Community Leader Makes Case for Collective Celebration of New Yam Festivals by Town Unions

By Olisemeka Obeche

Igbos residence in cities and towns across Nigeria and in diaspora have been urged to consider making new yam festival as flagship occasion for strengthening bonds of kinship unity, peace and progress.

The chairman of Umuoba Anam Development Council, UADC, Awka Branch, Engr. Samuel Udefi gave the advice while speaking with newsmen during the 2025 Otite Anam celebration hosted by the town union for indigenes resident in Anambra State capital, Awka.

Udefi, who described Otite Anam (New Yam) festival as one of the most significant events in Igboland, especially Anam, said that being a thanksgiving feast, it is supposed to be celebrated together at town union level everywhere.

“Even though we all celebrated Otite Anam on August 17 that was set aside for it, we decided to also celebrate it together on the day of our monthly meeting because we know that it will bring our people together to share that special moment of thanksgiving and gratitude to God for sustaining us through the hard times until this harvest period.

“As you can see, many people, including those who had not been regular at our meetings and other events, showed up because they don’t want to miss out on this special occasion.

“I’m using this opportunity to appeal to other town union or community based groups to see this annual festival as a special occasion that they can use to reach out to their members and bring everybody together for large feasting. It’s different from end of the year celebration.

“I’m also urging Ndi Anam to always make out time to come back home for Oote Anam celebration since it’s the only revered Thanksgiving celebration of our people. Other neighboring communities are doing theirs and we see how rich it’s used to be because of the turn out of their children living in different places”, he stressed.

Earlier in his welcome address, Udefi had thanked members for not only supporting the occasion with donations but also turning up to be part of it.

“We are grateful for your generous donation towards this occasion but also the massive turnout of our people.”, he said, while also praising executive officers of the council for their team work and steadfastness.

The chief host of the event, elder Benjamin Ndive, had earlier performed special kola nuts and wine libation prayers, for peace, unity and prosperity of members.

Among the prominent individuals who participated in the exercise includes former Executive Chairman of Anambra East LGA, Chief Fidel Okafor, former secretary to Anambra State Local Government Service Commission and former Treasurer, Anambra West LGA, Barr. Stan Nwattah, Chairman of APGA, Anambra East High Chief Joseph Emeka Ekwealor, Chief Joseph Onyeka Anikpeh, Hon. Emma Okeke, Hon. Chikeluo Anizor, Former PDP House of Assembly Candidate for Anambra East Constituency, among others