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A vibrant tapestry of royalty, culture, and community spirit unfolded on Tuesday in Isi-Ihitteowerri, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, as His Royal Highness, Eze (Amb.) Damian Emeka Obianigwe, KSM, Ezeoha 1, Obi of Isi-Ihitteowerri, hosted an elaborate 2026 new yam festival, drawing a distinguished assembly of traditional rulers and prominent personalities from across the state and beyond.
The colourful ceremony, presided over by Hon. Jerry Alagboso, former member of the House of Representatives, was a spectacle of pomp, pageantry, and cultural richness. Leading a formidable contingent of royal fathers was His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) E. C. Okeke, Eze Udo II of Amaifeke Ancient Kingdom, who is also the Eze Imo and Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The occasion also welcomed a broad spectrum of attendees, including political leaders, academics, business executives, community leaders, and representatives of Orluzurumee Worldwide, transforming the festival into a remarkable convergence of culture, leadership and fellowship.
Addressing his guests, the host, Eze Obianigwe, emphasized that the new yam festival signifies far more than simply partaking in the season’s first yam.
According to the monarch, “Iri ji is a celebration of life, a celebration of harvest, and, most importantly, a celebration of who we are as a people. When we gather to eat the new yam, we are giving thanks to God for the fruits of our labour and reaffirming our bond as a community.”
He expressed his profound joy at the presence of the numerous traditional rulers and distinguished guests, noting that their attendance had significantly enhanced the celebration’s vibrancy and significance.
Eze Obianigwe, who is also the acting Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Orlu Zone, and as chief executive officer of Fano Shipping Agencies Limited (Fano Group), further highlighted the crucial role of traditional rulers in safeguarding heritage and fostering community development.
“Our culture is our identity. If we lose our culture, we lose an essential part of ourselves. As traditional rulers, we must therefore preserve our traditions, promote peace among our people and leverage our positions to encourage development,” he stated.
Delivering the opening remarks, the Eze Imo and Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze (Dr.) E. C. Okeke, commended Eze Obianigwe for orchestrating the celebration and expressed his gratitude to the dignitaries for accepting the invitation.
Eze Okeke observed that the gathering underscored the enduring strength and relevance of the traditional institution in preserving Igbo cultural values.
“The new yam festival is not merely about the yam on the table. It is about gratitude, unity, identity and the preservation of our heritage. Our culture must remain a living heritage, passed down from one generation to another,” he declared.
He also lauded the distinguished personalities present on the high table and extended his appreciation to the traditional rulers and other guests who had journeyed from various parts of Imo State to show solidarity with the host.
The royal father also commended the governor of Imo State, acknowledging the administration’s commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy and promoting development within the state.
“We appreciate our governor’s efforts in ensuring that the dividends of democracy are felt across Imo State. We encourage the government to continue on this path and to sustain the development initiatives that will improve the lives of our people,” he added.
The chairman of the occasion, Hon. Jerry Alagboso, remarked that the festival vividly showcased the Igbo people’s enduring spirit and their deep commitment to safeguarding their cultural identity.
He commended Eze Obianigwe for orchestrating such a distinguished assembly.
“Today, we’re not just honouring yam; we’re celebrating our heritage, our unity, and our collective strength. Gatherings like this remind us that, despite our diverse backgrounds and statuses, our culture remains our common thread,” Alagboso stated.
He encouraged the community to continue leveraging traditional and communal structures as vital platforms for fostering peace, reconciliation, and progress.
“May our culture bind us together, not drive us apart. Let our traditional institutions continue to be sources of leadership, wisdom and guidance for our people,” he urged.
The chairman of Orlu local government area, Pastor Chris Mbarie, also lauded the celebration, characterizing it as a significant expression of community identity.
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He congratulated Eze Obianigwe for organizing what he described as a remarkably well-executed and vibrant cultural event.
“A people who understand their origins are better equipped for their future. Our traditions should not be viewed as hindrances to development. Instead, we should harness our culture and traditional institutions to fortify unity and cultivate an environment conducive to growth,” he explained.
