Abia Transport Commissioner Celebrates New Yam Festival With His Kinsmen of Amuzukwu Community

Ukaegbu says Iri-Ji symbolises thanksgiving, hard work, unity — not idol worship

UMUAHIA — The Abia State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, on Monday, September 14, 2026, joined his kinsmen in Amuzukwu Ancient Kingdom, Umuahia North LGA, to celebrate this year’s New Yam Festival, Iri-Ji.

The festival, which coincided with the community’s Orie market day, drew age grades, branches of the Amuzukwu Town Union, women groups and youths, who presented yams, kola nuts and drinks to the traditional stool in thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.

Speaking at the celebration, Dr. Ukaegbu said the New Yam Festival remains a significant cultural heritage that symbolises gratitude to God, dignity of labour, and communal unity.

He noted that the festival, handed down by the forebears of Amuzukwu, is not an act of idol worship, but a point of contact to thank God, the giver of life and increase, for preserving the people and blessing the work of their hands.

“Iri-Ji reminds us that yam is the king of crops and farming is the foundation of our livelihood. It teaches us hard work, patience and thanksgiving. As a people, we must preserve this healthy culture that has no fetish attachment or human sacrifice,” Ukaegbu said.

Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu with Prince Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Information

The Commissioner admonished the youths to see yam as a symbol of legitimate endeavour, urging them to be productive and contribute to the development of Amuzukwu.

Dr. Ukaegbu further called on the community to use the occasion of the New Yam Festival to foster peace, love and unity, and to shun violence and rancour which, he warned, undermine the peace-building efforts of the Governor Alex Otti administration.

He commended the traditional institution and the town union for sanitizing the festival and ensuring a peaceful celebration devoid of the youth restiveness that once characterized such events in Ibeku land.

The celebration featured cultural displays, solidarity visits by friends and associates of the Commissioner, including members of the Abia State Executive Council and communal feasting on the new yam.

The community offered prayers for a more bountiful harvest next year and for peace and progress in Abia State.