By: Ike Philip Abiagom
The New Yam Festival, in the Igbuzo community, is an important way of marking the beginning and end of the farming season. It is a celebration of life, accomplishments in the community, culture and well-being.
Culture is said to be a people’s way of life. Promoting indigenous culture can positively affect national values. It is also a belief that has existed for ages, and passed from generation to generation. To this, every tribe within and outside Nigeria has a culture by which they are identified. In Igbuzo land, for example, there are many cultures that exist such as New Yam Festival, Iwu Festival and more. These to a large extent has one benefit or the other for the people.
This year New Yam Festival was held to commemorate the time of harvest, as part of the event organised by Ibusa Age grade” Otu Ogbor Olinzele Mpukor Igbuzö (1981-1983)”, Hundreds of age grades came together to celebrate the New Yam Festival in a flock of traditional outfits at Omu Boys Primary School in Ibusa under the Chairmanship of Onowu Emma Nwakwubei, Chairman /Managing Director of a popular real estate company in Ibusa, Emmalix Trade and Investment Ltd.
The celebration continued with live music led by our music maestro Shalom Band by Ike Oko and dance performances, along with Ibusa traditional food Pounded yam and while(Nsala) soup .
The occasion was well attended by Overall Nna Ogbor Olinzele Mpukor Igbuzo Rtd. Col. Obi John Nzekwue aka Animal,he is also the Nna Ogbor Olinzele Mpukor Igbuzö Otu Iyase,Nna Ogbor Olinzele Mpukor Igbuzö Otu Odogwu:Onowu Nwaebuni Onianwa,Nna Ogbor Olinzele Mpukor Igbuzö Otu Uwolor,Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Onowu Nally H. Nwadei,the Onyeisi Ogbor Olinzele Mpukor Igbuzö Otu Iyase,Mr. Henry Ashibuögwu,the Onyeisi Ogbor Olinzele Mpukor Igbuzö Otu Uwolor, Onyeisi Ogbor Olinzele Mpukor Igbuzö Otu Iyase, was also attended Mr. Henry Ashibuögwu,the Onyeisi Ogbor Olinzele Mpukor Igbuzö Otu Uwolor,Mr. Ike Obikwu.
The event was also attended by Igbuzo war lords, High Chief Charles Okonkwo, Odogwu of Igbuzo , High Chief Amaechi Nwaenie ,Uwolo Igbuzo, and other personalities like,Oshimili North APC Chairman,Hon. Austin Chukwudi Nnabuife aka Ojeogbue, Special Assistance to the Governor on Youth Moblisation for Ward 8 in Oshimili North LGA, Chief Austin Ndinwa (Okemili Igbuzor),Onowu Özöpulu,CEO Ozopulu Group of companies,Dr. Chukwudifu Awolo, Iweanya Nwankwo,Ogbueshi Gabriel Ndubuisi,Onowu Enwiwe Onianwa.
