The people of Obeagu town have successfully celebrated their 2024 edition of the New Yam festival (Iri ji Ohuru), at Igwebuike primary school field Obeagu in Awgu local government area of Enugu State
New yam festival is a significant cultural and spiritual event among the Igbo community in Nigeria, which allows the people to offer thanks to God for a bountiful harvest season, while also praying for better yield in the subsequent planting season.
The good people of Obeagu are not left out of this age-long Igbo tradition as sons and daughters, both home and abroad, converge to observe the festival.
It will be recalled that this event is the second new Yam festival celebration for the community since the ascension of the Paramount ruler of the community, His Royal Highness Igwe Okolo Sylvester Emeka Ojukwu, (Chinyereugo 1 of Obeagu Kingdom).
Customarily, the festival began with the monarch leading the people in thanksgiving prayer to God for a bountiful harvest. while also speaking on the significance of the festival.
Igwe Okolo, then proceeded to cut the roasted yam which signifies the beginning of new yam eating, buying, and selling in the Obeagu Kingdom
In an address, the president general of Obeagu town union, Ogbuefi Orjiogbu Calistus, appreciated the people and the guests for honoring the invitation, noting that the new yam (Iri ji Ohuru)festival arose from the Igbo recognition of Yam as the King of all farm crops.
Speaking to Akelicious at the event, The Chairman of the Occasion and the CEO of Big Brown Multichoice, Ogbuefi Obumneme Chukwu, said the new yam celebration is a cultural day that marks the beginning of harvest and new planting season.
Also speaking, Hon.Mrs Roseline Ude, the counselor representing Obeagu Ward in Awgu local government legislative council expressed gratitude for the festival while also praying for more of God’s blessings.
Similarly, Hon. Tochukwu Chukwu, The CEO of UGAMATV and Radio Limited and an indigen of Obeagu, while expressing joy in the spirit of the Occasion, also explained the significance of the festival in the community.
Engr. Chinedu Ani, the chairman of the planning committee of the event, gave an insight into the festival in Obeagu, noting that it is an annual event observed before eating new yam in Obeagu
Chief Okeke Anderson Obiorah, the planning committee secretary of the event, explained that the festival signifies the beginning of the new yam harvest and eating in Obeagu
Ogbuefi Orjiogbu Calistus, also revealed the cultural significance of the new yam festival observation in Obeagu, emphasizing the need for all Indigenous people of Awgu to observe it, before eating new yam
In the same vein, Mr Onyebuchi Okeke(Ichie Akpaka) described the new yam festival as a day of thanksgiving to God for a good harvest season.
Major General Edward Nze, while expressing happiness for the Occasion, prayed that next year’s event would be better.
Among dignitaries and guests that graced the Occasion include…..
Sen Engr. Osita Ngwu
Senator representing Enugu West and
Minority Whip Nigeria Senate
Represented by
Hon Prince Emeka Ude
SA Constituency Matter, Awgu LGA
Hon Uche Joseph Okolo
PDP Chairmanship Candidate
Awgu LGA
Represented by
Hon Tochukwu Chukwu
Director of Media and Publicity, Hon Uche Okolo campaign organization
HRH Igwe Jerome Okeke
Ngene 1 of Ngene-Ugbo
Traditional Ruler of Ngene-Ugbo
Barr Onye-Eke
Director Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, Enugu State
Hon Aganigbo
Labour Party Chairmanship Candidate
Awgu
All Progressives Congress Delegates led by Princess Charles.
Among other dignitaries.
The event featured different dancing groups as well as all kinds of masquerades, dancing and showcasing their cultural heritage.
