Eze-Elect Ajoku Urges Unity as Okam/Ikea Community Celebrates 2025 Iri-Ji Festival
By Chidinma Amaechi
In a vibrant display of culture and tradition, the Okam/Ikea Community in Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, recently celebrated the 2025 Iri-Ji (New Yam) Festival. The colorful event took place at Okoma’s Compound, Umuikea Nekede, and was chaired by an illustrious son of Umuguma, Commodore Ogechi Osuagwu (Rtd.).
The festival, deeply rooted in Igbo heritage, was hosted by Prof. Hon. Ken A. Mezieobi, JP, Chairman of the Okam/Ikea Forum, with Sir Elder Anthony Ahamefula Ajoku (Tacco), the Eze-Elect of Okam/Ikea Community, serving as the Chief Host.
In his address, Eze-Elect Ajoku emphasized that the annual festival is not only a celebration of agricultural success but also a means of promoting unity, cultural preservation, and community development. He noted that yam, regarded as the "king of crops," holds a revered place in Igbo cosmology, which is why its harvest is marked with such elaborate festivities.
“The Iri-Ji Festival is a symbol of gratitude to God for the gift of life, strength to farm, and the bountiful harvest we enjoy,” Elder Ajoku stated. “It brings our people together, strengthens social bonds, and creates an atmosphere of peace and joy.”
As he performed the "Igbuwaji" (the ceremonial cutting of the yam), the Eze-Elect offered prayers for long life, prosperity, fruitfulness, and success for all indigenes. He also called on the people of Okam/Ikea to uphold their cultural values, pass them down to the younger generation, and resist the forces that seek to erode their identity.
Welcoming guests, Prof. Chief Ken A. Mezieobi, a Jerusalem Pilgrim and Knight of St. Christopher (KSC), highlighted that the New Yam Festival is a sacred tradition inherited from their forebears. It is celebrated in reverence to God for His blessings and the success of the farming season, which sustains human life and well-being.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Commodore Osuagwu, acknowledged the significance of the festival across Igbo land. He reiterated the importance of unity, especially in the pursuit of autonomy for the Okam/Ikea Community. “Autonomy brings growth and recognition. But to achieve it, you must be united. Shun all forms of division—only with unity can progress come,” he advised.
The event featured rich cultural displays, traditional dances, and the symbolic eating of the new yam, first by the Eze-Elect and followed by members of the community and guests.
Among the dignitaries present were former NDDC Boss, Chief Kevin Uwakwe, alongside other notable personalities who came to honor the tradition and show solidarity with the community.
The 2025 Iri-Ji Festival in Okam/Ikea was a resounding success, reflecting not only the community's deep cultural roots but also their collective aspirations for growth, unity, and identity.
