The traditional ruler of Umunakara autonomous community in Nwangele Local Government Area has encouraged the people of the area to let the annual new yam festival to be a platform for fostering new relationships, strengthening bonds of friendship and solidarity among the people.
Eze Ejiogu stated this in an interview with newsmen on the occasion of the 2025 annual Umunakara iri-ji cultural festival held last Sunday, October 26, pointing out that the festival showcases the rich cultural heritage of the community as well as promotes tourism and boosting their local economy as a people.
He appreciated the people of Umunakara for their sagacity and commitment to preserving their cultural legacy and boundless dedication to the progress and prosperity of the great Umunakara pointing out that the festival remains a proud symbol of their cultural heritage, unity and gratitude to God for a fruitful harvest.
The royal father noted that iri-ji is not just a celebration of harvest, but a reminder of who the people of Umunakara are, stressing that they are a people richly blessed with culture, wisdom and resilience and extolled them for being hardworking, hospitable and people with unbreakable spirit.
He commended the farmers whom he identified as extraordinary for their toil and hard work and wished them bumper harvest and also lauded the organizing committee for their relentless efforts in upholding the dignity of Umunakara people.
Performing the “Iwa ji’ on the occasion, Eze Ejiogu thanked God for the life He gave to the people of Umunakara and assured them that it will be well with all who ate the yam, their land would bless them and wished them long life, prosperity, fruitfulness and abundant blessings.
He also emphasized the need for people to embrace farming as an alternative to oil and white collar jobs for food sufficiency and financial Independence and appealed to government to provide conducive atmosphere and enabling environment for youths to go into agriculture through mechanized farming.
