By Nna Anulumadu
The Oba community, in Idemili South Council Area, was abuzz over the weekend as the Traditional Ruler of the community, HRM Igwe Engr. Augustine Chinedum Emelobe, celebrated his maiden New Yam festival in grand style at his palace in Okuzu Oba.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Igwe Engr. Emelobe, who ascended to the throne after Oba remained without an Igwe for 7 years, said the New Yam festival is an age-long culture celebrated annually to appreciate God for a bumper harvest.
He emphasized that yam is regarded as a chief crop in Igboland and that the New Yam festival symbolizes the celebration of life and its fullness, manifest in productivity and expansion in agriculture.
The monarch urged Igbos not to relegate farming to the background.
The event was a carnival of sorts, with traditional dances and masquerades entertaining the people.
Traditional rulers from various communities, friends, well-wishers, and associates paid homage to the monarch, surrounded by his cabinet members.
Speaking to the press, the Onowo of Oba, Chief Sir Boniface Onyeka; the President General of Oba, Engr. Anthony-Uzo Ejiofor; and Secretary General OPU Oba, Sir Nwabueze Emebo, advocated for peaceful and harmonious coexistence among the people of the community.
They maintained that peace remains the panacea for meaningful development and called on the people of Oba for unalloyed support to enable Igwe to discharge his noble responsibilities.
The Former PG, Revd. Chris Afam Emelie, hailed Igwe Emelobe’s mission and vision, saying he has set up over 30 committees to drive progress.
He maintained that Igwe’s emergence is God’s blessing to the town of Oba and called for total support from Ndi Oba.
In their submissions, Hon. Ikenna Iyiegbu, Hon. Uche Okonkwo, Engr. Anthony Okoh, Barrister Bismarck Ighorodje, and High Chief Charles Olisaemeka said Ndigbo uses the New Yam festival to showcase their cultural heritage and values, promote cultural integration, mutual understanding, and socioeconomic transformation.
Others who felicitated the monarch included High Chief Charles Olisaemeka, Obi Ichi Igwulube Oba, Chairman Aboji Village, Engr. Emeka Chukwurah, and Engr. Udoka Uzochukwu Ozougwumba.
The high point of the event was the cutting and eating of yam and the Ufie dance by Igwe Engr. Emelobe.
