IT was all joy and excitement as Chief Newton Jibunoh, the Isagba and Nna Omu of Akwukwu-Igbo kingdom, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State celebrated the 2024 annual New Yam Festival in line with the tradition of the good people of Akwukwu-Igbo.
The event, which took place at his country home in Akwukwu-Igbo community, was witnessed by galaxy of friends, and well-wishers from far and near, who came to celebrate with the “ Desert Warrior”.
In a chat with a culture enthusiast and Public Relations expert, Mr. Godfrey Osakwe, who witnessed the occasion, he explained that new yam festival (Iwaji) is celebrated in Anioma nation and across the Igboland annually after planting and harvesting of crops to thank God Almighty for the sustenance of life.
He maintained that the Iwaji festival is also a period of obeisance to the ancestors for bountiful harvest, as it signals the commencement of the eating of new yam, adding that as an agrarian community, Akwukwu-Igbo boasts of a rich and fertile land, while yam is regarded as the king of crops in Anioma nation. He declared that new yam festival (Iwaji) is celebrated annually with pomp and pageantry both at home and in diaspora by those who reverence their culture.
The Akwukwu-Igbo-born public relations professional, prayed to Almighty God to continue to guide and protect Chief Newton Jibunoh and the good people of Akwukwu-Igbo to witness greater years ahead.
