Igbos in Gombe celebrate new yam festival, confer titles on SSG, Chief of staff, others
Igbos resident in Gombe on Saturday, celebrated the 2021 new yam festival in grand style, where eminent sons and daughter from the state were honoured.
Speaking, during the occasion organised by Igbo Community Welfare Association, Gombe State Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau, described the New Yam Festival and award presented to Gombe people by the Igbo Community in Gombe as a step towards promoting peace.
Jatau said this would sustain the already existing peace, unity and harmony existing amongst the diverse ethnic tribes in the state.
According to him, Igbos should maintain and improve on the cultural activities in order to bring people together from all tribes and works of life towards sustainable socio-cultural development.
He said, “In this time of so many agitations the nation needs activities like this that will enhance the country’s unity.”
While commending the Igbos for being industrious and contributing immensely to economic development of the state and the nation, he called on other parts to emulate them for a better Nigeria.
“Let me appreciate the posture of integration and adaptation into every situation, which has been helping Igbos to live in every nook and cranny of the country. I wish to appeal that you extend your planned training for the Igbos and children to include everybody who is interested in learning the language and culture for harmonious co-existence ,” Jatau added.
Speaking earlier, Chairman, Albert Chukwunta, explained that the New Yam Festival in Igbo land is an annual event celebrated in the month of August, adding that they in Gombe have decided to celebrate in October.
He said, “Yam is respected as king of all crops while Kola is respected as king of cash crops by the Igbos, hence the due importance attached to these crops.”
He lauded the Governor Muhammadu Yahaya and the people of Gombe for the enabling environment.
Speaking separately, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter Community Affairs. Chidebelu Ewuzie and the President Igbo Community Welfare Association, Aronu Onyelekegha expressed delight over the New Yam Festival in Gombe State, adding that it is an event to appreciate God for harvest.
They further explained that the event is geared towards creating an opportunity to sustain and revive the already dying culture of the Igbos with a view to restoring it’s lost values.
Onyelekegha said, “We have applied for a piece of land to build our cultural centre where we will establish semi stadium, school to teach their children in Igbo and a place to use as venue for celebrating annual festivals. We hope the government will approve it.”
He called on other ethnic groups to follow suit in order to pass on their cultures to their children so that they don’t go extinct.
Meanwhile, The Secretary to Gombe State Government, Prof. Abubakar Njodi, Commissioner of Works Alh. Abubakar Bappa, Chief of Staff, Government House, Abubakar Kyari, Hon. Asmau Iganus, member representing Shongom East in the State House of Assembly, and Director of Protocol, Government House, Musa Habibu Bushasha were among those bestowed titles and honours.
