Cultural Splendour At Igbo New Yam Festival,As Eze Ambassador Njubigbo Celebrates New Yam Festival In Style.

­Emmanuel lkpeama

It was a day of joy, celebration and thanksgiving to God for bountiful harvest  on Saturday 4, October 2025 during the new yam festival,otherwise known as Iwa ji,organized by Eze Ndigbo of Mainland,HRH Eze Ambassador (Sir) Godwin Chukwubuna Njubigbo JP so as to usher in the new season.

The Igbo new yam festival which is an annual occasion of offering and celebrating immense thanks to God almighty for making the farm yields possible as well as offering for even a better harvest in the subsequent planting season, witnessed a large numbers of the Igbo speaking community,yoruba and Hausa community as well as the China community.

The Kudirat Abiola play ground (Evans Square)Ebutte Metta Lagos,venue of the event, was literally shut as huge crowd made their way to the venue  to behold a cultural spectacle and catch some fun usually experienced once in a year.

Investigator news reports that the event was simply a display of glamour and celebration of Igbo rich cultural heritage.The peaceful ambience that surrounded his royal palace,the harmless presence of security personnel who mounted surveillance at the junction and the joy on the faces of Ndigbo and non indigenes living in Mainland served as a pointer that Eze Godwin Njubigbo is a man of peace,loved and mostly revered not just by Ndigbo but the yoruba and hausa community

There was heavy drumming, singing, trumpeting and breathtaking dance steps by cultural dancers who thrilled guests who had seated before the arrival of the dignitaries.The weather was clement as the sun shone brightly out of the azure sky.

The event started with prayers at the palace of Eze Njubigbo (Ezedioranma)for peace and progress of the nation and continuous peaceful coexistence of Ndigbo in Lagos State, thereafter a procession to the venue followed where Eze Njubigbo was accompanied by other Eze Ndigbo from other part of the state.

In his welcome address,Eze Ambassador Sir Godwin Chukwubuna Njubigbo said the Igbo new yam festival is a cherished culture of ndi Igbo, stating that our relationship with God which our forefathers has already established should not be discarded because of modernism.

He, however, urged the youths at all times protect, project, and promote the origin of the Igbo man and their traditions, while calling them to shun drugs and other social vices.

The monarch commended members of his royal cabinet,members of the Igbo speaking community, Ohaneze Ndigbo,men, youths and women for turning out in large number to attend the 2025 new yam festival.

Speaking with newsmen, Ezedioranma after performing the usual ritual of cutting the new yam, he expressed gratitude to God for making a bountiful harvest after the planting season. He also prayed God to aid the Igbos to sustain their rich cultural heritage and values.

Ezedioranma noted that the new yam festival or Iri ji is one of the significant cultural events in Igbo land. He added that the event provides the Igbo  man the opportunity to thank God for bumper harvest in yam and other farm varieties.

The United Nation Peace Ambassador used the occasion to urge his subjects to promote harmony and peaceful coexistence, emphasizing that unity is essential for progress and development.

He said,” Peace is my hobby,I have lived in the community for over 40years and I can tell you for free that the Igbos and non Ndigbo have relatively live in peace, therefore I want to urge my people to always live in peace with their host community so that more development and progress can come to them.”

He called on Nigerians to always pray for the leaders, stating that Nigeria would get better .”As we gather to celebrate today, peace and celebration of good things will be the portion of Ndigbo in particular and Nigerians in general.”he submitted.

Lending her voice, Ugoeze Ambassador Ngozi Njubigbo JP called on Igbos to embrace peace as it promotes peace and harmony which Igbos are know for.

She also called on parents to always teach their children the Igbo culture and traditioons so that they won’t forget their roots.

The Onowu of Mainland,High Chief Edwin Nwosu,Chidalu Igbo stated that new yam showcases the heritage of Igbo-speaking community, noting that the new yam festival has brought different Igbo groups together to unite because according to him,Eze Njubigbo is a man of peace.

One of the special guest at the occasion,High Chief Royal Ifechukwu Asonya describe the new yam as one of the most precious crop Ndigbo adorns and respect.

He went out to point out that new yam is a symbol of unity that unifies every Igbo man, noting that in Igbo land no man would eat the new yam except they thank God almighty for making them to be alive so as to witness the new yam festival after planting

High Chief Royal called on Ndigbo to unite and speak with one voice so that progress will continue to follow Ndigbo living in Lagos, while praying for Eze Njubigbo for long life, wisdom and understanding ,he eulogise the Eze Njubigbo for showing exemplary leadership, charming and endearing personality, and also elevating the culture and traditions of Ndigbo living in Lagos State.

Speaking with investigator news,an Erudite Professor , Professor Friday Nwankwo said that culture is what makes people to be known in the society.He enjoined every Nigerian to embrace unity for peace and harmony to reign in our country.

Chief Stella Ntanta,Ezinne na Lagos Mainland  enjoined parents to teach their children the culture, traditions of their forefathers so that Igbo language won’t go into instinction as predicted  in 2030.

Chief Ubah Emmanuel, (Otunba Ojoto), chairman Ohaneze Ndigbo Lagos State noted that the Igbo exhibit the spirit of oneness and unity which Nigeria needs by making anywhere they find themselves their homes and contribute immensely to the socio-economic and political development of their host communities.

He enjoined every Nigerian to embrace unity for peace and harmony to reign in our country.

Investigator news gathered that Eze Ambassador Sir Godwin Chukwubuna Njubigbo is an epitome of peace as he always radiates with an extraordinary brilliance, swag of royalty; embodying leadership virtues that inspire his subjects

Eze Njubigbo  prayed for development, progress,peace and unity in Mainland and Lagos in general,broke the kola nut, cut the new yam and shared it to the people present

He said that that the new yam festival is a time to appreciate God for his blessings and for bountiful harvest.

The festivities were marked by vibrant cultural displays, including traditional dances and music, showcasing the rich heritage of the people.

The monarch’s palace was filled with merriment and joy as guests and well-wishers gathered to pay homage to the royal father.

Eze Njubigbo’s leadership and commitment to peace have earned him respect and admiration from the people.

As the celebration comes to a close, the monarch’s message of peace and unity is expected to resonate with his people, inspiring them to strive for a more harmonious and prosperous community.

The New Yam Festival serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural values and traditions in promoting peace and stability. Eze Njubigbo’s leadership is a beacon of hope for his people, and his commitment to their well-being is unwavering.

The epoch making event attracted dignitaries from and across Lagos State; Chinese community,men, women youths, including His Royal Highness ,Eze Ambassador C.C Nwokedi(Chairman Council of Ndieze) Ambassador Solomon Aguene (PG Ohaneze Ndigbo Lagos)Eze Umeh Peter (Eze Ndigbo of Mushin)Eze Dr Okey Another(Eze Ndigbo of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Ikorodu)Eze Uchenna Dike(Eze Ndigbo of Oriade),Eze Sunday Ojukwu(Eze Ndigbo Amuwo Odofin) Eze Jude Arinze(Eze Ndigbo of Isolo)Eze Ndigbo of Ajeromi Ifelodun,Ikate Surulere, Chief Sunday Udeh(PG Igbo Speaking Community) among others.

As the celebration comes to a close, the monarch’s message of peace and unity is expected to resonate with his people, inspiring them to strive for a more harmonious and prosperous community.

The New Yam Festival serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural values and traditions in promoting peace and stability.

Eze Njubigbo’s leadership is a beacon of hope , and his commitment to their well-being is unwavering.

Highlight of the event was the cutting of the new yam which signifies the dawn of a new season.