Ifite Ogbeadiji Marks Ashaolu Nnobi, Doles Award To Indigenes
By polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
It was indeed an exhibition of Igbo Cultural heritage as the people of Ifite Ogbeadiji community of Nnobi in Idemili South local government area of Anambra State celebrated Ashaolu Nnobi 2024.
The Ashaolu Nnobi Community is a famous age-long annual New Yam festival (Iwa-Ji) with agricultural revolution and enhanced food production as its main focus.
This year’s Ashaolu which was held at Ifite Ogbeadiji village square was said to be the first of its celebration in Ifite Ogbeadiji and was single handedly sponsored by their illustrious Son, High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu (Ikemba Nnobi).
Among those who received awards during the event included; High Chief Obinna Ufudo, Diasporas of Ifite Ogbeadiji, High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu, Prophet Ifeanyi Marcel Oguegbulu, Sir Rufus A. C. Onwuatudo, Dr. Mrs Thelma Ezeonu who was represented by Nnobi community women leader, lady Ifeyinwa Nnekwelugo.
Performing the Iwa-ji ritual, Ichie Ezechikwadolu, Chief Linus Umeh stated that he was glad to celebrate this year’s Ashaolu Nnobi 2024, praying that it shall be well with entire Ifite Ogbeadiji village both at home and in diaspora.
He also prayed and predicted that next year’s farming plantation would be greater than this year’s plantation, asserting that any field of endeavors someone found himself is a profession, just as he described trading, civil service, farming amongst others as a profession.
He solicited for God’s maximum protections to the Ifite Ogbeadiji people as well as abundance prosperity which he said was the hallmark of the celebration.
Speaking shortly, the traditional ruler of Nnobi Kingdom, HRM, Engr. Nick Muodum expressed gratitude to God for this year’s Ashaolu, saying it is a celebration of the New Yam festival which their forefathers celebrated.
He disclosed that Ashaolu and Iwa-ji festival is not idol worshiping, saying that the celebration is to commemorate the aims of their fore father’s zeal in cultivating yam as the king of staple crop in Igboland.
The monarch in a special way offered prayers to High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu, saying that it shall be well with him for using his resources in developing the community, even as he equally prayed for the blessings, peace and love to the entire Community.
Equally speaking, the sponsor of the event, High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu, Ikemba Nnobi said he decided to sponsor the event in order to promote Igbo Cultural heritage and the Ifite Ogbeadiji Community in general.
He described the Ashaolu festival as a reminder to every Igbo Man to embrace culture as well as agricultural production in order to eradicate hunger in Igboland, explaining that Igwe of a town would be the first to celebrate New Yam before other people.
Ikemba Nnobi noted that there is a need to make the New Yam festival in Igboland a regional affair, a situation where they can specify a particular date when the entire Ndigbo across the five speaking states would celebrate the Iri-ji festival.
He suggested that it should be a regional Iri-ji festival that could attract International attention to make it a tourist event and attract tourists from different parts of the world in order to expand tourism in Igboland.
Similarly, the Chairman of Ifite Ogbeadiji, Comrade Stanley Izuegbunamu lauded High Chief Ezeonu for saving the entire Community from contributing money for the Ashaolu, praying God to continue to bless him more.
He recounted roofing the village hall, building roads amongst others as development which he said High Chief Ezeonu attracted in their community, just as Chief Frank Iyke Ezeanya hinted that Nnobi community do not joke with culture.
He praised stakeholders in the community especially Ikemba Nnobi who he said sponsored the event, describing New Yam festival as a thanksgiving to God for a successful plantation and harvesting of the new yam.
Other speakers comprising; Mr. Mmadunagu Chimezie and Chief Dr. Ike Edwin averred that High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu is a great man who has attracted a lot of development in their community.
The transition council Chairman of Idemili South LGA, Mrs Amaka Obi, President General of Nnobi, Barrister Dominic Okpala, High Chief Ikechukwu Azugo (Okenwa Nnobi), High Chief Sunday Ezeoke (Ikenga Nnobi), Nze Nwachukwu Uzuagu,
Ichie Ojiukwu Nnobi
Ichie Ezechikwadolu
among others were dignitaries on the occasion.
The historic event featured; various women dancing troupe, masquerade outing, best yam producers competition which Mr. Chukwudi Ogbuefi emerged first position with #100,000 reward.
