… Igwe Ugodinaobi prays for peace, urges indigenes to ‘think home’
By Akuma Ebere
It was a colourful display of culture and unity as Azia community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State rolled out the drums to celebrate the 2025 New Yam Festival, led by its traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Igwe Francis Chikezie( Ugodinaobi II ).
The event, which took place at the monarch’s palace, drew a large crowd from across Anambra and beyond, as indigenes, guests and well-wishers defied the weather to participate in what many described as a remarkable celebration of Igbo heritage.
Declaring the festival open, Igwe Chikezie, who was celebrating his first Iwaji since receiving his certificate of recognition as the traditional ruler of Azia, expressed gratitude to God for the gift of life and the abundance witnessed in the land.
“Today is a special day set aside to thank God for life and a fruitful harvest,” the monarch said. “Cultivation is no longer limited to farm produce. Our market traders in Ogbete Enugu, Lagos and even civil servants also have reasons to celebrate growth and progress.”
He described the New Yam Festival as a sacred annual occasion when communities reflect on the blessings of the past year and commit the future to God. He prayed for long life, love, peace and divine promotion for his people, particularly those in government service.
The royal father used the opportunity to call on Azia sons and daughters in the diaspora to remember home by investing in local development, stressing that such contributions would help in creating employment, especially for the youth.
“We need our people abroad to think home,” he said. “And to those at home, be honest and trustworthy. Only then can we move this community forward together.”
Prominent members of the community who spoke during the event, including Mr. Chidi Ikeonu Ezeala Eweluchukwubido na Azia, popularly known as School Boy and High Chief Emeka Okonkwo, Eze Anayoayo, commended the Igwe’s leadership and urged citizens to rally behind him.
They described the monarch as a peace-loving and progressive leader and expressed full support for his reign.
“We are solidly behind our Igwe,” Ezeala said. “He is doing well and we want him to continue. He has our blessings.”
They also called on the youth to take pride in their cultural identity and uphold the values of the community, noting that the New Yam Festival remains a pillar of Igbo tradition that should be preserved.
The festival, which is central to the Igbo cultural calendar, is celebrated annually to offer thanks to God for a successful farming season and to seek divine favour for the coming year.
For Azia community, this year’s celebration was not only a reflection of agricultural gratitude but also a renewed commitment to unity, development and cultural continuity under the leadership of Igwe Francis Chikezie Ugodinaobi II.
