Enugu’s new yam festival solidifies the Awgu community’s restoration of peace

The Obeagu populace Years after the community was rocked by a crisis over the choice of traditional ruler, the Obeagu community in Enugu State’s Awgu Local Government Area is still looking for peace.

The community has had a monumental challenge to identify his successor eight years after the passing of the former king, Late Igwe D.O.C. Aneke Ikemefune, according to OBASANJO NEWS24.

The election of Igwe Okolo Sylvester Emeka Ojukwu as the next traditional ruler, however, dissolved the impasse last year.

A portion of the community has voiced resistance to his emergence.

However, the populace is tenacious in making sure that everyone is supported and kept together.

This was brought to light as the village celebrated the first yam festival in eight years (IRI JI OHURU).

The occasion, which was hosted at the Igwebike Primary School Field in Obeagu, highlighted the progress, growth, and development of the neighbourhood.

The day also commemorated the accession to the throne of Igwe Ojukwu, Chinyelugo I, and Nevonugama III of the Obeagu Ancient Kingdom, the community’s supreme rulers.

Igwe Ojukwu, who was overjoyed, declared that the celebration was intended to bring the populace together.

By establishing a peace committee that will ensure harmony and peace in the kingdom, I’ll make sure that Obeagu is at peace.

“We’ll make sure that stealing doesn’t happen in this town ever again. Parents, raise your children with love, discipline, and sound advice.

In order to achieve the peace and advancement the kingdom needs, he added, “I will make sure that we address issues and concerns from diverse groups.

The Iri Ji celebration, according to Ogbuefi Callistus Orjiogbu, President General of Obeagu, is a method to honour the ancestors and promote the cultural heritage of the Obeagu Kingdom.

“Yam, the king of crops, plays a significant role in an Obeagu man’s food and sociocultural life.

“As the king crop, it is used in significant rituals such as wedding celebrations, birth and burial rites, title-giving ceremonies, and receptions for heroes.

“The most popular cuisine served during such ceremonies is typically pounded yam with egusi, vegetable okro soup, with meat and fish to taste.

“In the earlier days, only the males who had reached the age of adulthood organised the Iri Ji festival.

In response to socio-cultural and religious necessities for survival between man and his environment, our ancestors created this celebration and others.

In order to preserve and advance his tradition in the contemporary era, he urged the female members of the Obeagu Nevon Ugama Community to participate in the festivities.

Ogbuefi Obuneme Chukwu, the event’s chairman and CEO of Big Brown Multichoice, also spoke at the event and referred to it as historic since it had brought the community’s villages together.

“Our community is having a terrific day today; this is the first time something of this nature has occurred here.

“Our people believe that nothing compares to being at home. I accomplished everything here—grew up here, went to school here, did everything—so I’m glad to be here to enjoy myself with old friends and relatives, he remarked.

The CEO of UgamaTV, Hon. Tochukwu Chukwu, gave advice to the youths, urging them to abstain from actions that would damage the reputation of the neighbourhood and stressing that there is no benefit to crime.

This is a chance for us to come together, give the young people advice, and consider our options. Crime and creating troubles don’t bring any benefits.

“Say no to drugs; when youths take drugs, they exhibit these criminal tendencies, but when you are in your clear senses, you will not think of kidnapping or stealing,” he counselled.

The festival’s chief organiser, Ogbuefi Chinedu Ani Titus, characterised the occasion as a new beginning for the kingdom.

The councillor who was there to represent the Obeagu Award, Hon. Roseline Udeh, also spoke and urged the crowd to reject hatred and support peace.

Ogbuefi Valentine Okolo Maduka claimed that the occasion was a long-standing Igbo custom used to express gratitude for a successful crop.

The event, according to Mr. Chukwu Ani, was the first of its sort in the kingdom and is very important to the populace.

The Igwe’s inauguration of the newly appointed chiefs and the magnificent performances by many masquerades were the event’s highlights.