By Cajetan Muta
The traditional ruler of the Omor Kingdom in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, HRH Igwe Oranu Chidume has called on indigenes and communities to shun violence and ensure peaceful coexistence among them.
Igwe Chidume stated this during the 2021 New Yam Festival held on Saturday by sons and daughters as well as friends in the area.
He said that meaningful and sustainable development could only be actualised in the society in an atmosphere of peace.
The call by the monarch followed the recent crisis in the community in which some Omor people were kidnapped and a former Chief Judge of the state was attacked.
He said, “We all need to know that it is only when we love one another and ensure peaceful coexistence in the entire communities that government can achieve sustainable development in the state.
“All hands must be on deck to achieve a lasting peace. That is the only way to achieve the needed development and restore societal peace.
Chidune said, “We are happy the area is calm, normalcy has returned to the entire Ayamelum Local Government. We achieved this because the state government intervened by setting up a panel to look into the matter.”
“I’m hopeful that the panel will do justice to the whole presentation from Omor and Anaku communities.”
.
On the New Yam festival of the community, the Royal father said that the festival was an age-long tradition that ushered in the eating of new yams for the year, describing yams as the most important of all crops in Igbo tradition.
“Omor kingdom believes in agriculture, and we cultivate yams. So this sort of celebration is a way of telling our people to go ahead and start eating new yam,” he stated.
A former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Paul Obidigwe (rtd), who is also a member of the Supreme Council of Omor kingdom, said the celebration was also a period of unification.
“The new yam festival is a huge celebration to express gratitude, joy and unite communities as well as other neighbouring kingdoms but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration is in a low key,” he added.
Secretary-General, Omar Royal’s Cabinet, Chief Julius Ofodile said the new yam festival had provided a heritage of dances, feasting and renewal of kinship and community alliance.
