CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
All is now set for Alimosho Local Governments Area Igbo New Yam festival slated for Sunday 3rd December, 2023, as dignitaries from within and outside Lagos State are expected to attend the epoch event.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the event will be held at the palace of Ezendigbo, Alimosho and Chairman, Supreme Council of Igbo Ndieze, Lagos State, Eze (Dr) Lawrence Nnamdi Eze, located at No. 28 Popoola Street, Ikotun, Lagos.
Eze (Dr) Lawrence Nnamdi Eze is the Chief Host while his amiable wife, Ugoeze Udoamaka Eze and Chief (Mrs) Priscilla Ikeji will be the Mothers of the Day.
Top personalities expected to attend the epoch event include the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Special Guest of honour, Commissioner of Police, CP Augustines Akika, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene and the Executive Chairman of Igando/ Ikotun LGA, Comrade Lasis Akinsanya as Guests of Honour, under the chairmanship of Hon.Okey Joe Onuakalusi, member Federal House of Representatives (MHR).
Other guests expected are High Ambassordor Cyril Ezewele, Chief Chucks Onuegbu, Barr Bishop Ifeanyi Eneh, Chief Leonard Okafor (Oba Ojoto), Chief Canice M.C Nwachukwu, member FHR, Oru East Federal Constituency, HRM Igwe Sunny OZ Orah, Chairman Achi traditional rulers Council, Enugu State as Royal Father of the day.
Other Igbo stakeholders that will attend the event also include, Eze Christian Nwachukwu, Chief Chris Ekwilo, Barr. Chudi Offodile, Chief John Uche and members of Supreme Council of Ndieze to be led by Ezendigbo Shasha Kingdom, Eze Vincent Iwobi.
This was confirmed by Eze Lawrence Eze, who further stated that top Lagos State Government and Local Government officials will grace the occasion to consolidate the already established synergies with other ethnic groups in the State.
Eze Lawrence, who was former board member of the Federal Medical Centre and holds the title Agunabo in Awka town, Anambra State, stated the significance of the New Yam festival to Ndigbo, which is the reason it is being celebrated by the Igbo people all over the world.
He stated that the festival has its origin from the forefathers of Ndigbo, who sustained eating yam in the time of lack and maintained that yam as the chief crop for Igbo people.
He explained that the event will also be used to thank God for His mercy and protection and then take stock of various activities during the year.
Eze explained that the occasion will also be used to recognize and honour Igbo sons and daughters including friends, who have distinguished themselves in various fields and there will be display of the Igbo rich cultural heritage such masquerades, dances and others.
He explained that New Yam festival is a yearly event, which the Igbo celebrate all over the world wherever Igbo people live and it has become an avenue to showcase Igbo cultural heritage. He stated that this year’s edition will be unique because various Igbo masquerades and traditional dances will be displayed at the Palace in the course of the event.