The Igbo community in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has been urged to reclaim the agricultural foundation of the New Yam Festival by securing land for yam cultivation and other crops.
The call was made by Chief George Njoku during the community’s annual New Yam (IriJi) Festival held at Joddag Hotel, Eket, where he stressed that preserving the festival also required sustaining the farming culture from which it originated.
Njoku explained that yam historically occupied a central place in Igbo society, with the quantity stored in a farmer’s barn once serving as a major measure of wealth. He said communities traditionally waited until the New Yam Festival and thanksgiving before consuming the new harvest.
He described yam as the “king of crops” because of its economic and cultural significance, noting that the festival represented more than eating newly harvested yam but marked the successful conclusion of a farming season and the beginning of a new harvest cycle.
President General of the Igbo Community in Eket, Sir High Chief Innocent Ezeoma Igwe, said the celebration was primarily an opportunity to thank God for a successful harvest and preservation of lives. He added that the occasion also provided an opportunity to honour individuals whose philanthropy and contributions had positively affected society.
Igwe urged members to remain united and hopeful despite challenges, while the celebration featured cultural activities and recognition of distinguished sons and daughters of Igbo land and friends of the community, with dignitaries including Dr Eunice Thomas, APC candidate for Eket Federal Constituency, community leaders, business people and security personnel in attendance.
