New Yam festival is one of the significant celebrations of Ndi Igbo. It signals the end of planting season and ushers in harvest of Yam, a major agricultural produce of Igbo Nation.
Each year, every community takes time to mark this special day in commemoration of the agricultural strides of the Proginator of the Igbo race. Fathers and heads of families take time to offer special prayers of thanksgiving to God for the previous planting season and for robust harvest.
Traditional rulers who kick off the celebration during the Iwa Ji or Iri Ji celebration offer special prayers of thanksgiving for the entire community and pray for more yields in the next planting season.
This year's National New Yam Festival of Igboukwu community in Aguata council area of Anambra State was historical as it presented many sides to the celebration of the new Yam Festival.
Among the new thrillers was the unveiling of a special statue of Senator Uche Ekwunife, the deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Anambra State.
The Igbo-Ukwu community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State came alive as the National New Yam Festival (Iri Ji Ndigbo), themed “Showcasing the Best of Igbo Culture and Hospitality”, unfolded at the National Yam House, Etiti Village.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Dr. Hanatu Musawa who was the special guest of honour was full of praises for the celebration which has afforded the people opportunity to deliberate on the progress of their community
Senator Ekwunife who was surprised to behold a great statue erected in her honour and unveiled by the Traditional Ruler of Igboukwu kingdom, Igwe Alex Azike was full of praises.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of Mbido Igbo Association, Chief Okoaforuzu Ugochukwu described this year's national new Yam Festival as symbolic as Ndigbo chart new cause in agriculture.
He said the choice of honouring Senator Ekwunife was informed by her numerous contributions to the advancement of Igbo culture and heritage.
Ugochukwu described Senator Ekwunife as a woman who has contributed to the sustenance of Igbo culture and tradition as a great daughter of Igboukwu ancient kingdom.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Nzubechukwu Henry Ikeji said the 2025 National New Yam Festival came with a lot of stocktaking as Ndigbo seek a renewed commitment to the sustainable cultural practices that had held the people as indivisible entity.
He said the time for Igbo rediscovery and renaissance had come and called on the leaders of Ndigbo to contribute towards the perpetuation of Igbo culture especially Igbo language.
The chairman further described Senator Ekwunife as a worthy ambassador who has through her various foundations reached out to the Mbido Igbo Association and other Igbo awareness creating platforms to sustain the culture and tradition of Ndigbo.
Performing the unveiling of the special statue of Senator Ekwunife, the Traditional Ruler of Igboukwu kingdom, Igwe Alex Azike said the National New Yam Festival of 2025 was the best of its kind as it offered them the opportunity to celebrate in a special way, a woman who has done so much for humanity.
Igwe Azike said the idea of celebrating and honouring Senator Ekwunife with a visible statue was to show her the way her contributions and dedication have affected the lives of the people positively.
He said it was their own way of preserving her image in the minds of the people and also to show her that the people of the community and Anambra in general will continue to appreciate her for her unflinching support to the development of Igbo culture and tradition.
Hon. Dr. Obi Asika, Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Abuja, represented by Chief Edozie Obiajulu, the Council’s Southeast Liaison Officer commended Ekwunife for her numerous contributions to the community.
In his goodwill message, the the Director General, Nigeria Tourism Development Authority, NTDA, Mr. Richard Ovie Esewhaye who was one of the special guest of honur expressed satisfaction with the enthusiasm of Ndigbo to develop their culture and tradition through annual new Yam Festival.
He said such annual celebration serves as reunion for people of particular area to meet and deliberate on various developmental projects that affect the people, adding that his office will always be open to collaborate with any group towards developing tourism through culture and tradition.
Director General of the National Gallery of Arts (NGA) Ahmed Bashir Sodangi who also was among the special guests of honur congratulated Ekwunife for the recognition and expressed optimism that through robust synergy between federal government and local communities, the country will revamp her rich cultural heritage through arts.
In her goodwill message, the Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Aisha Adamu Augie was also elated at the honour done to Senator Ekwunife and described the occasion as unique.
For Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, the Director General of National Institute for Cultural Orientation, the exercise was one of such where the agency take sensitization programme to educate the people on the need to sustain their culture as their identity.
Responding , Senator Uche Ekwunife who is also the Director General of the South East Governors' Forum expressed joy for the honour done to her.
She said the time for Igbo renaissance has come, adding that the South East Governors are working on common front to save the dying Igbo language and expressed optimism that the governors will also adopt a common position in addressing other challenges.
Ekwunife who is one of the proponents of the Igba boi, (a special apprenticeship programme) further disclosed that the region will further adopt a common position in encouraging apprenticeship as a way of encouraging young entrepreneurs and taking youths out of the streets.
She thanked the organizers of the 2025 national new Yam Festival for the honour of erecting a statue in her honour, promising to continue to advance the course of Igbo advancement and progress.
Ekwunife reaffirmed her dedication to preserving and promoting Igbo culture, urging Ndi-Igbo not to lose touch with their rich heritage in the face of modernization. She emphasized that the New Yam Festival remains a powerful unifying symbol for the Igbo people, one that must be upheld and celebrated wholeheartedly.
Reflecting on her personal connection to the community, she remarked: “As the first titled woman in this town, I am pleased that the respect accorded to me continues today. I will work closely with our Royal Father, Igwe Alexander Ejikemeuwa Azike, to elevate this festival, making it even more befitting, glamorous, and remarkable.
The event featured dance and other entertainment, prominent among which was the official unveiling of the statue of Senator Ekwunife.
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