HRM Eze Ndubuisi Nwabeke Celebrates New Yam Festival
Former Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Joseph Ndubuisi Nwabeke (CFR) and the people of Eziama Ntigha Autonomous Community in Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia State celebrated their 2024 New Yam Festival with great jubilation.
The popular annual cultural event in Igbo land held in the open field at HRM Eze Joseph Ndubuisi Nwabeke’s magnificent Palace on Friday, October 4, 2024.
In his opening remarks, HRM Eze Joseph Ndubuisi Nwabeke, the Eze Amara 1 of Eziama Ntigha Autonomous Community expressed profound gratitude to God for keeping them alive to celebrate their New Yam Festival this year.
He appreciated Ndi Ezeji Isiala Ngwa North LGA, the entire Ngwa people, his cabinet and the people of Eziama Ntigha for their love and continued support.
He described the New Yam Festival as a thing of joy and thanksgiving to God. He appreciated the people for turning out in their numbers as well as for contributing immensely to the huge success of the event.
In his speech, HRM Eze Nelson Achilefu Nmerengwa (JP), the traditional ruler of Isieketa Ancient Kingdom and First Deputy Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers congratulated HRM Eze Joseph Ndubuisi Nwabeke (CFR) and the people of Eziama Ntigha Autonomous Community on their successful 2024 New Yam Festival.
The renowned Ezeji Oha Ngwa described the New Yam Festival as an integral part of Igbo culture and praised them for sustaining it till date.
He said that the large turnout is an indication that the people are proud of their cultural heritage.
He described farming as the major occupation of Ngwa people and encouraged them to engage in farming in order to cope with the prevailing food crisis across the nation.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the ‘Iwa ji’ by HRM Eze Joseph Ndubuisi Nwabeke.
After prayer by the palace priest for God to bless the new yam and continue to grant them bountiful harvest in the years to come, Nze Sir Eugene Iheanacho, a member of the Eze-in-Council and notable Ezeji thanked God for His numerous blessings upon their lives and community, especially for keeping them alive to celebrate the New Yam Festival this year.
He praised HRM Eze Joseph Ndubuisi Nwabeke for the able way he has been piloting the affairs of the community over the years and prayed God to grant him long life, good health and prosperity.
Thereafter, the popular, handsome, amiable, ebullient, eloquent and quintessential Royal Father prayed for God to continue to bless them with long life, good health, peace, unity, love, protection progress and more celebrations in the years ahead.
He invited HRM Eze Nelson Nmerengwa to join hands with him in cutting the New Yam to the glory of God. The episode drew resounding ovation and canon shots rent the air.
After cutting the yam into pieces, he took a slice, ate it and called others to come and take one after the other.
The people were so happy and full of praises to God as they enjoyed the new yam with fresh palm oil and other local delicacies.
HRM Eze Joseph Ndubuisi Nwabeke decried the present economic hardship across the nation and called on the people to engage in farming as a way out of the extreme hunger ravaging the nation.
He used the occasion to present over 200 wrappers to the women in fulfillment of his promise to give them uniform for their August Meeting and other official outing to uplift their standard.
The elated women thanked HRM Eze Joseph Ndubuisi Nwabeke for his unprecedented gesture and pledged their continued support to his rulership and development of the community.
The celebration climaxed with merriment, cultural dances among others. It attracted the presence of notable personalities including Chief Chinagorom Nwankpa (Ochikaraibe).
