain the New Yam Festival adding that it brings unity among them.
He expressed profound gratitude to the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) for his overwhelming love for the people of Anambra State in Abia and assured him of their total support for his administration saying that he is a great achiever whose developmental strides are highly visible in every part of Abia State.
In his remarks, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke, the Mayor of Aba North local government area expressed great satisfaction with the people of Anambra State residing in Aba for organizing the great cultural event and urged them to sustain it.
He advised Igbo people to go back to farm in order to overcome the prevailing economic hardship across the nation.
Speaking, Chief Sir Humphrey Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu (Onyemararie 1 na Nenu) expressed great joy because of the celebration of their New Yam Festival this year describing it as the first of its kind in Aba.
He said that the New Yam Festival encourages them to engage in farming adding that hardwork pays (aka ajaja na ebute onu nmanu nmanu).
The renowned business mogul said that the yam he harvested from his farm would sustain him and his family till the end of 2025 adding that if he were to sell them in the market that he would sell a tuber at N12, 000.00 because of their big sizes.
He pointed out that the nation’s ailing economy is a serious warning for every Nigerian to go back to farming because that is the only way to survive the widespread hunger ravaging the nation.
He called on all and sundry to farm no matter how small it is. According to him, even if you do not have land, you can do it in your house by making use of bag to plant yam or coco yam stressing that it would do well.
He described the New Yam Festival as a veritable platform for peace, unity and progress among them and assured that they would continue to celebrate it and pass it to their children from generation to generation.
On his part, Ichie Christopher Ezendeokwere (Chinyeleugo na Aguluezechukwu) described the event as a thing of joy and gathering of brothers from different communities in Anambra State residing in Aba. He urged them to sustain it because it is a great cultural heritage of Igbo people.
Mike Okechukwu, an indigene of Igbere in Bende local government area of Abia State who said that he attended the occasion because of his friend who was honoured that day described the occasion as wonderful and a major aspect of Igbo cultural heritage.
He described the New Yam Festival as part of their cultural identity as Igbo people and enjoined the people to continue celebrating it every year without let or hindrance.
Similarly, Ichie Anthony Okeke (Ndu Abu Nike na Isuofia) who anchored the epoch-making occasion underscored the significance of the New Yam Festival in Igbo land saying that it encourages them to be hardworking.
He encouraged all to go back to farming in order to produce what to eat in order to survive this critical time of increasing economic hardship across the nation stressing that if people engage in farming, the prices of foodstuffs will fall.
Contributing, Nze Emeka Igboanu, the chairman of Achina Town Union, Aba Branch stressed that any tribe or nation without culture (ejiri mara) is dead.
He commended the people of Anambra State in Aba for organizing the New Yam Festival to showcase their rich cultural heritage.
He prayed God to preserve their lives to witness more fruitful New Yam Festival in the years to come stressing that farming is a must for everyone if they must survive.
