Oba Monarch, Emelobe, Celebrates Maiden New Yam Festival in Grand Style
The traditional ruler of Oba community,His Royal Majesty, Igwe Engr. Augustine Chinedum Emelobe
The Oba community in Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, was agog over the weekend as their traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Engr. Augustine Chinedum Emelobe, celebrated his maiden New Yam Festival in grand style.
The event, which took place at Igwe Emelobe’s palace in Okuzu, Oba, drew a large gathering of sons and daughters of the community, alongside distinguished guests from far and near.
The celebration began with a sermon delivered by Venerable Okoye, an Anglican priest, who offered prayers of thanksgiving to God for the successful commencement of the monarch’s first New Yam Festival.
In his sermon, Venerable Okoye urged the people of Oba to remain steadfast in their faith, worshiping God in truth and spirit. He also emphasized that aspects of traditional practices, devoid of fetish elements, should be embraced to preserve cultural identity.
Addressing the gathering, Igwe Engr. Emelobe reminded his people that the New Yam Festival is an age-long cultural heritage observed by many communities across Igboland.
He expressed gratitude to God for a bountiful harvest, describing yam as the “chief crop” in Igbo tradition.
According to him, the festival symbolizes the celebration of life, abundance, and agricultural productivity.
The event featured a rich display of Igbo cultural heritage, with various traditional dances, masquerade performances, and music.
Traditional rulers from neighboring communities, along with friends, well-wishers, and associates of the monarch, came in large numbers to pay homage.
In a joint media interaction, the Onowu of Oba, Chief Sir Boniface Onyeka; the President General of Oba, Engr. Anthony-Uzo Ejiofor; and the Secretary General of Oba Progressive Union (OPU), Sir Nwabueze Emebo, all advocated for peaceful and harmonious coexistence among community members.
They emphasized that peace is a prerequisite for meaningful development and called on the people to give their unflinching support to the monarch to enable him to fulfill his responsibilities.
Also speaking at the event, a former President General of Oba, Reverend Chris Afam Emelie, commended Igwe Emelobe’s vision and leadership.
He revealed that the monarch had already established over 30 committees aimed at driving development across the community.
According to him, Igwe Emelobe’s emergence was a divine blessing to Oba, and he called for total support from all indigenes.
In their separate remarks, Hon. Ikenna Iyiegbu, Hon. Uche Okonkwo, a close friend of the monarch from Delta State, Engr. Anthony Okoh, Barrister Bismarck Ighorodje, and High Chief Charles Olisaemeka, all praised the festival as a platform through which the Igbo people showcase their cultural heritage, promote unity, and encourage socioeconomic transformation.
Other notable dignitaries in attendance included High Chief Charles Olisaemeka (Obi Ichi Igwulube Oba), Chairman of Aboji Village Engr. Emeka Chukwurah, and Engr. Udoka Uzochukwu Ozougwumba.
The high points of the occasion were the ceremonial cutting and eating of yam, and a captivating Ufie (royal drum) dance performance by Igwe Engr. Emelobe, which drew thunderous applause from the audience.
