From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA) has applauded HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu (Igwe Ogadagidi) the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State for promoting Igbo culture and tradition through celebration new yam festival.
Dr. Linda Agua-Onyekwelu, the National President of UNAA made the commendation in Nsukka on Sunday while speaking during the Maiden New Yam (iri-ji) Festival celebration by Igwe Asadu.
She said that the calibre of personalities from all works of life present during the festival shows that the traditional ruler has a national and international outlook.
Agua-Onyekwelu said that the new yam festival has provided an opportunity to show the rich tradition and cultural heritage of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu community and Igbo culture in general.
“I’m impressed with the level of participation by the community, their friends, and well wishes who in their various traditional regalia, traditional dancing troops, and traditional wrestling display added colour and excitement to the event.
“I commend the traditional ruler who has used his 1st iri-ji outing to showcase and promote the rich Igbo cultural heritage.
“This event has provided an opportunity for many people to witness it live and have a feel of what new yam festival is all about, and it will go a long way to make them understand that Igbo have a rich culture and tradition,” she said.
The UNAA National President while commending the people of the community for their various cultural displays during the festival urged Igbo leaders to make it mandatory that every community in Igbo land must have a day for new yam celebration as a way of sustaining and preserving Igbo culture and tradition.
Also speaking, Dr. Christy Obi-Keguna, UNAA President, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Chapter said that the association is celebrating with Igwe Asadu on his New Yam festival because he is the patron of the group and also one who has been using his position to promote Igbo culture and better the society.
“Igwe Ogadagidi has impacted positively on both individuals and groups, he has used what God has given to him to help society with any discrimination of who you are, or where you are coming from.
“We are here to pay our homage to him as our patron as he celebrates the new yam festival as the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu community,” he said.
Dr. Chidi Ugwu, President of UNN Senior Staff Club who accompanied UNAA members to the event said that Igwe Asadu has through the festival demonstrated his love for Igbo tradition and culture, stressing that it help to keep Igbo tradition alive as well as teach his subjects and others the importance of culture and tradition.
He noted that the need to take the issue of culture seriously was because the culture and tradition of a people were their major identity, and a loss of it would amount to loss of identity, adding that every right-thinking man should be able to give support to ensure its sustenance.
“Unfortunately, some people do not know their culture which is their identity, it is only when you know your culture that you can identify your origin,” he said.