HRH EZE LOVE WOGU CELEBRATES NEW YAM FESTIVAL, HONOURS KELECHUKWU NWAMUO

HRH EZE LOVE WOGU CELEBRATES NEW YAM FESTIVAL, HONOURS KELECHUKWU NWAMUO                                                     

Aba Central Lawmaker, Hon. Ucheonye, Others Commend Monarch for Cultural Preservation, Community Development

The palace of HRH Eze Love Ariwodo Wogu, the Onyenweala I of Umuola Egbelu Autonomous Community in Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State, came alive on Monday, October 19, 2026, as the revered monarch hosted the annual New Yam Festival in a colourful celebration of Igbo cultural heritage, communal solidarity and thanksgiving.

The annual celebration attracted an impressive assembly of traditional rulers, members of the Chiefs-in-Council, illustrious sons and daughters of Umuola Egbelu from within Nigeria and the Diaspora, captains of industry, politicians, businessmen, community leaders, friends and well-wishers.

Held in a convivial atmosphere under the chairmanship of Chief Sorochi Mark, the Ihemba of Umuola Egbelu Autonomous Community, the festival combined traditional rites with cultural performances, the recognition of an illustrious son of the community, Hon. Kelechukwu Nwamuo and renewed calls for unity, agricultural development and the preservation of Igbo traditions.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Sorochi Mark, described Eze Love Wogu as his mentor and explained that his presence, alongside other guests, was an expression of solidarity with the traditional ruler on his celebration of the New Yam Festival this year.

He described the festival as an age-long Igbo tradition that provides an opportunity for thanksgiving to God for a bountiful harvest, while promoting peace, unity and communal harmony.

Chief Mark observed that different communities across Igboland celebrate the festival at different times, generally between August and October, depending on their established customs and traditions.

He commended Eze Love Wogu for his commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of his people, expressing gratitude to God for granting the community the opportunity to witness another edition of the festival.

He also prayed for God’s continued blessings upon the traditional ruler, particularly long life, sound health, strength and wisdom to lead Umuola Egbelu to greater heights.

In his welcome address, the host, HRH Eze Love Wogu, expressed delight at the impressive turnout, describing it as a demonstration of his people’s pride in their cultural heritage and their commitment to sustaining the traditions handed down by their forefathers.

He described yam as the king of crops in Igboland and explained that the New Yam Festival represents both thanksgiving for a successful farming season and an opportunity for the people to renew their bonds of unity, reflect on their common heritage and chart a course for community development.

The amiable and highly revered monarch warmly appreciated the traditional rulers, political leaders, captains of industry, members of his cabinet, indigenes of Umuola Egbelu and other guests who honoured the invitation.

He particularly acknowledged the management and staff of 7Up Bottling Company, Aba Plant, led by its General Manager, Stanley Adebayo, for identifying with him and the community during the celebration.

The monarch recalled the cordial relationship between himself and the management of the company, noting that the chairman as well as his son had also attended previous functions at his palace.

A major highlight of the festival was the special recognition accorded Hon. Kelechukwu Nwamuo, an illustrious son of Umuola Egbelu Autonomous Community, in appreciation of his contributions to community development and his record of service.

Hon. Nwamuo was recognized as the first indigenous councillor to represent Umuola Ward 8 and the first Town Union President of Umuola Egbelu.

In announcing the honour, Eze Love Wogu praised him for his love for his community, describing his service in the two leadership positions as commendable and his contributions as evidence of his commitment to the advancement of his people.

The traditional ruler further described him as a worthy ambassador of Umuola Egbelu and prayed for God’s abundant blessings upon him, including the fulfilment of his aspirations.

The monarch explained that the recognition was intended to celebrate Hon. Nwamuo’s exceptional generosity, selfless service and commitment to the welfare and progress of the community.

The announcement attracted enthusiastic applause from the audience, with many describing the honour as well deserved.

Visibly elated by the gesture, Hon. Nwamuo expressed profound gratitude to Eze Love Wogu and the entire community for the recognition.

He disclosed that he had not been informed beforehand and was therefore pleasantly surprised by the honour.

He pledged to remain a worthy ambassador of Umuola Egbelu and assured the community that the recognition would inspire him to render greater service to his people and humanity.

The ceremonial cutting of the roasted yam provided another memorable moment during the celebration, as Eze Love Wogu used the occasion to explain the historical, agricultural and cultural significance of the festival.

The traditional ruler emphasized that yam occupies a special place in Igbo civilization because of its importance to the people’s traditional economy, food security and cultural identity.

He explained that the celebration was a significant cultural inheritance from their forefathers and maintained that the traditional reverence accorded yam was not an act of worship but an acknowledgement of its importance to the people’s livelihood and heritage.

Identifying himself as a committed farmer and renowned yam cultivator, the monarch expressed pride in his agricultural pursuits and encouraged individuals, families and communities to embrace farming as a practical means of promoting food sufficiency and national development.

He also dismissed misconceptions portraying the New Yam Festival as fetish, insisting that neither modernization nor religious differences should deprive the Igbo people of the opportunity to preserve and celebrate their cultural heritage.

According to him, the festival remains an enduring expression of Igbo identity and a tradition that should be passed on to future generations.

Amid resounding applause, Eze Love Wogu, flanked by his wife, Ugoeze Franca Wogu, fellow traditional rulers and other dignitaries, cut and blessed the roasted yam before sharing it with the people.

The monarch accompanied the sharing with prayers for long life, good health, progress, fruitfulness and brotherliness among members of the community.

He reaffirmed his determination to sustain the annual celebration, expressing confidence that the New Yam Festival would continue to thrive as an important component of Igbo cultural heritage.

