Enugwu-Ukwu community in Njikoka Local Government Area has marked its eightieth traditional authority annual agricultural exhibition and prize winning competition, as well as the 2022 Olili Onwa-Asato festival to recognize farmers’ efforts and appreciate God for a bumper harvest this year.
the Agric-shows held at Obu-Umunri Civic Centre Enugwu-Ukwu and participated by over two hundred farmers, was first observed in 2015, and annually heralds the Iwaji ceremony which in turn is a symbol of Ndi Enugwu-Ukwu age-long Olili Onwa Asato festival.
Addressing the people shortly after inspecting the agricultural produce, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Foster Ihejiofor represented by his Technical Assistant, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwaegbo commended Enugwu-Ukwu leadership for such a laudable initiative which he pointed out is worthy to be emulated by other communities in the state, and assured that the state government will continue to support farmers in the state for food sufficiency.
Performing a kolanut ritual, the Traditional Ruler of Enugwu-Ukwu, Igwe Ralph Ekpeh thanked sponsors of the initiative, and encouraged people to embrace agriculture, so as to minimize food scarcity, describing agriculture as part of Igbo culture and tradition.
The Chairman, Enugwu-Ukwu Agricultural Commission, Chief Jasper Okonkwo explained that the major objective of the Enugwu-Ukwu agricultural exhibition is to reactivate and reposition the long forgotten homestead agronomic practices popularly known in Anambra as “Ugbo Azuno”, in the community and expressed happiness that the initiative is already yielding positive results as the people now embraced farming, both crops and livestock, thereby tackling food insecurity.
In various interviews, a member of the Igwe Enugwu-Ukwu’s cabinet, Chief Theodore Omalu, Enugwu-Ukwu Youth Ambassador, Mr. Ndubuisi Isiadinso, the Traditional Ruler of Umuawulu, Igwe Joel Egwuonwu and the Chairman Ezumezu Umunri, Prince Emeka Eguekwe emphasized on the need for Ndigbo to uphold their rich cultural heritage and language, and observed that farming is the only solution to the present economic challenges in Nigeria, as the oil sector has already failed, describing farming business as a lucrative venture.
The APGA flag-bearer for Anambra state House of Assembly, Njikoka One Constituency in the next year’s elections, Mr. Chidi Ibemeka and Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu stressed the need for farmers to be supported and encouraged by community leaders and government to reawaken people’s mind towards agriculture.
In his remark on behalf of the farmers, Nze Joe Anaelom who smiled home with a brand new motorcycle, after winning this year’s contest with his hefty tubers of yam, thanked God and the sponsors of the event for the honour done him, and promised to put more effort in his farming business.
Igwe Ekpeh later retired to his palace where he officially marked this year’s Olili Onwa Asato with his subjects, friends and well-wishers, and thanked God for a bountiful harvest in the community this year, as well as prayed for God’s blessings on them in subsequent years.
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