By Chikodi Chukwuleta
The Traditional Prime Minister of Abagana Community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Regency, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze has described New Yam festival as one of the cardinal ways of promoting the rich Igbo cultural heritage.
Dr Anakwenze who is the founder of World Igbo Assembly (IWA) spoke on the occasion of the 2025 New Yam Celebration at his Umudunu, Abagana, country home, on Wednesday August 19, 2025 called for sustenance of the age long tradition that has kept the Igbo identity
He added that the Yam as the king of all crops is celebrated by Ndi Igbo because of its speciality among all crops,
The Regent noted that the festival had distinguished Ndigbo as people that cherish their heritage.
“We have one of the richest cultures in the world, with culture you give yourself dignity, you give yourself respect and you know yourself”
He expressed gratitude to God for keeping the people alive to celebrate this year’s festival, he reminded the people of the need for a sustained cultivation of the crop for their economic sustainability.
According to him, the new Yam festival had been in existence for ages and serves as a moment of thanksgiving to God.
” Yam is the king of crops. We are using it to thank God for helping us grow the food that we will eat for the next year. The same crop helps us to pay school fees, medical bills and we have food at home.
“So, we are just thanking God, this is like a Godly event, thanking God for what He has done for us”
Anakwenze asked Ndigbo to give more attention to productive economy and agriculture as done by their forefathers.
He, enumerated efforts being made to accelerate development of the community to include rehabilitation of hospitals and construction of Computer Hubs in different parts of the community.
Dr Anakwenze, who is the CEO of Global Care Medical Group further explained that with the support of Abagana natives in diaspora, interventionist measures would also be undertaken in the areas of security, nutrition and welfare programs.
” We want to get the lives of our people better by giving them good living. We want to improve their standard of living. Leadership is about protecting lives and property and giving them good living.
“We have serious agenda program to improve our local hospitals, education sector, computer hubs, security and good nutrition. Abagana people in diaspora have contributed a lot of money for these developmental projects”
The Regent recalled that also his Foundation had over the years empowerment youths, widows and the less privileged in various fields of endeavour to be productive and less dependent.
The event which had in attendance dignitaries from the community and beyond, featured cutting of the new Yam by the Regent, cultural dance, masquerade displays and empowerment of 20 widows,
