By Peter Okutu

ABAKALIKI-THE phenomenal new yam festival often observed especially in Igbo land and other tribes in the country took place in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area, the hometown of Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State in grand style.

•Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State feeding his wife, Rachael Umahi with the new yam during the new yam festival in Uburu, hometown of the governor.

The festival generally referred to as Iri ji that is “eating of yam” is meant to herald the arrival of new yams, suggestive of prosperity, bountifulness and blessing to the people of the land, thereby, necessitating the aim of the new yam festival.

Uburu also known as Adu Kingdom last weekend celebrated this age long festival with pomp and pageantry with its son and Governor of Ebonyi State who holds the highest traditional title of the Adu I of Adu in Uburu Kingdom.

He was equally joined by many dignitaries from all walks of life including the kings of Adu Kingdom.

The kings of Adu Kingdom namely: HRH (Dr.) Laz Umahi, Eze Adu III; HRH Eze Godwin Akpandu, Eze Ibom II and HRH Eze Umezurike took turns to bless the land of Uburu and their son, Governor David Nweze Umahi.

The kings and the cream de la cream who graced the occasion also used the opportunity to endorse the Governor as their sole candidate in the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state. They maintained that Governor Umahi was one of the best things to have happened to Uburu, Ebonyi State and the nation at large as he has been able to set an indelible record in the area of infrastructure, human capital development and socio-political sphere of the state.

Responding, the Governor who was overwhelmed by the large turnout of Uburu people, thanked them for ensuring that the customs and traditions of the people remained in existence, despite the role of modernity in the society.

He pledged to always support the community in achieving its set objectives in every way possible, adding that his mission in Ebonyi was divine as he remains unshaken by the gathering of those he describes as noisemakers who do not understand what divine mission and development meant.

Highlight of this year’s event witnessed the Governor feeding his wife, Rachel Umahi to the admiration of all and sundry even as the Deputy Governor’s wife, Mrs. Kelechi Igwe was seen applauding the show of love.