The Iriji Igbo, Igbo New Yam Festival, is an annual cultural festivity by the Igbo nation usually held at the end of the rainy season which symbolises the conclusion of a harvest and the beginning of the next cycle. Of all the Igbo cherished foods, yam has remained the king of all foods, thus, it is given a global status as the most widely celebrated crop among the Igbos.

Last weekend, Okigwe zone in Imo North Senatorial District was practically shutdown as the proactive, respected, and flamboyant traditional ruler of Isiama Autonomous Community, Isiala Mbano Local Government, Imo State, His Royal Highness, Eze Oliver C. Ohanweh, alongside his cabinet members and entire ancient kingdom hosted the 2024 Iriji cultural festival in grand style at the Wisdom Palace, Umuihim, Isiama.

The event had in attendance dignitaries from the traditional institution, the clergy, political leadership, members of the ivory tower, captains of industry, community leaders, ndi Nze na Ozor title holders, and sons and daughters of Isiala Mbano from the Diaspora as they suspended other activities to celebrate this year’s iriji cultural fiesta with the traditional ruler and his wife, Ugoeze Ruth Chilaka Ohanweh.

Contrary to what people had expected to hear from a typical Igbo traditional ruler with soothing words and encomiums, especially when top government functionaries are present, Eze Ohanweh in a twist of event toed a different pat, as he lampooned federal government and her officials at all levels for the deplorable state of the nation.

The outspoken traditional ruler, and a man of style, Obi Gburugburu of Isiama Ancient Kingdom, Eze Ohanweh, took a swipe at the Federal Government, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and elected legislators, blaming them for the excruciating hardships most Nigerians are passing. He however, did not even spare the clergy as he accused them of docility in the midst of the corrupt and compromised system engineered by the politicians.

Obviously aggrieved by the growing rate of poverty amid the abundant natural resources God has blessed the country with, Obi Gburugburu of Isiama maintained that it is quite delusional for anyone to pretend that all is well in Nigeria when people can hardly feed themselves and families while young graduates keep roaming the streets aimlessly like sheep without shepherds.
Eze Ohanweh said: “It is unacceptable for Nigerians to be buying fuel, a natural gift from God, above N100 per litre, just like other mineral resources; diesel and gas, freely given to us. Any legislation or government policy that hikes Petrolum price above N100 per litre is man-made and fraudulent.”

He, however, strongly advised the federal government not to be tied to the apron strings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), which, according to him, are anti- Nigerian people and her sovereignty in their operations and foreign diplomacy through Western politics. To him, it is an anathema for the federal government to accept hook, line and sinker, a number of the foreign induced economic policies midwived by the duo at the expense of the Nigerian masses.

Ohanweh, who also serves as Chairman of Okigwe Elders Global Forum, regretted that at 64 years of our nationhood, one of our visible achievements as a country is that the rich keep getting richer , while the poor continue to wallow in penury. He therefore, contended that Nigeria’s huge debt profile is artificially created and perpetuated by a few privileged few for their selfish interests, pointing out that the way out of this unpatriotic mindset is to embrace the philosophy of always putting the interest of Nigeria first above self as postulated by the late American President, John F. Kennedy.

Eze Ohanweh called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant Mazi Nnamdi Kalu leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) presidential pardon and release him in the interest of peace, security, and socio-economic development of the South East, while advocating for the creation of additional state in the region for the sake of equity, fairness, and justice.

Commending the traditional ruler for the well organised and attended 2024 Isiama Iriji festival, Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma who was represented by Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmos Iwu, saluted the monarch for leading his community in peace, unity, and love, assuring him of the support of the state government and her people.

Recognizing the significance of culture as a defining element in community development, Imo Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Chief Cosmos Maduka (Odoebube Isu), emphasised the need of promoting Igbo rich cultural heritage and transcending the orientation to the younger generation for posterity.

Maduba stressed the strategic role of agriculture in cultural festivities, especially, yam cultivation, since yam remains the king of all crops in Igbo cosmology; maintaining that it complements the state government efforts and initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and food security.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the new yam as Eze Ohanweh declared it edible for all sons and daughters of Isiama, Isiala Mbano local government area both at home, and in the Diaspora.

Present at the colorful new yam festival was Senator Patrick Ndubueze representing Imo North Senatorial District as he was honoured with the distinquished community services award of excellence by the traditional ruler.
A number of Okigwe prominent sons and daughters alongside other dignitaries that received various degrees of award of excellence include: Princess Miriam Onuoha, representing Okigwe North Federal Constituency, High Chief Charles Ahize (Akporoka n’ Orlu), Chief Sam Ikechukwu Osuji, member representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency, Dr. Mayrose Chinyere Nwachukwu, Kennedy Ibeh, Johpaul Ochemba, Engr. Henry Alaefule, Barr. Emeka Mgbudem, Sir Henry Nwaugo Lawrence, Dr. Ethelbert Onuoha, Chief Eze Okoro, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoroigwe, Amb. Abazie Ifeanyi Kingsley, Engr. Grant Offor and Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, Nze Tex Ukonu .

The 2024 Iriji Cultural Fiesta of Isiama Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano Council, Imo State, chaired by a former INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, had as members of the planning committee; Chief Everest Everest Ndudi Ezihe , Mr. Bright Nwachukwu, Mr. Kennedy Eweama, Amb. Prince Chidi Ohanweh and Mr. Emeka Iwueze.