……As He Celebrates His New Yam Festival
Emmanuel lkpeama
It was an atmosphere of festivity and celebration of culture and tradition as Ndigbo in Alimosho local government area of lagos state and its environs turned-out enmasse for the 2024 New yam festival (Iriji) last weekend at the palace of Eze Ndigbo of Alimosho,Eze Dr Lawrence Eze.
The event which was celebrated on a low key saw Eze Lawrence preached on love, peace and unity. He added that the new yam festival is one cultural/traditional event which symbolizes brotherliness and togetherness,adding that the people should endeavour to accommodate one another.
He went further to thanked all invited guests and the people of Alimosho for coming together to celebrate the 2024 new yam festival, stating that without peace and harmony, the nation cannot record any tangible progress, hence the need for every stakeholders in the society to contribute his quarter towards peace and harmony which at the end, would bring about positive development.
Declaring the New yam festival open,Eze Dr Lawrence,who was a former board member,Federal.Medical Center Yobe state,stated that the new yam harvest is a gift from God as he encouraged the people of Alimosho and Ndigbo in general to always preserve their cultural/traditional heritage and prayed for more fertile harvest in subsequent seasons.
Eze Lawrence, the Chairman, Supreme Council of Ndieze Lagos state, explained that he was delighted and grateful to God almighty that over the years lgbos in Alimosho and across the globe have always lived in peace and unity with the host community, noting that new yam festival celebration brings about unity and coordination among the lgbos.
After series of prayers for peace, unity, prosperity and progress was done by the Eze Ndigbo,the traditional breaking of kolanut was performed, thereafter he embarked on yet marathon prayers petitioning God to ensure that there is peace, happiness, unity and progress in Alimosho and lagos state in general.
Speaking with lnvestigator news,the newly installed Obi of Alimosho,High Chief Engr. Chibuike Azubuike stated that the new yam festival is a period when the lgbos come together to thank God for a bountiful harvest and also use the opportunity to pray for a bigger season.
He opined that the cultural celebration is bigger than the Christmas event, noting that brings people together,whereby children can learn about their language, culture and traditions, while appealing to every lgbo man to cultivate the habit of teaching their children to know more about their mother’s tongue.
“We should learn to promote our cultural heritage and traditions,by doing this,we will be able to teach our children and generations yet unborn their mother’s tongue. Though English language is good but we must not forget our root, because this culture was handed over to us by our forefathers and we must pass it to the next generation”he submitted
Also,Eze Dr Lawrence Eze, while addressing news men stated that New yam festival is so much cherished and revered by Ndigbo, stating that Ndigbos attach a lot of importance and respect to yam and its significance to the culture and traditions, hence communities in lgbo land don’t miss this annual new yam festival which many communities have turned into carnival.
He called for peace and togetherness among Ndigbos and other various ethnic groups in the country, while opposing those who said Iriji festival is fetish,describing lriji festival as an Igbo cultural event which is now celebrated as thanksgiving to God.
Some of the prominent lgbo Chiefs in attendance at the event were:Eze Chukwuakalikemadu Emmanuel,(Eze Ndigbo Oriade LCDA),Eze Peter Asonye (Eze Ndigbo lbeju lekki LCDA),Chief Obidima Nnazor,( National Coordinator lgbo Ruo Ulo Association of Nigeria), Prophetess Adaobi Favor Ojiakor,(Nnukwu Ezenwanyi of Alimosho),High Chief Akpoyibo (Nwannedinamba of Alimosho) Chief Dr Uzu Onyemachi Robert (MD Ruzu Herbal bitters),Rev Paul Eze,Eze Chukwuemeka Onuoha (Eze Ndigbo Iba land),Eze Dr Kingsley Nwosu,(Eze Ndigbo Whitesand),High Chief Engr. Azubuike Chibuike (Obi of Alimosho)and other lgbo leaders.
Highlight of the event was the cutting of the new yam by the Eze Ndigbo of Alimosho,Eze Dr Lawrence Eze who was assisted by other lgbo leaders
