Nnobi Community Celebrates Inaugural Ashaolu Festival in Anambra State

The rich tapestry of Igbo cultural heritage was on full display as the Ifite Ogbeadiji community in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, held its inaugural Ashaolu Nnobi 2024 festival.

The Ashaolu festival is a time-honored New Yam festival (Iwa-Ji), emphasizing agricultural innovation and enhanced food production as its primary objectives. This year’s festivities took place at the Ifite Ogbeadiji village square and marked a historic moment as the first celebration of its kind in the area. The event was generously funded by esteemed community leader, High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu, also known as Ikemba Nnobi.

In the opening ritual, Ichie Ezechikwadolu, Chief Linus Umeh, expressed his joy in celebrating Ashaolu Nnobi 2024. He prayed for blessings upon the Ifite Ogbeadiji village, both at home and abroad, while envisioning a more prosperous agricultural yield for the coming year. “Every profession has its value,” he stated, emphasizing that various fields, from agriculture to civil service, hold equal importance.

The traditional ruler of Nnobi Kingdom, HRM Engr. Nick Muodum, spoke of gratitude and cultural continuity, noting that the Ashaolu and Iwa-Ji festivals are not to be mistaken for idol worship. Rather, they serve to honor the relentless efforts of ancestors who established yam as a staple crop in Igboland. His blessings were also directed toward High Chief Ezeonu, commending his dedication to community development.

High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu shared his motivation for sponsoring the festival, aiming to promote Igbo cultural heritage and the Ifite Ogbeadiji community as a whole. He underscored the importance of the Ashaolu festival as a call to embrace culture and agriculture, declaring, “The celebration of New Yam should be a communal affair across the five Igbo-speaking states.” Ezeonu proposed that a synchronized regional Iri-ji festival could attract global tourism and spotlight Igboland’s rich cultural offerings.

Comrade Stanley Izuegbunamu, Chairman of Ifite Ogbeadiji, praised Ezeonu’s generosity, which spared the community from financial strain for the festival. He highlighted the transformative efforts of Ezeonu, including infrastructure improvements such as new roofing for the village hall and road construction. Chief Frank Iyke Ezeanya reinforced the community’s commitment to its cultural roots and celebrated the New Yam festival as a thanksgiving for a successful harvest.

Others, including Mr. Mmadunagu Chimezie and Chief Dr. Ike Edwin, lauded High Chief Ezeonu for his ongoing contributions to community development.

The event showcased vibrant cultural expressions, with six kindreds of Ifite Ogbeadiji—Umuezeobi, Umuezeneke, Umuezeanya, Umuezenwaka, Umuodogu, and Odukwe—dressed in colorful traditional attire. Activities included lively dance troupes, masquerade performances, and a competition for the best yam producer, which was won by Mr. Chukwudi Ogbuefi, receiving a reward of ₦100,000.

Awards were presented to several distinguished individuals, including High Chief Obinna Ufudo, prominent members of the Ifite Ogbeadiji diaspora, High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu, Prophet Ifeanyi Marcel Oguegbulu, and Sir Rufus A. C. Onwuatudo. Dr. Mrs. Thelma Ezeonu was represented by community women leader, Lady Ifeyinwa Nnekwelugo.

Dignitaries at the event included Mrs. Amaka Obi, the Transition Council Chairman of Idemili South LGA; Barrister Dominic Okpala, President General of Nnobi; High Chief Ikechukwu Azugo (Okenwa Nnobi); High Chief Sunday Ezeoke (Ikenga Nnobi); Nze Nwachukwu Uzuagu; Ichie Ojiukwu Nnobi; and Ichie Ezechikwadolu, among others.