Ezumeri Village in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Council Area has celebrated ili-ji festival at the Obi Ezumeri, Oraifite.
The ili-ji festival which drew prominent sons and daughters, relatives, friends and well-wishers of the community, provided another opportunity for the villagers to renew their alliances and showcase their rich cultural heritage as masquerades and cultural dances from various quarters of Ezumeri entertained the people.
Speaking to the ABS, the President General of Ezumeri Community, Mr. Obiora Offoh said the feast of New Yam otherwise called Ifejioku in the Village, is a celebration of life, accomplishments in the community and a way to thank God for bountiful harvests, underscoring the importance of Agriculture in attaining food security.
Mr. Offoh encouraged youths to go back to agriculture for self-sufficiency, and as well, key into Anambra State Government Agricultural programmes and lauded the state government for introducing various programmes to boost agriculture in the state.
The Obi of Ezumeri, Chief Obiora Obaa-Ezenwora who traced the history of Ifejioku in the community, said the harvest of yams and celebration of the gods of the land through the new yam festival signified end of famine and bountiful harvests for the people and prayed for peace and unity in the community.
Some elders of Ezumeri community, including Chiefs Raymond Nketa and Onwumelu Anaemenam laid emphasis on yam cultivation and the need for people to refrain from abominable acts that bring curse to the land.
Some stakeholders in the community including, Chief Innocent Offiaeli, Chief George Enyiobi and Sir Osselloka Offoh among others spoke on the importance of agriculture in job creation and the Ifejioku festival which according to them, unifies the community, advised youths to shun evil pledging their support to the programmes of their community.
The event reports that Obi Ezumeri, Chief Obaa-Ezenwora earlier performed the traditional kolanut ritual and cutting of yam which ushered in the festival while Ufie dance by titled men in the community added colour to the Ifejioku festival.
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