From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The celebration of New Yam festival is an annual feast that is common with the people of South Eastern part of Nigeria.
The annual festival usually offers an opportunity of promoting the rich socio cultural heritage of the Igbo tribe while adoring Yam as the king of crops.
The 2025 of it’s kind celebrated in Oji Urban Community, Enugu state on Saturday, November 15, was celebrated in grand style.
The creme de la creme of personalities from Oji River local government area who participated in the festival,including the traditional institution signifies the unity and sincerity of purpose the people attach to the promotion of their cultural heritage.
His Royal Highness, Igwe Oliver Sunday Okefi, the traditional ruler of OJI Urban autonomous Community who is also the host of the festival,set the ball rolling by performing the cultural cum traditional rites marking the 2025 New yam festival of Oji Urban.
He thanked God Almighty for the bountiful harvest of the year and prayed for improved yield next planting season.
He also prayed for the farmers to be endowed with the strength to cultivate more yams in the next planting season.
The high point of his prayers was the cutting and eating of roasted yam tubers with local delicacies soaked in red palm oil
Speaking on the event, the Traditional Prime Minister of Oji Urban autonomous community, Okeazu Tony Chukwuagozie, corroborated Igwe Oliver Okefi remarks, describing New yam festival as a very significant culture of the Igbo nation celebrated annually,since Yam is acknowledged as the king of all crops by the Igbos.
Chief Tony Ọnụorah wished that the clergy most especially, the Bishop of Oji River, Anglican Communion will be invited to join them during the 2026 New yam festival as a way of testifying that the celebration is not idolatry but a cultural heritage which encourages farmers and promotes unity among the people.
The Chairman of Achi Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Sunday Orah, who was the special guest of honour of the event, described New yam festival (Iri -Ji) as a symbolic expression of love, unity and peace Igboland.
He prayed God to continue to bless farmers and the people of Oji Urban autonomous community abundantly.
The festival was attended by illustrious sons and daughters of Oji River local government area and friends of Igwe Oliver Okefi.
They include the Chairman of Oji-River Local Government Area, Hon. Greg Chijioke Anyaegbudike, the Chairman of Oji River Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Chima Felix Achiekwelu; HRH Igwe Lawrence Obi, Nneoshi of Ugwuoba; Hon. Chinedu Onyeagba and Hon. Tony Manfred Nzekwe, both of whom had served as chairman of Oji River local government area,at different times.
Others include Lolo Mrs Harriet Mgbejiofor; Omekagu Henry Achiekwelu; Chief Oliver Mbajiofor; Ichie Sofuruchukwu Anyaragbu;
Chief Onyeka Henry Onwuka, a.k.a Igwe Mmenme of Ozu in Anambra State.
Prince Okey Ozoadibe; Chief Ovie Geoffrey Onwuakaludike, Ezeugo Ugochukwu Amagbu of Ahani Achi.
Dr. Ugochukwu Ezenyiroha, [Omekannia] and Lolo Chinyere Onowu-Onyenyiri,were among those who attended the Oji Urban autonomous community New yam festival, celebrated on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
Masquerading and traditional dance styles by various groups were part of indigent culture of residents of Oji Urban,displayed across nooks and cranny of the town by the Youths.
An elated Igwe Sunday Oliver Okefi, the traditional ruler of OJI Urban, told newsmen that he was highly excited that events that marked the 2025 New yam festival in On Urban ended peacefully.
He said the festival to a large extent is an instrument for promoting peace and unity of all residents of Oji Urban,irrespective of tribe or colour.
He described Oji-River as a town with hospitality and promise and that informs the reason why many retired civil servants and people from other towns admire to settle in Oji Urban as their second home.
