OGWUAGA ABBA CELEBRATES CULTURAL PRIDE , LEGACY AND TRADITIONAL HERITAGE AS OZIGBU, IWUANYANWU, EJIOGU, AHIZE, MBATA, AMADI, OKORO, CHIEF PRIEST, OTHERS ATTEND NEW YAM FESTIVAL IN GRAND STYLE

OGWUAGA ABBA CELEBRATES CULTURAL PRIDE , LEGACY AND TRADITIONAL HERITAGE AS OZIGBU, IWUANYANWU, EJIOGU, AHIZE, MBATA, AMADI, OKORO, CHIEF PRIEST, OTHERS ATTEND NEW YAM FESTIVAL IN GRAND STYLE

• Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Nwangele LGA, Imo State.

The Saturday , September 12, 2026, successful new yam festival of Ogwuaga Abba in Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State, has once again, reaffirmed the people’s unwavering commitment to sustaining the Igbo rich cultural heritage and traditional legacy of their forefathers.

The epoch – making event and highly attended cultural festivity held under the traditional leadership of His Royal Highness, Eze Duru Oshimiri Ataa- Ataa (lll) Obinna Akwiwu (Dim Ohamadike II of Ogwuaga Abba) attracted prominent sons and daughters of the community both at home and in the diaspora, traditional rulers, the clergy , political leaders, ndi Nze na Ozo Abba title holders, in-laws and friends of the royal family, and other dignitaries from within and beyond Imo State.

A watershed occasion under the distinguished chairmanship of High Chief Barr. Rex C. Anunobi (Ebubedike Nkwere, Agu Abuo Ogwuaga Abba)— the Imo State Honourable Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, was co- hosted by an illustrious son of the community, and a road construction giant — Super High Chief Johnbosco C. Ozigbu, Ph.D (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga, Ikenga of Igboland).

The new yam cultural fiesta which kick- started with the arrival of the traditional ruler, Eze Duru Oshimiri Ataa- Ataa Obinna Akwiwu before an awaiting cheering crowd as 21-gunshots salute were released in the air to announce the arrival of the stylish and respected monarch- Akwiwu — setting the tone for a day filled with colour, pageantry, and traditional glamour.

From the official eating of the new yam and cultural dance by the Ogwuaga Abba women to the masquerade displays, okonko performance, ekere mgba competition and the Iriji Odu contest involving the five villages of Dimagu, Mbara Uhuala, Uriabia, Amato and Ukwubemgba, the celebration brought the community together in an atmosphere of thanksgiving and communal pride.

During his remarks, Eze Ogwuaga said:

”Today is a remarkable day for ndi Ogwuaga Abba as we celebrate our new yam festival. It is a day of thanksgiving for ndi Igbo and Ogwuaga around the world; a day of remembrance of the legacy that our ancestors bestowed on us. We have come again to celebrate; we are here again to ask God to let us see the year 2027. We have come again to thank the gods of the land as well as people from all walks of life who came to celebrate with us. As we eat the yam, so we pray that God Almighty will bless all of you ”.

For Eze Duru Oshimiri Ataa- Ataa Obinna Akwiwu, the festival represented another important moment in his stewardship of the traditional stool of Ogwuaga Abba. Coming as the second Emume Iriji Ohuru since his coronation, the event provided another opportunity for the traditional ruler to bring the people together while giving the community a platform to celebrate its history and look towards the future.

For Ekwueme High Chief Paul Ozigbu, (Nnanyereugo of Abba)— Traditional Prime Minister of Ogwuaga Abba, the occasion was a moment of particular significance. Describing his attendance of the event as both a privilege and honour— he expressed delight at witnessing the second New Yam Festival under the traditional leadership of Eze Obinna Akwiwu. He recalled that the first festival yielded prosperity and said he was glad to be part of the second edition.

While the festival celebrated the harvest of the present season, attention was also drawn to the agricultural future of Ogwuaga Abba. Hon. Engr. Chief Bona Akwiwu (Agu Okorobia)— President General, Ogwuaga Abba Autonomous Community, spoke of plans to launch an international Iriji initiative aimed at reviving commercial yam production in the community. He said that by this time next year, Ogwuaga Abba would be producing its own commercial yams, a development he believes would help restore the community’s identity as a people known for yam production.

