Egbudu Akah Community Celebrates 2025 New Yam Festival, Calls for Peace and Unity
The people of Egbudu Akah in Aniocha South Local Government Area have celebrated their 2025 New Yam Festival with a renewed call on indigenes to embrace peace and unity.
The colorful ceremony, which held on Monday, 29th September, at the residence of Diokpa Moses Kelikuma, drew together chiefs from the various quarters of Egbudu Akah, alongside friends and well-wishers from far and near.
Speaking during the festival, Chief Moses Kelikuma described the New Yam Festival as a period of thanksgiving to God and prayers for long life. He added that it serves as an opportunity to awaken the cultural heritage of the people, stressing that it is also a time for reunion, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence.
Chairman of the festival, Comrade Henry Ojieh, commended the Egbudu Akah community for sustaining the age-long tradition. He, however, urged government at all levels to urgently address insecurity, particularly the recurring clashes between herders and farmers, which he said had negatively affected annual farm yields. He further called on national leaders to prioritize the peace and well-being of citizens above personal interests.
On his part, Chief Anthony Egbune explained that yam is a highly revered crop in Igbo culture and some other parts of Nigeria, adding that it must not be consumed until the annual New Yam Festival rituals are performed. He noted that Egbudu Akah people hold the tradition in high esteem, celebrating it yearly with pomp and pageantry.
Chief Egbune also appealed to the Delta State Government to address the poor access road leading to the community. He urged the people of Egbudu Akah to remain united as one family in order to achieve accelerated development.
In his remarks, Chairman of the festival planning committee, Chief Moses Nwaonye, expressed gratitude to God for the success of this year’s celebration and prayed for greater festival next year. He commended the community leaders and appreciated the contributions of indigenes that made the event successful.
Highlights of the celebration included the symbolic eating of the new yam and cultural dances, which continued even in the midst of heavy rainfals
