IGWE OGAGAGIDI OF EDEM-ANI OGWUGWU CELEBRATES HIS INAUGURAL NEW YAM FESTIVAL (IWA JI) IN GRAND STYLE

By Nkem Ossai

The Traditional Ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Kingdom, in Nsukka LGA, Enugu State, HRH Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu Jnr. (Igwe Ogagagidi) recently celebrated his first New Yam Festival.

The occasion which brought people from far and wide, including the traditional ruler of Ibagwa-Aka, HRH Igwe Hyacinth I. Eze, members of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nsukka Chapel, led by their Chairman, Comrade Ike Okenyi, HighChief of Akwebi Kingdom, Odenamuo Nkem Ossai, Rev. Fr. Uchenna Ajibo, Comrade Brendan Eze, Comrade Chris Ezema, and Ms Obioma Ogili were there to Grace the occasion.

Not to be left out is a university don, Prof. Nnanyelugo Okoro, Professor of Mass Communication UNN, who himself is a titled Chief and indigene of Edem-Ani. Also there for the grand occasion were people from Igala Kingdom, various other traditional rulers from Enugu State and beyond, distinguished politicians and men of God. There was enough to eat and drink for the multitude of persons. Various Traditional dancers and masquerades in different shades and colours were there to entertain the guests.

The highlight of the occasion was the traditional cutting and sharing of the roasted yams to guests to the admiration and ovation of guests.

Igwe ‘Ọgadagidi’ Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu is an extraordinary philanthropist, a great community leader and a God-fearing man. Through his endless philanthropy, Edem-Ani Ogwugwu is becoming a tourists’ destination.

Among other laudable heart-warming rural projects, Igwe Ikechukwu singlehandedly undertook a 20 bed hospital free for his people, the construction and ashphalting of Edem-Ani-Nsukka Road (an ongoing project) and a Community Free Feeding Centre entitled ‘Edemani Food Bank’. As far as I can remember, it is the first of it’s kind in Nsukka Region if not Enugu State. There are also several stories of indigent Edem-Ani children he sent abroad on a scholarship and to work.

At the Free Food Bank, we witnessed the community people walk in, eat and walk out on a regular basis. It would be recalled that prior to the New Yam Festival day, some members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nsukka paid him a courtesy visit, where they were treated to a sumptous meal at the food bank. A trip to Edem-Ani Ogwugwu will not be a bad experience.

Truly, Igwe Ọgadagidi loves his people and he is making great effort to alleviate poverty in his kingdom.