The proposed initiative adds an important dimension to the annual celebration, as the new yam moves beyond being a symbol of harvest and thanksgiving to becoming a potential vehicle for economic revival. For a community whose cultural history is closely tied to agriculture, the prospect of commercial yam production offers an opportunity to reconnect tradition with enterprise and create a legacy that extends beyond the festival itself.

According to High Chief Johnbosco Ozigbu, Ph.D (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga, Nwangele of Nwangele, Alaomajiji of Obowo), the successful second new yam festival is a bold statement and loud testimony that ndi Ogwuaga Abba across the five villages have come to align with their traditional ruler, supporting his visionary leadership of uniting ndi Ogwuaga Abba in an atmosphere of brotherly love and peace while developing the community through a people – tailored cultural initiatives.

To him: the festival is beyond eating of new yam and celebrating the new farming season, but a sustenance of cultural pride and celebration of the Igbo rich traditional heritage.

The celebration also attracted a strong representation of political and community leadership, including Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly; High Chief Duru Mike Ejiogu (Onowu Anara), candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Imo North Senatorial District, Chief Charles Ahize (Akpuruka N’ Orlu), Chief Dr. Alex Mbata, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Imo East Senatorial District, Hon. Chief Paul Chijioke Duru, Executive Chairman, Nwangele LGA; Prince Charles Amadi (Chavon), Barr. Chief Willie Amadi, High Chief Christognus Okoro (Agbara Ahuru gbuo okoko), Mr. Pascal Okechukwu (Cubana Chief Chief), Nze Dom Njoku (Apala), Chief Chinedu Ukadike (Traditional Prime Minister of Dim na Nume), Chief Barr. Mike Akandu, among others.

Applauding the organizers for a seamless and hitch- free colorful event, Nigerian Media Consultant and PR- Expert — Njoku Macdonald Obinna— commended the cross- fertilization of ideas of members of the 2026 Ogwuaga Abba Iriji Planning Committee under the workaholic chairmanship of Chief Sir Henry Ofoegbu, (Ugwumsinachi of Ogwuaga Abba), Chief Azubuike Akwiwu (Omenma of Abba), Financial Secretary|Treasurer, Chief Barr.Chike Stan Ofoma (Ochudo of Ogwuaga Abba), Chief Chinedu Alakwem, Chief Chuks Alakwem, Chief Martins Achonye, Chief Ugochukwu Ozigbu, among others.

For Eze Duru Oshimiri Ataa- Ataa Obinna Akwiwu, the festival represented another important moment in his stewardship of the traditional stool of Ogwuaga Abba. Coming as the second Iriji celebration since his coronation, the event provided another opportunity for the traditional institution to bring the people together while giving the community a platform to celebrate its history and look towards the future.

And as the final dances gave way to the quiet of another evening, what remained was more than the memory of a colourful festival. It was the image of a community that had gathered under its traditional institution, celebrated the fruits of the land and begun to look beyond the ceremony itself.

The yam was celebrated. The culture was displayed. The people came home. And Ogwuaga Abba, once again, had a story worth telling.

Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Media Consultant|Newspaper Columnist|Public Analyst|PR- Expert

Publisher,

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ABOUT THE PUBLISHER

Njoku Macdonald Obinna is a distinguished media consultant, public relations expert, and publisher of 4th Estate Reporters. With an impressive career spanning over 2 decades in the media and communications industry, he has built a solid reputation for excellence, strategic insight, and impactful storytelling.

Macdonald had served as a Correspondent with Ben TV London in Port Harcourt , and had also featured very prominently in national newspapers before establishing his media outfit.

He is the South East and South - South Business Operations Manager of Excel International Media group, and had attended a couple of international conferences outside Nigeria.

As an award- winning media personality, Macdonald has used his wealth of experience in communications strategy and public engagements to promote African culture and festivities, sports development, political leadership, and traditional institutions.

He has executed social documentaries and corporate profiling of both companies and individuals, leveraging media and public relations to enhance organizations profile and activities.

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