By Chadikobi Ozor, Nsukka
Enugu state chairman council of traditional rulers HRM Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu (Okenwa Ogadagidi) has said that new yam festival (‘Iwa Ji’) remains the symbol of unity for culture and traditions across Igbo land in mataining the hemogenous cultural affinity of Ndi Igbo.
Igwe Asadu disclosed this at his 2024 “Iwa Ji’ festival (new yam) held at Edem Ani Ogwugwu ancient kingdom in Nsukka local government area, Enugu state, adding that ‘Iwa Ji’ festival among the Igbo land enthrone peace, unity and cultural affinity in heralding new era of agricultural produce of bumper harvest in communities and villages across Igbo hegemony.
The chairman state council of traditional rulers and traditional ruler of Edem Ani Ogwugwu ancient kingdom who also doubles as member Board of Trustees (BoT) traditional leaders in Africa Nigeria chapter and the immidate past chairman south east council of traditional rulers said that ‘Iwa Ji’ remains the paramount traditional values that have to be straightened and promoted to uphold the tenets of homogenous cultural heritage across Igbo land.
Igwe Asadu noted that through agriculture, town’s and villages would meet the most cherished human needs of human endeavor, food sustainablty.
He said that human resources control and investment management has to be channeled to agriculture for human existence.
Igwe Asadu while conducting other traditional rulers and visitors alike round his yam ban (‘Oba Ji’) said that more emphasis has to be placed on agriculture to boast bumper harvest annually.
He urged other traditional rulers across the 17 local government areas of Enugu state and beyond to at least celebrate ‘Iwa Ji’ festival (new yam) festival once every three years to sustain the cultural heritage of the forefathers.
He expressed gratitude to the state governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for distributing fertilizers and other farm implements to farmers across the 17 local government areas for sustainable agriculture.
“It’s the hightened recognition of the roles of traditional institutions in which development of the state spurred the state traditional council to strive to ensure that all aspects of culture and traditions endure”
“Federal government as a matter of necessity and urgency should release Mazi Nnandi Kanu whose continued detention cripples economic values and development in the south east as most communities in the zone observe Mondays as work free day in protest for the continued detention of Mazi Nnandi Kanu.”
“Both individuals, churches, donor agencies, human rights activists, NGOs and foreign agencies have severally called for the unconditional release of the proscribed IPOB leader to give peace a chance in the south east geo zone. “We the traditional rulers would talk to him if released. He is a human being and has listening ear, he has respect for traditional stool softener. Release Mazi Nnandi Kanu for peace, unity to reign and change the narrative in the south east states” he noted.
“Iwa Ji’ remains the key traditional practices that must be sustained and promoted apart from sustaining the age long traditional culture which would be that through agriculture we shall meet the most cherished needs of human endeavor” he noted.
Earlier in a welcome address, the chairman Edem Ani Ogwugwu planning committee of 2024 ‘Iwa Ji’ festival Chief Ozo Aloysius Ejum said that the 2024 new yam festival is second festival of Igwe Ogadagidi since his ascendance to the coverted thrown of Edem Ani Ogwugwu ancient kingdom.
Ozo Ejum pointed out that ‘Iwa Ji’ festival is rooted in ancient tradition dating back to many centuries and performed across towns and villages in Igbo land, saying that new yam festival is a solemn activities that upholds the high value attached to crops in Igbo land.
Among the dignities that graced the 2024 Edem Ani Ogwugwu ‘Iwa Ji’ festival include Senetor Okey Ezea representing Enugu north senetorial zone at the upper Chambers of the national assembly, Decon Okay Ogbodo Enugu state commissioner for cheiftaincy matters, Engr Vitta Abba former Enugu state PDP chairman, Engr. Chinedu Asogwa chairman Nsukka local government council, Rtd Commissioner of police Chief Sunny Ngwu among retinue of others. Prominent among the traditional rulers that witnessed the solemn new yam festival of Edem Ani Ogwugwu includes Igwe Patrick Okolo Nkpunano ancient kingdom, Igwe Herbert Ukuta of Igga ancient kingdom, Igwe Fidelis Ani of Abbi ancient kingdom among others while myraid of masquerades together with famous ‘Ijere’ masquerade entertained the visitors to Edem Ani Ogwugwu ancient kingdom.