In his remarks, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu, member representing Aba Central State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, commended Eze Love Wogu and the people of Umuola Egbelu Autonomous Community for sustaining their cultural heritage.

The lawmaker described the New Yam Festival as an important occasion that brings people together, strengthens communal bonds and provides an opportunity to appreciate the traditions that define their identity.

Drawing attention to the political significance of the coming 2027 general election, the lawmaker encouraged the community to reflect on Abia State’s experience over the past two decades and compare it with developments under the current administration led by Governor Alex Chioma Otti (OFR).

He urged the people not to lose sight of the challenges the state had faced in the past, maintaining that the monumental progress being witnessed across the state under Dr. Alex Otti’s transformative and impactful leadership should inform their political choices and their assessment of the direction in which Abia was heading.

Reaffirming his commitment to the Labour Party, Hon. Akachukwu invoked the party’s familiar slogan, Forward Ever, Backward Never, and its Papa, Mama, Pikin message to emphasize the importance of political continuity in advancing the welfare of ordinary citizens.

He explained that his continued advocacy for the party was motivated by his concern for the well-being of the people and his conviction that effective governance could help create a better environment for residents and businesses.

The lawmaker therefore appealed to the the people and residents of Umuola Egbelu to maintain their support for the Labour Party and Governor Alex Chioma Otti as political activities gathered momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.

In making his appeal, he drew on the Igbo expression, “Echezona ebe anyi si bia na ebe anyi no taa,” urging the people not to forget where they were coming from and where they stood today.

He also invoked the saying, “Eto dike na nke o mere, ome ozo,” meaning that a brave man should be praised for his achievements in order to do more.

At the end of his remarks, Hon. Akachukwu further demonstrated his support for the celebration with a generous financial contribution.

Also speaking, Dr. Kasarachi Enyinnaya, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Abia South, praised Eze Love Wogu for his commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Umuola Egbelu and the wider Igbo nation.

He described the New Yam Festival as a valuable cultural institution that should be sustained to ensure that younger generations understand and appreciate the traditions inherited from their forebears.

Dr. Enyinnaya stressed the importance of traditional rulers and community elders in educating young people about their history, customs and cultural identity, warning that neglecting such traditions could deprive future generations of an important link to their roots.

He expressed his personal appreciation for the New Yam Festival, describing it as a symbol of Igbo identity and an enduring tradition worthy of preservation and promotion.

The senatorial candidate commended Eze Love Wogu for keeping the tradition alive and wished him long life, sound health and many more fruitful years on the throne.

In a gesture that further enlivened the occasion, Dr. Enyinnaya announced an educational support initiative under the Kasarachi Foundation for two students from the community.

The announcement attracted a resounding ovation from the audience, as guests welcomed the intervention as a practical contribution to educational advancement and the future of young people in the community.

Dr. Enyinnaya also made a financial contribution in appreciation of the celebrant and the successful hosting of the festival.

The management of 7Up Bottling Company, Aba Plant, led by its General Manager, Stanley Adebayo, also commended Eze Love Wogu for organizing the festival and sustaining the cultural traditions of his people.

Adebayo described the traditional ruler as a friend, father figure and member of the 7Up family, explaining that the company’s presence was a demonstration of its cordial relationship with him.

He noted that the company had undertaken several activities within the community and regarded the festival as a special opportunity to celebrate with the monarch and his people.

According to him, the New Yam Festival provides an important platform for members of the community to come together, celebrate their cultural heritage and discuss ways of moving the community forward.

He described the occasion as meaningful and worthwhile, expressing satisfaction with the opportunity to participate in the celebration alongside his colleagues.

The festival featured captivating cultural dances, masquerade displays and other traditional performances that added colour and excitement to the occasion.

A notable feature was the presentation of agricultural produce, including yam, plantain and vegetables, by the six villages that make up Umuola Egbelu Autonomous Community.

The presentation underscored the agricultural foundation of the New Yam Festival and highlighted the importance of farming to the people’s livelihood, food security and cultural identity.

According to Eze Love Wogu, the farm produce would be distributed, as in previous years, to the less-privileged members of the community and neighbouring communities.

The gesture reflected the spirit of generosity, compassion and communal solidarity associated with the celebration.

In his vote of thanks, Eze Love Wogu expressed profound gratitude to all who attended the festival and contributed to its success. He appreciated their solidarity and wished them safe journeys back to their respective destinations.

The celebration climaxed with sumptuous traditional delicacies, assorted drinks, live-band performances and cultural entertainment that kept guests in high spirits.

The well-attended event attracted a galaxy of traditional rulers, political office holders, community leaders, businessmen, captains of industry, friends and well-wishers.

Among the prominent dignitaries present were HRH Eze Engr. Victor Nwaobia, the Alilielighimba of Umuafor; HRM Eze Tony Wabara, the Mbele I of Ohambele;
Chief Architect Dan Nwankwo (DANGOV) and his wife; the first Attorney-General of Abia State, Chief Barr. Theo Nkire, the Ebekuodike of Umuola Egbelu, and his wife, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu, member representing Aba Central State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly and his entourage and Dr. Kasarachi Enyinnaya, National Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Abia South.

Others included the management and staff of 7Up Bottling Company, Aba Plant, Chief Augustine Onuegbu, the oldest man in Umuola Egbelu; Chief Emma Orjiugo; Chief Surveyor Chidi Ubani; High Chief Onyekachi Isaac, the traditional Prime Minister of Umuola Egbelu.

Also in attendance were Elder Simple Nwankpa; Chief (Mrs.) Stella Achonu; Barr. Reginald Nwokeocha; His Honour Ariwodo M. Osondu; Chinweuba Jumbo, the Youth President of Umuola Egbelu; Chief Ben Ejiogu; and several other distinguished guests.