Twelve years after the death of Igwe Charles Esiobu, the Ogbunka
Community in Orumba South Local Government Area has continued to
celebrate New yam festivals in loving memory of the deceased
traditional ruler.
New yam festival, an annual event with different nomenclatures by different Igbo cultures, is celebrated to thank God for preserving lives during planting season and bountiful harvest of yam, the king of other crops.
In Ogbunka, this year’s event also took place at the palace of the late
Igwe Dr. Esiobu, in keeping with age-long tradition across Igbo land,
which domiciles royal events at Igwe’s palace until the last “ofala”
is performed, according to the Traditional Prime Minister of Ogbunka
and Chairman of Igwe’s Cabinet, Chief Matthew Ezeabikwa.
Chief Ezeabikwa, an Engineer who performed the festival, as custom
demands, prayed for peace in Ogbunka Community, the State and the
nation at large, expressing the community’s delight over the State
government’s support to farmers which has increased food sufficiency.
The Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba South Local Government
Area, Mr. Cyprian Okereke, Chief John-Mark Anyaoha, represented by
Chief Sunday Nwandubisi, among others that attended the festival, said
people of the area are predominantly farmers, who formed cooperatives
to enable them benefit from government and individual supports.
Others, including Prince Daniel Esiobu, the Palace Secretary, Chief
Bernard Eze, and Mr. Kenneth Ezue, urged NdIgbo to sustain and promote
new yam festivals called “Ifejioku” in Ogbunka, describing it as a
unifying factor.
Masquerade displays as well as performances by “Ichoku Ogbunka” were
among the highpoints of the event organized in strict observance with
COVID-19 protocols.
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