[dropcap]E[/dropcap]xcitement reigned supreme in Akwukwu Igbo Kingdom,the Local Government Headquater of Oshimili North Local Governemnt Area in Delta States,as he Celebrated his Annual New Yam Festival as Custom and Tradition demands with his people at his palatial residence.
The traditional ruler of the Akwukwu Igbo Kingdom His Royal Majesty, Obi David Azuka, who was accompanied by prominent traditional chiefs and indigenes of the community attended the event.
Our Oracle turned Miracle of Nigerian Politics,Senator representing the great people of Delta North Senatorial District; in the National Assembly and Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs,32attended the event with other personalities like Dcn Moses Dickson Iduh, Chairman PDP Delta North Senatorial District,Olorogun Arthur Akporowho, Honourable Commisioner for Urban and Rural Development,Honorable SA to Distinguished Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi,Hon.Luka Igbonoba,Ogom Nwaoboshi,Chairman, Zitas World Ltd,Ogbueshi Dada Okonji,chairman,PDP Oshimii South,Hon. Louis Ndokwe,Executive Chairman,Oshimili North Local Govt. Area, Chief Peter Okocha, PDP Youths Leader Oshimili North LGA,Hon.ken Mafua and other top government functionaries, political gladiators,friends and well wishers.
The New Yam Festival is an annual cultural festival celebrated by the Akwukwu Igbo Kingdom at the end of the rainy season. The celebration is popularly known as Iwa ji festival and is also celebrated in other Anioma nation and beyond.
At the beginning of the festival,tubers of yam are offered to the gods and ancestors first, before distributing the yams to the people. The ritual is performed either by the king of the community or by the oldest man in the community.
This celebration is an important event in the calendar of Igbo people all over the world, as the festival is an epitome of the people’s religious belief. This year’s New Yam festival was no different as it was a highly captivating event.
Prior to the event, the Odoziani Ani of Akwukwu Igbo Kingdom,High Chief Agbamuche Nelson in a statement made available to journalists had disclosed that the people of Akwukwu Igbo would witness another exciting moment in the kingdom.
According to him, “Iwa ji is an annual event that we observe to promote the culture and tradition of our people.It brings us together as a community to celebrate and also brainstorm on way forward of our community.
“As the Odoziani of Akwukwu Igbo Kingdom, I extended the New Yam Festival invitation to sons and daughters of Akwukwu Igbo,indigenes of Oshimili North LGA and Oshimili South, friends and well wishers in Delta and beyond and it was honoured”. At the event, Distinguished Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi donated the sum of N20,000,000 (Twenty Million Naira) to His Royal Highness, Obi David Azuka for the maintenance and upgrade of his Palace .
Odoziani Ani of Akwukwu -Igbo Kingdom,High Chief Agbamuche Nelson used the opportunity to thank his mentor and political father, Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi for his love and respect towards the custodian of Akwukwu Igbo culture. The Iwa-ji festival was turned to a carnival, as different dance groups danced to the admiration of the guest.
Congratulations the true son of Akwukwu Igbo!!!
By: Ike Abiagom 
