Emmanuel Clement
It was supposed to be a New Yam Festival, but the Chairman Council of Ndieze, Lagos State and the Eze Ndigbo of Ijegun/Ijedodo community,Eze Dr. Chika Nwokedi made it a festival of love.
The Eze Okpoko I of Obodoukwu, on September 20, 2026, hosted traditional rulers, community leaders, captains of industry, and cultural groups to a spectacular Iriji celebration in Lagos that blended culture with charity.
From the breaking of kola nuts to the cutting of the new yam, every rite was observed but the soul of the event was generosity.
Investigator news reports that in his usual magnitude of giving,the monarch shared bags of rice, semovita, foodstuffs, Ankara materials, wristwatches and other gift items to hundreds of attendees, including cabinet members.
The crowd erupted when 72-year-old Mrs Beatrice Ngozi Ibundun and other elderly beneficiaries received over N200,000 cash gift from the Eze.
In another touching twist, a woman who could only offer N1,000 during the kola nut ceremony got a life-changing surprise. Eze Nwokedi blessed her with N100,000 and other gifts, saying her small offering carried great faith.
The woman later confessed she borrowed money to attend the festival just to see Eze Nwokedi — because his past kindness had kept her family going.
Speaking with emotion, Eze Nwokedi held the audience spellbound as he poured out his philosophy of life and giving.
“I don’t have massive wealth, but I have the heart of giving. God did not call me to be the richest man, He called me to be a bridge for the poor to cross.”
“We will all be remembered for the lives we touched, not the wealth we kept. On the last day, God will not ask how many houses you built, He will ask how many homeless you sheltered.”
“I give because giving is my covenant with God. It is my spiritual calling and the tradition my forefathers handed to me. My father taught me that a closed hand cannot receive blessings.”
He added: “That woman who gave N1,000 gave me her heart. I saw in her eyes that it was all she had. When you give God your all, God will give you more than enough. That is why I had to honour her.”
“Many people are waiting to become Dangote before they help others. Start with the little in your hand. That small food you share can keep a soul alive.”
The monarch also cautioned against show-off philanthropy”Celebrate according to your capacity. Philanthropy should come from the heart, not pressure. Don’t kill yourself because others are doing it. Do according to your calling.”
Eze Nwokedi said Iriji symbolises gratitude for life, harvest and divine protection, explaining that traditional rites like animal sacrifice are prayers of thanksgiving and preservation.
He linked the rite to Exodus 12:13: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you,” stressing that blood has always been a symbol of divine covering.
Speaking with newsmen,Mr. Charles Kelechi Nelson Ngbe, Chairman of Ndi-Igbo Ijegun-Ijedodo, described the New Yam Festival as a sacred thanksgiving and charged Igbo youths to protect their language.
“Any Igbo child that cannot speak Igbo is lost already. We must teach our children who they are,” Ngbe said.
The Chairman of the occasion,Barr. Ene Vincent Ifeanyichukwu hailed Eze Nwokedi as “the king who wears charity like a crown”, describing Eze Nwokedi as second to none and urging Igbo leaders to emulate him.
Lending his voice,Chief Arinze Opkara, CEO of RH Mega Resources Limited, who travelled from Ghana to attend, said Eze Nwokedi is “the bridge that connects Igbos at home and in diaspora.”
Newly coronated Super High Chief Urukanachukwu said his new title is a call to serve humanity, pledging to emulate Eze Okpoko I’s humanitarian template.
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Eze Chukwuemeka Sylvanus Onuoha, Ezendigbo of Iyana-Iba, called for unity among Igbo leaders and urged parents to make Igbo language compulsory at home.
Eze Okparaku Boniface, Bobaselu of Ikotun Land, said the New Yam Festival must be preserved at all costs.
According to him, “Iriji is part of the Igbo culture, existence and traditional heritage which we collected from our forefathers and later we will pass it unto our incoming generation.”
He called on Igbos in diaspora not to kill the culture and traditions passed to us by our forefathers.
The festival was climaxed with colourful performances by the Igbo Speaking Community, Ohaneze Ndigbo and Eze Okpoko Dance Group, the ceremonial eating of the new yam, and prayers for peace.
Investigator news gathered that those present at the event include Eze Monday Lawrence Obijogu (Ezedioranma I), Eze Okparaku Boniface, Eze Chukwuemeka Sylvanus Onuoha, Barr. Ene Vincent Ifeanyichukwu, palace chiefs, Igbo socio-cultural leaders and personnel of the Nigerian Army, Police and NSCDC.
For many guests, it was more than Iriji — it was a reminder that true royalty is measured by how many lives you lift.