He acknowledged the significant contributions of the monarchs and community leaders to peace and grassroots development.
The Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Owerri, Prof. Uchefula Ugonna Chukwumaeze, brought academic perspective to the celebration, emphasizing the critical role of cultural preservation in an increasingly interconnected world.
He articulated: “Culture serves as a potent educational instrument. Our youth need to grasp the values, traditions, and history that have shaped our society. By understanding their heritage, they can confidently engage with the modern world without sacrificing their identity.”
He congratulated Eze Obianigwe for using the festival to unite traditional rulers, academics, political figures and community members.
“Events like this forge an essential connection between our traditional institutions, our academic bodies, and the broader society,” he observed.
Orluzurumee Worldwide was represented by its secretary eneral, Dr. Desmond Echeta, Publicity Secretary, Mazi Nnamdi Cos-Ukwuoma, other national Exco .
members and its Orlu coordinator, Ichie Louis Chiegene. Their presence signaled Orluzurumee’s unwavering commitment to cultural preservation, unity, and the collective advancement of the Orlu people.
The organization’s message was clear: cultural celebrations like Iri ji offer invaluable opportunities for people to reconnect with their heritage and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood across the Orlu Zone.
The ceremony was further graced by the presence of the chairmen of the Councils of Traditional Rulers from Owerri and Okigwe Zones, alongside chairmen from various Local Government Areas.
Notable among them was the Chairman of Orlu Local Government Chapter of the Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Dr. Sampson Okwudinma, accompanied by numerous traditional rulers from autonomous communities throughout Orlu Zone.
The monarchs, adorned in their vibrant traditional regalia, transformed the venue into a breathtaking spectacle of Igbo royalty.
Their collective presence underscored the event’s significance as a gathering that extended beyond the confines of a single autonomous community.
The cultural climax arrived with the invitation extended to dignitaries and representatives to partake in the ceremonial cutting of the new yam. As the yam was ritually sliced, the atmosphere shifted from formal addresses to joyous celebration and camaraderie.
For the Igbo, the yam embodies hard work, sustenance, prosperity, and the fruits of a bountiful season. Its ceremonial cutting, therefore, carries a meaning far deeper than mere meal preparation.
It is an expression of profound gratitude for the harvest and a fervent prayer for continued abundance in the coming season.
The breaking of kolanut similarly reinforced cherished traditional values of hospitality, peace, brotherhood, and communal acceptance.
The 2026 Iri ji celebration in Isi-Ihitteowerri served as a potent reminder of the new yam festival’s enduring significance as a cornerstone of Igbo culture. It’s a tradition that beautifully weaves together the farmer and their bounty, families and their communities, the living and their ancestral roots, and the present generation with those who came before.
Yet, this year’s gathering transcended the harvest itself, showcasing culture’s remarkable ability to unite individuals from diverse political, professional, and social backgrounds. Traditional rulers, political figures, scholars, industry titans, and community leaders shared in the occasion, exchanging pleasantries and celebrating a common heritage.
As the festivities unfolded, a clear and powerful message emerged: a people who safeguard their culture are, in turn, safeguarding their very identity. For Eze Obianigwe, this celebration was far more than a mere palace event; it was a vibrant testament to the timeless values of gratitude, unity, generosity, hard work, and collective responsibility.
The ceremonial cutting, blessing, and sharing of the new yam among esteemed guests at Isi-Ihitteowerri underscored a vital truth: the ancient traditions of the Igbo people are not relics of the past but are vibrantly alive today. As one of the day’s resonant reflections put it: “When we celebrate our culture, we celebrate ourselves; when we preserve our traditions, we preserve the identity of generations yet unborn.”
Consequently, the 2026 new yam festival hosted by Eze Obianigwe, KSM, will be remembered as a spectacular confluence of royalty, cultural pride, leadership, and community spirit – an unforgettable exhibition of Igbo heritage.
