Ikwuano-Obodoukwu celebrates 2026 New Yam festival
Ikwuano-Obodoukwu Autonomous community came alive on Sunday August 9, as people from all walks of life converged on the palace of His Royal Highness, Eze Jude Obidiegwu, the paramount ruler of Ikwuano-Obodoukwu autonomous community in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State for the 2026 New Yam festival.
The event began with a thanksgiving Mass, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Eke Obodoukwu, during which the chief celebrant, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Onyema commended the leaders of Ikwuano autonomous community for beginning their ceremony with the Mass, urging them to continue to put their faith and trust in God.
Eze Obidiegwu led members of the community to the altar for a thanksgiving to God for the successful completion of the farming season.
Addressing newsmen at the occasion, the traditional ruler described the New Yam festival as one of the prominent cultural festivals in Igboland created to further advance the culture of the people.
The Eze used the opportunity to advocate for improvement in inter personal and inter communal relationship among all the autonomous communities in within Obodoukwu and beyond.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Mcchuks Ihionu commended the Eze Ikwuano-Obodoukwu for his sterling leadership qualities which he said has been instrumental to the successes recorded by the community.
While declaring that the festival will continue to get better in the years to come, he appealed to members of the community to continue to show their support and solidarity to the Unity Palace of Ikwuano-Obodoukwu.
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Speaking on the importance of the festival, the Onowu of Ikwuano-Obodoukwu, Chief Vitus Uzoh, described the festival as a credible platform to champion the course of peace, unity, love, development and togetherness among all the sons and daughters of Obodoukwu clan.
He equally commended members of Ikwuano-Obodoukwu Development Committee (IDC) for their contributions towards the success of the festival.
The array of dignitaries that attended the occasion include the member representing Ideato North and South Federal constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the member representing Ideato North State constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Okey Udeze, the Executive Chairman, Ideato North Local Government Area, Hon Arch. Chukwunonso Okparaeke, and a host of other political leaders within Ideato nation.
The festival was also witnessed by traditional rulers in Obodoukwu clan, led by the paramount ruler of Obodoukwu Clan, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chika Dim, Agbakwuruibe II, the Obi of Obodoukwu Ancient Kingdom; others include the paramount ruler of Umume-Obodoukwu autonomous community, His Royal Highness, Eze Emmanuel Obiako, the Obi of Ekulieaka-Obodoukwu Autonomous community, His Royal Highness, and Eze Sir C.I Ezika, Ezekulie 1, among others.
The Oganihu Age Grade, Ofuobi Age Grade, Ezinwanne Age Grade as well as Idinotu Social Club among others were on hand to pay homage to the paramount ruler of Ikwuano-Obodoukwu
Highpoints of the event was the formal Iwaji and Iriji ceremony performed by the Obi of Ikwuano Autonomous Community as well as cultural performances by the famous Njima Ikwuano cultural troupe, Igbo Enwezu Cultural Dance of Umuagbadagwo village among others.
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