It was a carnival-like atmosphere, August 24, at the palace of His Royal Highness, Igwe Maxi Ike Oliobi (Ezeoranyelu and Owelle), the Traditional Ruler of Nimo in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State, August 24, when the town celebrated its New Yam Festival. It was an event that was graced by the high and mighty of the town, as well as friends of the town from outside.
It started with a Holy Mass at the Owelle’s palace presided over by the Parish Priest of St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, Ifite-Ani Nimo, Rev. Fr. Alfred Anazodo.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Mac Ben Okeke of St. Kevin’s Parish, Etiti Nimo, thanked God for giving the town another opportunity to celebrate with kith and kin, the gift of new yam and for life. He prayed for peace in Nimo and Nigeria in general.
In his closing remarks, Rev. Fr. Obinna Dike thanked all present at the Mass, as well as Traditional Rulers; Chiefs and Ichies; Agbalanzes; Nze na Ozos; Otu Iyom Society; Age Grades and others. He particularly thanked St. Vincent’s Choir for what he hailed as their wonderful performance.
In his own remarks, HRH, Igwe Maxi Ike Oliobi, Owelle Nimo, thanked the people for their unalloyed support and prayed for journey mercies for those who made out time to come and celebrate the new yam with the People of Nimo.
He also thanked the clergy working in Nimo, viz: Very Rev Fr Alfred Anazodo of St Vincent’s Catholic Church, Ifite-Ani Nimo; Rev. Fr. Mac Ben Okeke of St Kevin’s Parish, Etiti Nimo; Rev Fr. Obinna Dike, resident priest at St Vincent’s Parish, Nimo; Rev Muolokwu of St Paul’s Anglican Church, Nimo; Rev Cannon Ubaekwena of St Barnabas Anglican church, Ifite-Ani Nimo, and others. He also thanked HRH, Igwe Ezenebo of Akwaeze, who also joined in the Mass.
The Holy Mass ended with the blessing of roast yams by Fr Alfred Anazodo; dancing to Ufie music by the clergy, Owelle Nimo, the Cabinet Chiefs and Ichies, to the Joy and admiration of the cheering crowd.
The celebration proper started at 12 noon with a procession led by Owelle Nimo, Chiefs and Ichies; Agbalanze Nimo; Iyom Society, etc. It was a highly organized event as the four quarters of Nimo in their canopies cheered the Owelle and his cabinet as they went round greeting the people.
Highlights of the epochal included the blessing and breaking of kola nuts; blessing and cutting of the roast yams; competition by the farmers who brought their harvested yams to the palace, prize giving to some chosen farmers, entertainment and paying of homage by the four quarters of Nimo, NTDU branches; Age Grades, friends and well-wishers.
Present at the occasion were monarchs: HRH, Igwe A.C. Oragwam (Ezeoranyelu 3 of Obeledu); HRH, Igwe Godwin Nwabunwanne Odiegwu (Eze Ikendim Abacheleku 3, Igwe Abacha); HRH, Igwe Dr. Joel Egwuonwu (Igwe Umuawulu); HRH, Igwe Barr Dr Emeka Onuorah (Igwe Chinyeleze 2 of Oraukwu Kingdom); Hon. George Ibezimako Ozodinobi (Nimo Zulukwu nke mbu na mbu), member representing Njikoka, Dunukofia and Anaocha in the Federal House of Representatives; Hon Jude Akpua, (Omekannia Abba), member representing Njikoka 2 Constituency in the State House of Assembly; Hon. Barr Chinedu Ononiba (Isimili), TC Chairman, Njikoka LGA, and many others.