Anambra Community Leader Makes Case Urges Diaspora Town Unions To Celebrate New Yam Festival
Igbo people resident in cities across Nigeria and in diaspora have been advised to consider making the new yam festival a flagship occasion for strengthening bonds of kinship unity, peace and progress.
Mr Samuel Udefi, Chairman of Umuoba Anam Development Council (UADC), Awka Branch made the call while speaking at the 2025 Otite Anam celebration organised by the town union for indigenes resident in Awka.
Udefi, who described Otite Anam (New Yam) festival as one of the most significant events in Igboland said that being a thanksgiving feast, it was supposed to be celebrated together at town union level everywhere.
“Even though we all celebrated Otite Anam on Aug. 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.
“This will make us 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 did not want to miss out on this special occasion.
“I am 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 them together for a large feast.
“It is different from the end of the year celebration.
“I am also urging Anam to always make time to come back home for Otite Anam celebration since it is the only thanksgiving celebration of our people.
“Other neighboring communities are doing theirs and we see how rich it used to be because of the turn out of their children living in different places”, he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Udefi thanked members for not only supporting the occasion with donations but also turning up to be part of it.
He commended executive officers of the council for their team work and steadfastness.
“We are grateful for your generous donation towards this occasion but also the massive turnout of our people.”, he said,
The Chief Host of the event, elder Benjamin Ndive 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, Mr Stan Nwattah.
Other were Chairman of APGA, Anambra East Chief Joseph Emeka Ekwealor, Chief Joseph Anikpeh, Mr Emma Okeke, Mr Chikeluo Anizor, Former PDP House of Assembly Candidate for Anambra
East Constituency, among others
