Kamsi Anayo, Awka
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has applauded Anambra state indigenes in University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) for promoting Igbo culture and tradition.
Achebe who is the Grand Patron, Anambra People’s Assembly (APA) in UNN, made the commendation in Nsukka on Wednesday during the first New Yam Festival organised by the indigenes.
The Obi of Onitsha said that, the new yam festival is an important event in Igboland because of the respect and honour the Igbo people have for yam.
“Yam is an important crop, cultivated in every part of Igboland, it serves as food that can be eaten in different ways.
“During the time of our forefathers, the wealth of a man was calculated and measured by the length of his yam barn and not like today that money has become everything.
“It’s believed that a man’s yam barn shows his strength, wisdom, ability and wealth to feed his family members and kinsmen,” he said.
Achebe who was represented by Prof. Ifeanyichukwu Abada, Head of Department, Political Science UNN, urged other Anambra indigenes in various higher institutions in the country to emulate APA in promoting Igbo culture and tradition.
“I commend Prof. Florence Orabueze led executive for their wisdom in organising the new yam festival as well as being good ambassadors of Anambra state and I urge the assembly to make it a yearly event.
“I am happy with the huge attendance of Anambra indigenes as well their friends from other states which shows that APA in UNN is doing very well,”he said.
Speaking, Prof. Orabueze, of the Department of English and Literary Studies UNN, and Founding President of APA said that the maiden new Yam festival was organised by members.
“APA membership is open to staff and students working in UNN from 13 local government areas of Anambra state, that constituted the old Onitsha Area provience.
“As we celebrate the new yam with our brothers, sisters, relations, friends and members of the university community, it is a good occasion to call to mind, the Igbo moral ethics and values of communalism, truthfulness, justice, peace and unity.
“Today’s event will give us another opportunity to promote Igbo culture, language, traditions and our identity as Anambra people working in UNN.
“It’s good to join men and women of goodwill to ensure that the university founded by our fathers continues to enjoy its enviable position in academics as well as in promoting our rich cultural heritage,” she said.
Orabueze who was the former Director, Institute of African Studies UNN, urged members of the assembly to always remember the motto of Anambra State (The Light of the Nation) wherever they found themselves.
“In whatever we do and say, we shall remember that we are noble and princely people from Anambra State.
“Therefore, we should ensure that we don’t allow the light in us to go out, or for darkness to assail and overwhelm us, but we must strive to be the light for other people to see ,” she said.
The president, expressed special appreciation to the Obi of Onitsha who is the Grand Patron of APA for his fatherly advice and support to the assembly .
The president also expressed gratitude to Chief Andrew Oru, a philanthropist and former Global President, University of Nigeria Alumni Association for his financial support for the event as well as all who come from far and near to grace the occasion.
Earlier, Prof. Chuu Ikwuemesi, from Department of Fine and Applied Arts UNN, who chaired the occasion said that, APA in organising the new yam festival had reaffirmed its believe, respect and love for Igbo cultures and traditions.
“What happened here today, is an eloquent testimony that Anambra people love and cherish Igbo cultures and traditions.
“New yam festival is an important celebration in Igboland because it showcases the rich cultural heritage of Igbos.,”he said.
Ikwuemesi commended Orabueze led executive for being the first to organise a new yam festival for Anambra indigenes in UNN and urged other Anambra groups in higher institutions across the country to emulate the good example.
Our correspondent reports that, Comr. David Okeke, President, Chairman Anambra Postgraduates Association in UNN respectively led hundreds of undergraduates and postgraduates students from the state to the festival
Their entry into the venue of the new yam festival, with Anambra traditional music and dance added colour and excitement to the event.
Highlight of the event was eating of roasted and porridge new yam by everybody present.