His Royal Majesty, Engineer Simon Obidike, Eze Ezu II of Ikem-Ivite Kingdom in Anambra East Local Government Area, recently celebrated the 2024 New Yam Festival, a significant cultural event that marks the harvest season and serves as a platform for advocating national harmony.
During the celebration, Igwe Obidike highlighted the importance of the New Yam Festival, known as “Iri Ji” in Igbo culture, which holds deep significance among the Igbo people as a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest and honor the cultural heritage of yam farming. The festival also provides an opportunity for community leaders to address pressing socio-political issues and promote solidarity.
Igwe Obidike, a known advocate for peacebuilding, used the occasion to call for unity and peaceful coexistence across Nigeria. He emphasized the need for all ethnic and religious groups to embrace harmony, recognizing that diversity should be a source of strength rather than conflict. Quoting Nigeria’s national motto, “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress,” the monarch urged individuals, communities, and leaders to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation to bridge the divisions within the nation.
The festival was also an occasion for the monarch to encourage stronger bonds between neighboring communities and promote cooperation within Anambra State and beyond. He stressed that by fostering interactions and partnerships, communities could better address challenges and unlock opportunities for sustainable development.
Igwe Obidike involved the youth in various cultural activities during the festival, aiming to instill a sense of cultural pride and unity across generations. He emphasized the importance of youth-oriented programs for building a prosperous and harmonious society.
High Chief C.C. Udeanyinya, the Prince of Ikem-Ivite Nando, echoed the importance of the New Yam Festival, noting that it serves as a time for thanksgiving and that no one is permitted to eat new yams until the traditional ruler has performed the sacred rite. Udeanyinya highlighted the festival’s role in promoting unity and preserving cultural traditions, which contribute to a prosperous and united Nigeria.
The event also featured a Holy Mass, during which Reverend Christopher Edozie of the Catholic Diocese of Aguleri emphasized that the Church supports positive cultural traditions like the New Yam Festival. The celebration was marked by cultural displays, gunshots, and special dances, with various dignitaries paying homage to Igwe Obidike.
The festival underscored the value of cultural traditions in fostering unity and the need for ongoing support of leaders like Igwe Obidike, who are committed to the well-being and progress of their communities.