South East breaking News
The people of Avodim autonomous community in Ubakala ,Umuahia South local government area has kicked off the 2021 New yam festival ( IWAJI) with a call for the people of the community to embrace peace ,unity and love.
Speaking with Newsmen shortly after performing the IWAJI rites at the Nkwukwu market square,the traditional ruler of the community ,HRH EZE Boniface Chidi Onyemaechi ,Avoukwu II of Avodim called on the people to embrace peace , saying that where there is no peace,there will not be progress.
Eze Onyemaechi described New yam celebration as a thing of joy and happiness, adding that they are praying for restoration of peace in their community.
He said In Igbo land New yam festival signifies a new year and a period that ushers in new planting season after harvest.
He informed that the 2021 New yam celebration is unique and important to the community because it would usher in a new dawn of peace and progress to the people of Avodim.
Eze Onyemaechi pointed out that New yam festival is a time the farmers are encouraged and motivated , while appealing to government to provide and extend loan facilities to the farmers in Avodim.
Addressing Newsmen during the ceremony, chief Oliver Jacob ,Onwa Avodim , expressed happiness over the New yam celebration, saying , ” We are here to ensure there is peace and progress”
According to him, ” I am very happy with the celebration ,being a leader in a community needs wisdom because in any community there are different people with different mentality ,it needs wisdom.
” Like as we came back ,we invite everybody in the community to know how to bring peace and progress and I feel relax with my people and we thank God for His grace upon us.
” I built new Nkwukwu market for my people to help and enhance progress and development in the community.
Onwa Avodim, described New yam festival as an important aspect of Igbo culture,that brings love, peace, progress and unity ,adding that he is working harder to bring peace in his community because his late father was a peace loving man .
He described NdIgbo as hardworking people who love peace and progress, while urging the members of his community to eschew anything that will not bring peace and progress
Contributing ,the palace secretary of Avodim autonomous community, chief Emeka Nwachukwu , expressed joy and thank God for the success of the celebration.
He said the 2021 New yam festival in Avodim community is an epitome of peace, adding that conflicts hinder progress