By amaechi kingsley
Ogbor Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano Local Government of Imo State had a hitch free and successful new yam festival last weekend at the Ogbor open field despite all odds as top government officials and dignitaries of the Imo state government shunned the invitations.
While celebrating with his people, the Deputy Vice Chairman of Imo Council of Ndi-Eze, HRH Eze Dr. Mathew Onweni stressed that the new yam festival which had been a cultural practice of ndi-Igbo has extended to other boundaries to embrace religion and politics.
In a brief interview, Eze Dr. M. Onweni further decried the deplorable state of the road in Ogbor Autonomous Community adding that several plea have been made to draw the attention of the government for its rehabilitation, noting that he had hoped the government invitees to attend the event so as to witness the deplorable condition of the road which is still been ravaged by flood. He however expressed confidence in the administration of Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and hoped that his Rescue Mission Agenda will intervene to bring succor in Ogor Autonomous community. He advised Ogbor people and Imolite to be law abiding.
Earlier in a brief address, the Chairman of the 2013 Ogbor new yam festival Hon. Chief A.C. Obi, pointed that yam is the only food crop an Igbo man coins his name from, and expressed his profound joy for being singled out as one to anchor this year’s iriji festival, Hon. Chief A.C. Obi frowned at those who do not encourage the sustenance of culture and traditional practices in Igbo Land.
Commending the Imo State government for his efforts through the Community Government Council CGC, Hon. Chief A.C. Obi pleaded for the rehabilitation of the road leading to Ogbor community.
In a separate address, the Council Secretary Barr Nze Ikedi E. Chukwu noted that this year’s new yam festival has been dampened by the impassable state of Ogbor roads stating that several protest letters and representations through the appropriate organ of the state have been made but to no avail.
Meanwhile in an iriji message titled; “Don’t Lose Your Identity: Retain Valuable Indigenous Culture” Barr Nze Ikedi went further to explain few most cherished ways of life inherited from generations past. He blamed crime and immorality to the Europeanization of our society alienating our tradition and culture, adding that western education has threatened to extinguish the black race.
In a separate interviews Dr. Henry Nwoka, Chief Innocent E. Ohanwadike and Barr Obi C.N. expressed their profound delight to a successful exhibition of the 2013 new yam festival in Ogbor and hope for its sustenance, and prayed that the community maintains the peace and crime free environment being observed in the community. Highpoint of the event was the breaking and eating of the new yam by Eze Dr. M Onweni and prize presentation to farmer in different categories.
