Ohiya Ukwu Celebrates New Yam Festival
The people of Ohiya Ukwu in Umuahia South local government area of Abia State celebrated this year’s New Yam Festival with great jubilation under the auspices of Ohiya Ukwu Autonomous Movement.
The memorable occasion held at Nkwoegwu Market Square on Thursday, September, 28, 2023 under the distinguished chairmanship of Prince Longman Nwachukwu, a renowned political colossus and illustrious son of Ohiya Ukwu.
It attracted the presence of many sons and daughters of Ohiya Ukwu from home and abroad, in-laws, friends, well wishers, distinguished personalities including Hon. Mba Ukagha, two-time member, Abia State House of Assembly and Rex Ohiaeri, the Eze-elect of Ngwaocha Ohokobe Ndume.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Prince Longman Nwachukwu, one of the prime movers of the struggle for the creation of Ohiya Ukwu autonomous community expressed profound gratitude to God for keeping them alive to witness the celebration of the New Yam Festival this year.
He appreciated the people for the prevailing atmosphere of peace, love, unity and cooperation among them as well as notable personalities from far and near that graced the occasion.
The tall, handsome and popular orator assured the people that their dream of an autonomous community would be accomplished very soon by the grace of God and urged them to remain patient and law-abiding.
In his speech, the chairman of the organizing committee and vice chairman of Ohiya-Ukwu Autonomous Movement, Dr. Anthony Ogidi, appreciated the people for turning out in their numbers for the New Yam Festival and prayed God to grant them a successful celebration.
He described the New Yam Festival as a great celebration in the entire Igbo land adding that the festive period affords them the opportunity to come together, to interact with one another, to showcase their rich cultural heritage and to chart a new way forward in the community.
He enjoined the people to put all their trust in God, to always remain peaceful and law-abiding and expressed confidence that God would grant them their heart’s desires despite the prevailing economic hardship and security challenge in the nation.
Speaking the special guest of honour and a prominent son of Ohiya Ukwu, Chief Marshall Akoma praised God for granting them another wonderful opportunity to celebrate the New Yam Festival.
He described it as a time to celebrate their oneness and showcase their cultural heritage.
Thereafter, he prayed to God to bless the roasted new yam before it was cut into pieces and shared among the people.
He wished them long life, good health, prosperity and God’s continued protection as they ate the roasted new yam with palm oil.
In their separate speeches, Ochiobi Chigozirim, the youth leader of Ohiya-Ukwu, Chief Nwachukwu Ngozi Desmond and Okechukwu Chikezie described the New Yam Festival as a great celebration in Ohiya Ukwu emphasizing that it brings them together in love, peace and merriment.
They prayed God to grant them more bountiful harvests and celebrations in the years to come.
They debunked the idea that the New Yam Festival is fetish and promised to sustain it.
The New Yam Festival was a huge success despite the heavy rain that day.
It ended with traditional dances, music and great merriment.
