Ogwuaga Abba Sons & Daughters, Imo Leaders Celebrate Eze Obinna Akwiwu’s First New Yam Festival In Grand Style 

A profound moment of cultural rebirth and unity, a significant resuscitation of an age-long New Yam festival (Emume Iriji Ohuru), which was last celebrated in 2013 before the demise of HRH Eze (Justice) G.G.I. Ojiako (C.J, Rtd ) KSM, CON, (Dim Ohamadike l of Ogwuaga Abba) in 2016, at the age of 86 years.

Indeed, it was an epoch-making event; very colourful and successful by all indices of assessment given the mass turnout among the five villages of Dimagu, Mbara Uhuala, Uriabia, Amato, and Ukwubemgba, with the full support of Ogwuaga Abba illustrious sons and daughters in the diaspora, including the critical leaders, show of solidarity among ndi Nze na Ozo Abba title holders, and the traditional rulers from the other  three communities of Umuopara Abba, Umudurunna Abba, and Ekitiafor Abba.

It was a watershed event recognized by the Imo Council of Traditional Rulers under the leadership of HRM Eze Dr. E.C. Okeke CON (Ezeudo ll of Amaifeke Ancient Kingdom) and the State  Government as further affirmation of the  coronation of His Royal Highness Eze Duru Oshimiri— Obinna Akwiwu (Dim Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba, Oshimiri Ukeje ll of Abba), as the State Governor — His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodimma — was ably represented by the Imo State House of Assembly members drawn from each of the senatorial districts and led by the Imo Deputy Speaker — Rt. Hon. Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu, KSC.

On arrival to the Royal Palace with his Ugoeze, Acharaugo Victoria Akwiwu, HRH Eze Duru Oshimiri (Atata) — Obinna Akwiwu was received with 21 gunshots in the air, which heralded the official kick- off of the cultural festivity as different cultural dance troupes and Chiefs accompanied him to the arena within the vast ground of his Palace.

The long-awaited emume iriji ohuru (New Yam festival), a symbolic celebration of bountiful harvest, unity, and culture unfolded in grandstyle as creme of the society; industrialists, academics, traditional rulers, religious leaders, socio-cultural groups, opinion moulders, Imo political gladiators, State and Federal lawmakers including students who are under the educational scholarships of Eze Ogwuaga— Duru Oshimiri Obinna Akwiwu (Dim Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba), were all in attendance.

A festival which transcended the bounds of a mere cultural showcase— a sacred covenant of gratitude, abiding grace, and divine season as the traditional ruler, members of his royal cabinet, illustrious sons and daughters of Ogwuaga Abba  poured out their hearts in thanksgiving to God Almighty for His unfailing love, protection, and overflowing blessings.

During his remarks— Chairman of the 2025 Emume Iriji Ohuru Ogwuaga Abba, an illustrious son of the community, a  road construction giant, and uncommon philanthropist —  High Chief Johnbosco Chukwuma Ozigbu Ph.D (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga, Ikenga Igbo)— adorned with a highly classical and stylish Rivers Etibo  attire with a combination of lion,  elephant, bull, and leopard, matched with a damask gown while his Ikenga red cap had a touch of cowry — which represents cultural heritage, pride, wealth, and legacy.

High Chief Johnbosco Ozigbu Ph.D, stated in the following words to the Eze and people of the community, “We are strongly behind our traditional ruler, and we are supporting all his programs. We thank the government of Imo State, ably represented here by the litany of House Members from every zone in Imo State. There are a lot of infrastructural and developmental projects that are in the pipeline and in the making. Some of them are coming from the Presidency because the President knows you. Some are coming from the governor, and some are also coming using some of your subjects like my humble self as a conduit to make sure that developmental infrastructure gets here”.

Chief Engr. Ifeanyi Okoroigwe, representative of High Chief Tony Chukwu, during an interview session with yours sincerely, thanked God Almighty for the first New Yam  celebration under the traditional leadership of HRH Eze Obinna Akwiwu (Dim Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba), commending the organisers for a good job while appealing to everyone to join hands together to build a more progressive Ogwuaga Abba, where  brotherly love, unity of purpose and development will ultimately reign.

Despite the heavy downpour as nature had its cause during the festivity; it neither stopped the event nor aborted God’s original plan for the royal throne as it all turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Every raindrop that fell

became a shower of blessing, giving the environment the oasis of serenity and peacful calm amidst the hot weather. As usual, Eze Duru Oshimiri — Obinna Akwiwu and his amazon of Ugoeze in their full royal regalia displayed majestic  grandeur and simplicity waving at the people and receiving cheers from the crowd who came out to celebrate the New Yam festival.

In his brief speech before officially cutting the new yam, Eze Ogwuaga Abba— Akwiwu thanked the gods of the land for a bountiful New Yam harvest in 2025, praying God Almighty to keep everyone alive to witness the next emume iriji ohuru in 2026.

Among the diginatries captured by the media lens of yours sincerely included but not limited to;

High Chief Paul Ozigbu (Ekwueme Nnanyereugo ll of Abba), Traditional Prime Minister of Ogwuaga Abba, High Johnbosco Ozigbu Ph.D (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga), Chairman of the occasion, Rt. Hon. Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu , Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Onyemachi Kanayo , Majority leader of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Barr. Chisom Ojukwu, member representing Nkwerre Constituency, Hon. Udeze Ernest Okechukwu, member representing Ideato South Constituency, Hon. Chydon Ochuwaraenyi Ogunikpa, member representing Okigwe Constituency, Hon. Hign Chief Cosmos Maduba, Imo Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Barr. Emeka Mgbudem, Imo Commissioner for Petroleum & Gas, Chief Paul Duru, Executive Chairman of Nwangele LGA, Chief Engr. Dr. Kenneth Ebubeogu (Ubawuike of Abba), Chief Obinna Duruaku, HRH Eze Ndubueze Maduabuchukwu (Uburu ll of Abba), HRH Eze Chris Agbugba, HRH Eze Uzoma Onunenyi, HRH Eze Duru Godwin Shiweobi ably represented by his son— Dr. Obinna Shiweobi, Chief Ezugo Nwandu (Owelle of Enugwu Ukwu) ably representing the Nwandu family, Chief Azubike Akwiwu, secretary of the Emume iriji planning committee, Chief Henry Ofoegbu, Chairman of the planning committee, Barr. Chike Stan Ofoma, Chief Chuks Alakwem, Chief Chinedu Alakwem, Chief Ben Mbanaso, Chief Barr. Martin Achonye, Chief Emmanuel Akwiwu Jr and Lolo Ure Akwiwu, Chief Arinze Akwiwu and Lolo Onyinye Akwiwu, Princess Akudo Arodiogbu and her amiable husband Chief Chinedu Arodiogbu, Chief Nze Morgan Chikezie, Chief Kerian Ikeata , Emeritus Traditional Prime Minister of Ogwuaga Abba, Chief Eddy Okoroha, Emeritus Chairman of Ogwuaga Abba Council of Traditional Rulers, Hon. Chief Amb. Prince Charles Mbachu, former Sole Administrator of Nwangele LGA, Chief Engr. Onyinyechi Ozigbu (Ogazi Amaka of Abba), Chief Barr. Ahamefula Ozigbu, Chief Chukwuma Ozigbu.

The well attended event was rich in culture, masquerade display, Ogwuaga Abba women dance group, royal  blessings by traditional rulers and ndi Nze na Ozo Abba, presentation by students as everyone had more than enough to eat and drink. A beautiful memory that would be treasured for a long time.