The Chairman, Board of Trustees Eziokwu bu Ndu Social and Cultural Society, Chief Dr. Smart O Nwokorie has charged the Igbos to redeem and retain long abandoned yam barns through the celebration of the new yam festival, as instituted by the forefathers as a way to curb food scarcity in the region.
Dr. Nwokorie made this charge during the Eziokwu Bu Ndu new yam festival cum community development twenty-five million fundraising for 50 farmers in his country home, Dim -na-Opara Ogbodikwu, Umuopara Umuahia South LGA Abia State Nigeria
Dr. Nwokorie decries that the Igbo nation which used to be described as culturally rooted, culturally busy, culturally alive, and culturally filled with exportable potentials is gradually losing her heritage, as issues of disunity and fiendishness associated with religio-political and social-cultural discord has taken over the once culturally seamless nation, which is seriously threatening to tear the fabric of unity and peace that tie the people together as one, stressing that the commitment to put a stop to this dangerous cankerworm that is eating up the unity of the nation motivated Eziokwu Bu Ndu social and cultural Society to hold the bull by the horn to revive, restore and reawaken the cultural heritage that distinguishes Igbo land.
He added that the New Yam Festival (Iri Ji), is one of the ancient Igbo cultures that celebrate cultural harvest and rebirth, he added that the time provides an opportunity for people to offer prayers and thanksgiving in appreciation for God’s blessing and protection throughout the farming season.
Dr. Nwokorie further described Eziokwu Bu Ndu Social and Cultural Society, as a God-centered and community-oriented society poised on helping government and traditional rulers in the development of the community as cultural and Community Development is a shared responsibility that requires everyone’s effort and commitment.
In his words” Eziokwu Bu Ndu Social and Cultural Society was founded in the year 2021 as a non-profit organization, registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), striving to Strengthen the gradually eroding Igbo Culture, Encourage Farmers in the rural development, promote commercial production of yam and other crops, provide incentives and other agro-inputs as well as provide financial assistance to farmers “
Earlier in his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Sir Ibegbulam Emelogu Obioma thanked the host Dr. Smart Nwokorie for the vision of restoring the dignity of Igbo land and pray God for more wisdom to actualize the vision.
He further charged the government and well-meaning Igbos to join hands not to allow the cultural heritage of the clan to die.
Our correspondent reports that the Speaker Abia House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chimedum Orji, the ADC governorship Candidate, Bishop Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, the Labor Party Candidate for Ikwuano Umuahia Federal Constituency, Sir Obi Aguocha, Member Representing Umuahia South State Constituency, Hon Jerry Uzosike, Traditional Rulers and other dignitaries were all present during the event.
