Man Bags N.5m for harvesting heaviest yam in Anambra community

HISTORIC WIN FOR OBELEDU YAM FESTIVAL: COMMUNITY EMERGES AS AGRICULTURAL HUB IN ANAMBRA STATE

Obeledu, a community in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, has made a significant breakthrough in the agricultural sector, as its annual New Yam Festival has taken a new dimension with the introduction of a yam competition. The festival, which held over the weekend, witnessed an unprecedented harvest of 95-kilogramme yam, earning the producer, Kenneth Ifeakandu, a whopping N500,000.

The President-General of Obeledu Progress Union, Ken Echendu, revealed that the community’s decision to introduce the yam competition was aimed at reviving and encouraging the spirit of agriculture among the youths, with the ultimate goal of achieving food sufficiency. Echendu emphasized that the initiative was part of the community’s deliberate effort to key into the agricultural revolution championed by the state governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.

The President-General further commended the members of the executive council for their sacrifices towards making the community’s New Yam Festival a huge success. He also appealed to all Obeledu people to continue supporting their administration, as they are committed to taking the community to greater heights.

The traditional ruler of the community, His Royal Highness, Igwe AC Oragwam (Ezeoranyelu III), while performing the traditional yam cutting ceremony, thanked God for granting his community a bountiful harvest. Oragwam urged Ndi-Obeledu and residents alike to continue embracing peace, which he described as the bedrock for growth and development.

The Secretary of the Obeledu Media Department, Ikechukwu Okafor, attributed the success of the occasion to the harmonious relationship existing between the Obeledu people. He also commended the Obeledu monarch for distributing yams and cash to less privileged individuals in the eight villages that constitute the town in celebration of the new yam festival.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Collins Nwabuwanne, who attended the event, congratulated the entire people of Obeledu for their successful outing. Nwabuwanne pointed out that he has been attending new yam festivals across the state to see how communities are keying into the agricultural revolution and praised Obeledu for its efforts. He urged other towns and communities in Anambra State to borrow a leaf from Obeledu’s example.

The 2024 edition of Obeledu’s New Yam Festival was attended by dignitaries including Senator representing Anambra Central senatorial district, Chief Victor Umeh, Transition Committee Chairman of Anaocha Local Government Area, Romanus Ibekwe, President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Emeka Obegolu, and royal fathers from far and near.

The highlights of the festival included church service, traditional dances, yam competition, displays by masquerades among others.