Nguru Nweorie Monarch, Eze Onujiogu, Felicitates with Ezigaragu Indigenes on new yam Festival Celebration
By Chidinma Ameachi
The traditional ruler of Nguru Nweorie Autonomous Community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, His Royal Highness Eze Chukwuma Onujiogu (Enyioha Mbaise), has extended heartfelt congratulations to the people of Ezigaragu Autonomous Community, Enyiogugu, on the successful celebration of their 2025 Iri-Ji (New Yam) Festival.
Speaking to journalists at the festival, which was held at the palace of the Ezigaragu monarch, HRH Eze Dr. Justin Chukwuma Nwaneri, PhD, KSM, JP, FIICA (Eziagu III of Ezigaragu), Eze Onujiogu described his counterpart as a "God-sent leader" to his people.
He praised Eze Nwaneri as an intelligent, youthful, and visionary monarch whose reign has fostered peace, unity, and consistent development in Ezigaragu. He encouraged the youths of the community to remain connected to their cultural roots by preserving and celebrating the yam festival, a heritage passed down from their ancestors.
Eze Onujiogu also called on the people of Ezigaragu to give their unwavering support to their traditional ruler, describing him as a symbol of hope and progress for the community.
In his own remarks, Eze Dr. Nwaneri highlighted the cultural and economic importance of yam, describing it as a "life-saver, economic sustainer, family provider, spiritual crop, and a symbol of wealth." He emphasized that every wealthy individual should own a barn of yams, adding:
“There is a type of yam you plant, and it becomes a form of security. Every wealthy man must have a yam barn.”
The monarch clarified that the festival, which began with a Thanksgiving Mass, is not fetish, stressing his role as a devout Christian.
“I am a Knight of the Catholic Church and the Deputy Grand Knight representing traditional rulers in the Pastoral Council. If it were fetish, I wouldn’t participate, let alone eat the yam.”
He lamented the gradual erosion of Igbo culture due to religious influence and urged Mbaise people, and Ndigbo in general, to return to their cultural roots and revive their traditional heritage.
“Religion has been used to wash away our culture. Mbaise used to be the heartbeat of Igbo culture, with numerous dances and festivals. We must reclaim our identity and pass it on to the next generation.”
Also speaking at the event, Chief Cornelius Ibole (Ohanyere ndi Olaelem), a respected son of Olaelem Enyiogugu, said the people carefully and deliberately chose Eze Nwaneri to lead them, noting that anyone worthy of kingship must be of unquestionable integrity.
In their separate remarks, Mrs. Akuchinyere Leo Nze of Umugaragu Enyiogugu and Mrs. Juliana Opara, the Woman Leader of Ezigaragu, described Eze Nwaneri as a vibrant and dynamic monarch with exceptional leadership qualities. They called on the community to rally behind him in unity and support.
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that the people of Ezigaragu recently turned out in large numbers to celebrate their annual New Yam Festival with great joy, fanfare, and cultural display, showcasing the rich traditions of the Mbaise people.
