By Patrick Ochei
Ugboba Kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State is an agrarian community, known for her richness in agriculture and mineral resources, especially the lignite coal. Aside the natural endowment bestowed on her land by God, the culture of the people is another tourist attraction to emulate of the community.
On Sunday the 22nd day of September, 2024, the cerebral monarch of the kingdom, HRM Obi Emmanuel Ezedimbu Nkebakwu celebrated his annual new yam festival (Iwaji Obi) to the admiration of all indigenes and visitors alike.
Whilst everyone had so much to eat, especially the yam in its pounded form, the people serenaded the entire atmosphere by their loyalty and accolades which sounded more like music in the ear, in addition to the usual festival singing and dancing.
To the people, the Traditional Ruler has exceeded their expectation in terms of inclusive leadership, sacrificial service and transparency in managing the affairs of the community. This show of loyalty and praise singing was exemplified by the quantum of homage paid on the young royalty on a day designated for him to eat the new yam for the first time in the year.
The number of gifts from groups and individuals was enormous, ranging from Ugboba Development Union, Issele-Uku Branch, Ugboba Development Union, Lagos Branch, Ogbe-Obi Youth Association, in-laws from Ubulu-Uno Kingdom, Umu Aregbezie Youth Group, Ugboba Development Youth Association, Asaba Branch, Madam Celestina Okonedo, Staff of the Ugboba Primary Healthcare Center, family of the Abojei and others, who came with tubers of yams, drinks, goat, cash, etc to celebrate with their amiable king.
The elated Obi Nkebakwu who had previously celebrated series of festivals in the 2024 calendar, including the Idu Olu on the eve of his Iwaji up until the morning where the yam porridge (Awai) was prepared and served to the titled men with the traditional Nnuedi (others call it Otite), appreciated God and his Ancestors for a bountiful harvest season.
According to him, “Iwaji in our place signifies when we come out from the period of famine (unwu) to harvest period. It is a renewal period – a time when we get things to become better again for the people. Indeed, it has been a successful farming season for us, and even symbolically, you could see the yams that were brought for me by the people. That means it has been a bountiful harvest season for us.
“Of course, we are very grateful to Almighty God and to our Ancestors for a productive year. And for the beautiful culture and traditions they passed down to us, making it possible for us to be able to celebrate the harvest of our crops in peace and unity, we humbly thank them. Again, you experienced the clemency of the weather, even when it was very cloudy, it still brightened up; that shows our God and our Ancestors are always with us when we celebrate.
“I have given my life as a life of service to my people, and that again has manifested to what you have seen today. It’s my pleasure and honour to serve my people the way I am doing. What I have asked God is to continue to bless me with wisdom and enrich me with knowledge, so I can continue to serve my people better. It’s my prayer to continue to serve them diligently according to how God has designed it for me.
“One thing about my people is the peace and harmony that exist here; and it’s all about coordinative leadership. When they see something they respond to it positively, especially when it is a good thing. They have continued to respond positively to my style of leadership which are inclusiveness, sacrifice, transparency and visionary leadership, being the embodiment of my style. That’s what I have brought to bear for the whole of my people in Ugboba, Aniocha North, Delta State and beyond.
“What we do here is manifesting significantly towards the progress of Nigeria. As small as we are, we are contributing significantly and immensely to the purse of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Not every community does that, but we have done that through unity, perseverance and responsibility.
“On this note, I wish to commend and appreciate my people for their understanding and support as we continue to join hands together to develop our community. I urge them to continue to live an honest life of hard-work, diligence and perseverance in order to conquer the forces of difficulty and hardship that are prevalent in our country today. I wish to implore them not to give up on their good ways. And for those that came from different places to celebrate with us, I appreciate you too. May God continue to bless you all as we begin another seasonal journey. Akaene Ahoene … Akaene Ga Kanma!”, Obi Ezedimbu said.
Meanwhile, giving a perspective on the colourful ambience of the new yam festival celebration, the President General of Ugboba Development Union, Mr. Ike Nnabuife said it was a product of coordination.
His words, “We were able to organize and coordinate the people based on their involvement and desires on how community affairs are handled. We pray God to continue to give us the wisdom and wherewithal to make our culture a reference point in the world. My advice to our people is to not allow this beautiful culture from our forebears die in their hands.
“It is also my prayer that God gives us the wisdom, wherewithal and courage to continue to make Ugboba proud. Our culture will not die, it will continue to blossom from generation to generations”, the PG prayed.
