By Doris Onyekachi
Igwe Nwofia performs new yam festival, sues for peace, unity & development
Culture came alive at Ama Okpata Square as the people of Eziagulu-Otu Aguleri in Anambra East LGA gathered for the 2026 Alo Mmuo, the new yam festival.
Leading the celebration was their traditional ruler, Igwe Lawrence Nwofia Igwe Ochiagha joined by other royal fathers, Ndi Ichie, Oji Ana, Ruling Council, Ndi Ogo Nwanyi, Ikiti, Town Union leaders, and sons and daughters at home and abroad.
Igwe Nwofia said the festival was to “thank God for a bountiful harvest. Despite annual flooding, their farms yielded more yam, cassava, okro and other crops this year than before”.
Performing the kolanut rituals, the Igwe prayed for peace and unity in Eziagulu-Otu and with neighboring communities. He also prayed for light, glory, greatness and increased income for his subjects, and for progress and development in the community.
“Our reign is for peace and cordial relationships. That is what brings development,” Igwe Nwofia declared.
It was a day of honour and encouragement. Deserving sons of the community received chieftaincy titles to spur them to contribute more to development. Students were also presented with textbooks to motivate them to embrace reading culture and education.
Leaders used the occasion to call on youths to embrace farming. Cultivate what you eat was the message, as they stressed that agriculture was the key to wiping out hunger and poverty.
A daughter of the land, Mrs. Ify-Fyn Onwudiwe, noted that forgotten aspects of their culture were being reformed so the younger generation could know their roots and be proud of them.
Speaking on behalf of visiting traditional rulers, Igwe Ben Emeka of Umueri commended Igwe Nwofia for ushering in peace, unity and progress.
He however appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to complete the remaining stretch of road into Eziagulu-Otu so that residents can have “free passage while coming home.”
The community also threw their weight behind the Soludo administration and commended him for his “giant strides” across Anambra.
“What we celebrated today is farming. Include agriculture in whatever business you are doing,” the President General, Engr. Dom Afiaocha, and former ASATU President, Chief Alex Onukwue said
One of the newly conferred chiefs, Obinna Okechi, promised to uphold integrity, truth and honesty as he works for community growth.
Doris Onyekachi is of Anambra State Ministry of Information and value Reformation, Anambra State
