It was a festive mood as members of Ogboada Welfare Association, danced to old school tunes and cultural music, while celebrating their annual new yam festival and end of the year party.
The double events which took place in Awka, attracted families, friends and well wishers of the members of the association.
As a prelude to the new yam festival, a retired Professor of Igbo language and culture, Professor Godwin Onyekaonwu, gave an elaborate lecture on yam as a staple food and said that the celebration of new yam festival unites communities across Igbo land.
The Chief Patron of the Association, Dr Ernest Ifebi, cut a roasted tuber of yam signifying the “iwa ji” part of the celebration.
Roasted yam with palm oil, garnished with oil bean, salt and utazi leaves, a local recipe for roasted yam, were served to the members and guests who feasted with various drinks of their choice as well as palm wine.
Speaking with the ABS, the Chief Patron, Dr Ifebi, countered the belief in some quarters that celebration of new yam is fetish, and called on the younger generation to uphold the culture as part of Igbo tradition.
The Chairman on the occasion and former Managing Director of the ABS, Prince Amobi Adirika, said Odoagba Welfare Association is an association of like minds who gather to celebrate friendship which started many years ago adding that the festival is an annual event of the group.
Also speaking, the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District Senator Victor Umeh represented by APGA state Auditor, Mr Nchekwube Dunga, while expressing happiness at the occasion, reminded the people that APGA is a party for the Igbos and called on them to vote for the party in next year elections.
In her remarks, a member of the organising committee, Mrs Adaeze Onyebuchi, explained that the Association is a gathering of great
minds who come together regularly to have a swell time in a stress-free atmosphere. A friend of the group, Sir MacBenito Ozigbo, thanked them for their hospitality noting that they are people of influence who are among the decision makers in Anambra state and
expressed excitement for being part of them.
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