…………As AlG Ogundele urges Nigerians to explore culture.
Emmanuel lkpeama
The Chairman Council of Ndieze, Lagos State Eze Ambassador Chika C.Nwokedi have stressed the need for Nigerians to remain united, saying that the beauty and strength of the country lie in her diversity, while calling for unity and peaceful coexistence across Nigeria.
He stated this during his 2024 New Yam Festival held on Sunday,15 September,2024 at his palace, stating that the need for all ethnic and religious groups to embrace harmony, recognizing that diversity should be a source of strength rather than conflict.
Investigator news reports that the 2024 Nee Yam Festival a significant cultural event that marks the harvest season and serves as a platform for advocating national harmony.
Eze Nwokedi, Okpoko 1 of Obodoukwu who is the Eze Ndigbo of Ijegun and ljedeodo highlighted the importance of the New Yam Festival, known as “Iri Ji” in Igbo culture, which holds deep significance among the Igbo people as a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest and honor the cultural heritage of yam farming. He said that it was paramount for Igbos to represent their culture anywhere in the world, as it is a reminder of one’s origin.
The monarch who is a known philanthropist that has assisted so many widows,less privilege and given scholarships to so many children advices Igbos against unwise decisions of accumulating wealth to purchase material things, instead of using it to assist those in need and forgetting that they do not own landed properties in Lagos.
Earlier,Eze Ambassador C.C.Nwokedi bestowed Chieftaincy titles on five distinguished personalities including ACP Obiora Okonkwo in recognition of their behavioral qualities in the society; They include High Chief Chibuzor Obidike, (The Oyi of Oyi’ Ijegun Ijeododo); High Chief Obiora Okonkwo, (Ozo Igbo Ndu Guruguru)Chief Udegbe Sylvester Chioma, (‘Ozuo ome 1 of Ijegun Ijeododo)High Chief Dr. Ndubuisi Ebem, (Uru ka Na Chukwu Ijegun Ijeododo)and High Chief Christian Ikechi Uwaeme, Akaekpuchionwa 1 of Alimosho.
Speaking to newsmen,the ACP Okonkwo expressed gratitude to Eze Okpoko for finding him worthy, stating that he has been assisting so many people of different tribe and class in the society and with his his new title,he would continue to assist the less privileged and the down trodden in the society.
Chief Udegbe Sylvester stated that he is so happy to be associated with Eze Nwokedi and that he would toil in the same line with Eze Nwokedi to assisting people who have nothing to eat and ensure that he puts smile on the face of the widows and less privileged in the society.
Lending his voice, Chief Chibuzor Obidike (the Oyi of Oyi of ljegun/ljedeodo) pointed out the importance of the New Yam Festival, noting that it serves as a time for thanksgiving and that no one is permitted to eat new yams until the traditional ruler has performed the sacred rite.
Addressing the mammoth crowd,AIG Ogundele J. Ayodeji of FCIID Alagbon,urged Nigerians to explore culture as a means of achieving national unity in the country
According to him, the nation’s unity should be germane in everyone’s heart as the culture is a veritable tool that can be used to effect unity amongst different tribes considering the nation’s cultural diversity.
”Every Nigerian should be committed to promoting culture with special interest in grooming indigenous languages, local dressing, arts, crafts, local cuisine and intangible aspects of culture,l want to commend my good friend for preserving the culture and traditions of the lgbo community”
“This festival underscored the value of cultural traditions in fostering unity and the need for ongoing support of lgbo leaders like Eze Ambassador Nwokedi,who he described as a detribalized Nigeria who is committed to the well-being and progress of his people living in Lagos “he submitted
The Chairman of the occasion Chief Martins Ifenedebem,Former President of the Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria Alaba International Market, while speaking to newsmen noted the importance of the new yam festival as it is significant with the Igbo culture, which stems from revering yam as the king of all crops before consumption to enable a better harvest in subsequent years.
The Secretary Planning Committee”lri Ji 2024″ Chief Ifeanyi Iguegbe in his welcome address, welcome all to the epic event, stating that the New yam Festival which is an age long tradition of Ndi lgbo is one which portrays the tradition and culture of Ndigbo.
He went further to state that with the teachings of lgbo traditions and culture which brings out the true identity of an lgbo man ,the audience will go home with a lot of experience.
Speaking to lnvestigator news, Mr Simon Chinedu Nsika noted that new yam festival symbolizes gratitude to God for a bountiful harvest for the year, saying that Igbo attach importance to it because it is a way of thanking God for safe and fruitful farming season, stating that the celebration promotes love, unity and harmony among Ndigbo.
The Youth President Ohaneze Ndigbo Socio Cultural organization Lagos State Prince Tony Muoneke stated that the lri ji which is an annual ritual is well respected and celebrated in Igbo land which will help promote unity, culture and brotherhood among the Igbo nation.
“We have so many important reasons for celebrating new yam festival in Lagos.It brings unity and coordination, It is an annual event. Iri ji is a thanksgiving event, in those days, we used the event to thank God, referred to as Akuji, who gave you enough food. Just like as a father or mother, if you give your child something that is good, in return, he or she says ‘thank you.’
“In Igbo land after planting season, when it gets to the point of harvest; first of all, the yam goes to the Chi (God) to thank him for keeping us alive to plant and harvest the yam.
“Also the festival period is used as a time for important discussions and decisions for the development of the community,l want to use this opportunity to urge all youths not to forget our root, our traditions and culture which is our identity “he submitted.
The highlight of the event involved the cutting and eating of the new yam, the presentation of kolanut, Igbo cultural displays, traditional folk music, masquerade displays, and others,as the occasion was well attended by monarch and other dignitaries such as AIG Ogundele J. Ayodeji of FCIID Alagbon, Chief Sunday Udeh President of Igbo Speaking Community Lagos, Chief Martins Ifenedebem, Eze Jude Arinze, Eze Eze Nwoye the Bobaselu of Ejigbo, Eze Igwe Augustine Sunday Ojukwu, Chief Chukwunonye, Nwachukwu Austin Onyeka, High Chief Sunday Uwanogho, the Ijegun Ijeododo palace chiefs of Eze Chika Nwokedi, entourages from the Oba of Ijegun and Ijeododo palace, and other invited guests.
