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| Ndigbo United Assembly, Ajao Estate Zone (Photo: ADA DIKE) |
For sons and daughters of Igbo Speaking Community
in Lagos, it was a period of merriment when they gathered to celebrate New Yam
(Iri ji) Festival recently.
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| PHOTO: ADA DIKE |
The event which took place at the National
Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on October 19, 2013, kicked off around 12.30 pm with
introduction of dignitaries, opening prayer and the rendition of the National
Anthem.
While giving a brief meaning of New Yam Festival,
the chairman of the occasion, Chief Executive Officer of Ifesinachi Motors,
Prince Emeka Mamah, in his speech said that celebration of New Yam festival did
not start today. “We celebrate yam now that is it new before any Igbo man eats
it. It is a tradition and it started from our fore fathers and after today,
there will be a continuation of it. I thank the Igbo for the good works and its
reward comes in four fold. Though, we are visitors in Lagos, those in the east
expect us to be home one day,” he said.
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| Standing is the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Executive Officer of Ifesinachi Motors, Prince Emeka Mamah, Chief Ebere Ubani (R) and other personalities at the occasion (PHOTO: ADA DIKE) |
He also prayed to God to continue to bless
everyone in their endeavours.
Also speaking, the president General, Igbo
Speaking Community in Lagos State, Chief Ebere Ubani, welcomed all the guests
and explained that the event was significant to the Igbo because it originated
from Igbo land and it is a time to thank God for keeping us alive and harvest
new yams.
There was no dull moment as different
cultural groups displayed and unveiled their culture and tradition in their
attires, music and dance steps.
According to the custom, after prayers were
offered, some traditional leaders led by the Royal Father of the Day, His
Highness, Igwe Dr. Martin Eze, the Igwe Idu 11 of Igbo-ukwu, cut the yam. This
was preceded by the coronation and instalment of chieftaincy titles to many
illustrious sons of Igbo land and a few Yoruba men including Dr. Chairman, Oodua
Peoples’ Congress (OPC) and Chairman, Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Dr.
Frederick Faseun and Former Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr, Segun
Ogundimu was conferred with an honour as “Nwanne Di Na Mba of Ndigbo’’ (A good
brother in another land).
The compere of the occasion, Hon. Chief
Victor Nwoko, Former Chairman of Igbo Speaking Community, Oshodi and Ejigbo
Chapter, also a politician from Imo State, said it is a pleasant thing to
celebrate new yam festival. He thanked God who made it possible for people to
plant and harvest yam successfully. “We appreciate the Igbo from Abia, Imo,
Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Rivers and Delta states who live in Lagos and found it
worthy to participate in this festival.”
He also thanked non-Igbo speaking guests,
especially, the Yoruba who identified with the Igbo in many events.
Representatives from different zones in all
the Local Council Development Area of Lagos State including Ifako-Ijaiye, Amuwo
Odofin, Apapa, Surulere, Ajao Estate, Ibeju Lekki, Ojodu, Badagry, Mushin,
Mainland and so on, had stands where they occupied and entertained their
friends and groups with refreshment such as kolanuts and its sauce, garden
eggs, roasted yams, fried and jollof rice with meat and assorted drinks. People
from Ogun State were also at the occasion.
“D”-Lilly of the Valley entertainment band
did not fail to entertain the audience with good music. Many other highlife and
drummers also performed at the event.
Among the dignitaries that graced the
occasion were: Prof. Laz Ekwueme, Chief C. I. Anagbogu, Egbuo Dike na-ogu ulo
nke mbu n’Isuofia, His Royal Majesty, Nwajagu Fred, Eze Oji mma Egbu-aku 1 of
Anambra State, Chief Mrs. Irene Amaka Nwosu, Chief Edwin Ibezimako, Nze Ezike
Ogumba Amichi, Engr. Ken O. Ebenezer, Prince Emeka Oparaochaekwe, Omenesi 1 of
Ulakwo, Prince Gozie Ojuro, Nwakaibie Na Azia, Prince Okey Jones Uche,
Nnabuenyi of Arondizuogu and Prince Emeka Otigba.
Others were: Chief Felix Orakwe, Chairman,
Founding Fathers Forum, South East PDP Forum, Lagos, , Lagos Chairman, People
Democratic Party (PDP), Tunji Shelle and Chief Mrs.
Dallas, Women leader of UPN, Lagos.
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