A community philanthropist, business mogul, High Chief Emeka Hamilton Ezeonu has advocated that New Yam festival in Igboland should become a regional affairs.
Ezeonu in an interview with Journalists during the Ashaolu festival which was celebrated by his community, Ifite Ogbeadiji community of Nnobi in Idemii South local government area of Anambra.
Ikemba Nnobi as he fondly called noted that there is need to make New Yam festival in Igboland a regional affairs, a situation where they could specify a particular date when entire Ndigbo across the five Igbo speaking States would celebrate the Iri-ji festival.
He suggested that it would attract international attention and make it a tourist event and attract tourists from different parts of the world to aide and expand tourism in Igboland.
He further described Ashaolu festival as a reminder to every Igbo Man to embrace culture and agriculture in order to eradicate hunger in Igboland, adding that he sponsored it in order to promote Igbo cultural heritage and Ifite Ogbeadiji community.
The Ashaolu Nnobi Community is a famous age-long annual New Yam festival (Iwa-Ji) with agricultural revolution and enhanced food production as its main focus.
This year’s Ashaolu which held at Ifite Ogbeadiji village square was said to be the first of it’s kind in Ifite Ogbeadiji and was single handedly sponsored by their illustrious Son, High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu (Ikemba Nnobi)
Among those who received awards at the ceremony includes High Chief Obinna Ufudo, Diasporians of Ifite Ogbeadiji, High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu, Prophet Ifeanyi Marcel Oguegbulu, Sir Rufus A. C. Onwuatudo, Dr. Mrs Thelma Ezeonu represented by Nnobi community woman leader, lady Ifeyinwa Nnekwelugo.
Performing the Iwa-ji ritual, Ichie Omenife, Chief Linus Ume stated that he was glad to celebrate this year’s Ashaolu Nnobi 2024, praying that it shall be well with entire Ifite Ogbeadiji village both at home and in diaspora.
He also prayed and predicted that next year’s farming plantation would be greater than this year’s plantation, asserting that any field of endeavors someone found himself is a profession, just as he described trading, civil service, farming amongst other as a profession.
He solicited for God’s maximum protections to the Ifite Ogbeadiji people as well as abundance prosperity which he said was hallmark of the celebration.
Speaking shortly, the traditional ruler of Nnobi Kingdom, HRM, Enger. Nick Muodum expressed gratitude to God for this year’s Ashaolu, saying it is a celebration of New Yam festival which their fore fathers celebrated.
He disclosed that Ashaolu and Iwa-ji festival is not idol worshipping, saying that the celebration is to commemorate the aims of their fore father’s zeal in cultivating yam as the king of staple crop in Igboland.
The monarch in a special way offered prayers to High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu, saying that it shall be well with him for using his resources in developing the community, even as he equally prayed for the blessings, peace and love to the entire Community.
Similarly, the Chairman of Ifite Ogbeadiji, Comrade Stanley Izuegbunamu lauded High Chief Ezeonu for saving the entire Community from contributing money for the Ashaolu, praying God to continue to bless him more.
He recounted roofing the village hall, construction of 1Km road, renovation of General Hospital Nnobi amongst other as development which he said High Chief Ezeonu attracted in their community, just as Chief Iyke Ezeanya hinted that Nnobi community do not joke with culture.
He praised stakeholders in the community especially Ikemba Nnobi who he said sponsored the event, describing New Yam festival as a thanksgiving to God for a successful plantation and harvesting of the new yam.
Other speakers comprising; Mr. Maduagu Chimezie and Chief Dr. Ike Edwin averred that High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu is a great man who has attracted a lot of development their community.
The chairmanship candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) of Idemili South LGA, Mrs Amaka Obi, President General of Nnobi, Barrister Dominic Okpala amongst other were dignitaries in the occasion.
The historic event featured various women dancing troupe, different Masquerades outing, best yam producers competition which Mr. Chukwudi Ogbuefi emerged first position with #100,000 reward.
