By Cajetan Mmuta
The year 2021 celebration of the New Yam festival by the Traditional Ruler of Ifite-Ogwari in Ayamelum local government area of Anambra State, Igwe Alphonsus Ofuebe, has been adjudged spectacular following the conferment of awards on the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor and other illustrious sons of the Community, for their outstanding contributions towards the development of the area.
Igwe Ofuebe, while performing the symbolic cutting of roasted new yam before the mammoth crowd of sons and daughters as well wishes drawn from far and near who attended the occasion, said that the Federal Government had done a lot in empowering the farmers in the area.
He argued that a lot still needed to be done to better a lot of Nigerian farmers.
The Monarch told people of the community, especially the youths to work hard towards living a healthy lifestyle devoid of all forms of social vices.
He also advised the youths to be serious with their academic works and urged those in commercial activities to remain committed to their businesses.
He underscored the importance of peace and order in the development of any nation, particularly in Nigeria.
While charging the Government at the center to expedite action towards the restoration of peace and order in the country, he emphasized that the country needs to empower the Police and other security agencies in order to perform optimally.
In addition, Igwe Ofuebe, prayed for progress, unity, and development of the Ifite-Ogwari Community and the entire Ayamelum Local Government Area, even as he challenged the people to say no to illicit drugs and narcotic substances that are capable of ruining human lives.
Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Okafor thanked Igwe Ofuebe, members of his cabinet, and President General of the Community Barr. Oliver Okonkwo for the honor done him and other awardees.
He also appreciated the monarch and Ndiche of the Community, for their untiring efforts towards sustaining the long-standing culture and tradition of Ifiti-Ogwari, adding that the New Yam Celebration remains a symbol of gratitude by each community in Igbo land to God and their ancestors for the bountiful harvest.
The speaker further expressed gratitude to the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, for the giant strides through the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Diaspora Affairs in the state in promoting Igbo culture and tradition with a view to ensuring that those things Igbos are known for do not go into extinction.
In their separate remarks, President- General of the Ifite-Ogwari Improvement Union, Barrister Okonkwo; his predecessor, Chief Chukwudi Ekwunife and the Deputy President-General, Chief Nwaorji Ikeozara, described the Community as one of the food baskets of the Country.
They also decried the dilapidated state of Onitsha- Otuocha-Adani federal road and other feeder roads in the area which they said hamper the smooth evacuation of farm produce from the area to urban cities.
The Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Charles Esimone, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof Theresa Nkeru Meludu, said that the celebration of the New Yam Festival in Igbo land is a period of thanksgiving for God’s benevolence, especially, the gift of life, bumper harvest and an opportunity to ask for His blessing for the people to celebrate more in coming years.
The Traditional Ruler of Umelum Community, Igwe Christopher Ndibe; Chief Williams Okafor (CSP) of the Nigeria Police; former Women Leader of the Community, Mrs. Theresa Nweke; Chief Sir Anthony Chinedu and Barrister Theophilus Nweke were among the personalities that graced the occasion.
The people however blamed the spate of insecurity challenges across the Country on unemployment and unsurmountable corruption cases leading to siphoning of the nation’s commonwealth abroad to the detriment of millions of poor masses.
