Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
It was a display of the rich Igbo cultural heritage Thursday, as Onu Ibina Igbere community, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State rolled out the drums to celebrate their New Yam festival.
Cultural troupes including the popular Ohafia war dance troupe, and masquerades of different shapes and sizes were on display at the glamorous annual event.
It also featured exhibitions by farmers who showcased their surplus harvest, and a novelty match between All Stars Igbere and All Stars Abia North.
Igbere Secondary School playground, venue of the ceremony, was filled to its full capacity as locals and friends of the ancient community thronged out in their numbers to catch a glimpse of the moment.
This year’s outing was made more colorful as it coincided with the 42nd birthday ceremony of an illustrious son of the community and the governorship running mate of the Young Progressive Party, YPP, Chief Chima Anyaso.
Anyaso almost turned it into a political carnival of sorts as he injected some other side attractions including the novelty football match and special Church service to make the event more colourful.
Speaking at the event, Anyaso described New Yam festival as a symbol of Igbo unique identify and enviable cultural heritage.
He thanked God for preserving his life for the past 42 years and for the height he had already attained in life.
The deputy governorship hopeful noted that without God he would not have been able to record the achievements he had so far posted.
He solicited the support of the people for his political ambition, promising to leverage on the high platform, if elected into power in 2023, to affect more lives.
Speaking after the historic cutting/slicing of the new yam, the traditional ruler of Ibina Ukwu Igbere community, His Royal Highness, Eze Joseph Anyanta, described “Iri Ji (new yam) as a special ceremony supported by God and celebrated by the people as a way of thanking God for bountiful harvest.”
He said that Igbere people had rich culture that could be harnessed for greater gains and for projecting the image of Abia State and Igboland to the outside world.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Abia State Traditional Prime Ministers Council, Chief Uche Akwukwuegbu (BAWAS) who chaired the ceremony, commended Igbere community for upholding the Igbo cultural heritage.
He also commended Chief Anyaso for adding colour to the event and for his numerous philanthropic gestures which had positively affected many lives.
Chief Akwukwuegbu said there was no adventure as rewarding as service to humanity.
Preaching earlier in an interdenominational church service, the Officiating Minister, Reverend Preiz Imoh Orji, harped on the need for people to pursue their life vision aggressively and to render service to humanity.
He reminded the living that “there is life after death” even as he stressed that “the greatest harvest is not new yam festival, but when Jesus will harvest His people back to His Father.”
He commended Anyaso for his impactful life and vision which have put smiles on many faces.
