By Chiedu Uche Okoye/Bridget Nwoye :
The Traditional Ruler of Abatete in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State, Igwe Chinyelugo Efobi, Eze Edeogu II had prayed to God to bless the undertakings of his subjects and give them new beginnings in their respective endeavours.
Igwe Efobi said the prayer in his palace while performing the cultural rites that would herald his celebration of the New Yam festival.
“We thank God for giving us bountiful harvests from our farms; and we are praying fervently that the next year’s harvest will be more plenteous.”.
Igwe Efobi, who likened the celebration of the new yam festival to the dawn of a new year, said that it is customary for his celebration of the New Yam festival to precede his subjects’ celebration of theirs.
The Abatete New Yam festival, which is also known as ‘Alummuo’, is a time during which natives of Abatete thank God for giving them bountiful farm produce from their farms. They also use the occasion to pray to God for more plentiful yields in the incoming year.
It is historically known that the traditional ruler’s celebration of the new yam festival empowers his subjects, culturally to start eating new yams.
In his own remarks, Chief Clement Anaelikwu, who is Otie Abatete and Obi Nsukwu, said that the Abatete Iwaji Festival is a cultural heritage, which they would leave behind for future generations of Abatete people.
During the festival, the President General Abatete Development Organization (ADO) , Chief Lawrence Okoye led members of his staff to pay homage to Igwe Chinyelugo Efobi, Edeogu II.
Members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), Idemili North LGA Chapter, led by Comrade Chiamaka Ilorah were also at the Igwe Chinyelugo Efobi’s palace to congratulate him on his celebration of the Iwaji festival.
Ilorah described Igwe Efobi as a friend of the youths, who had lent support to the NYCN and offered members of the group judicious advice.
She said the friendly relationship, which exists between the traditional ruler of Abatete and them, informed their visit to the Igwe’s palace for the new yam celebration.
The 2022 New Yam celebration of Igwe Chinyelugo Efobi was attended by members of his ruling cabinet, Abatete people, and friends of the Abatete people.
The officers report from Abate, Idemili North LGA.
