The Monarch of Assa Ngugo, HRM Eze (Dr.) Kasa Admonishes Citizens As Community Marks 2025 New Yam Festival

The Monarch of Assa Ngugo, HRM Eze (Dr.) Kasa Admonishes Citizens As Community Marks 2025 New Yam Festival
……Prince Charles Amadi (Charlvon), Chief Onyemeziri Others Graced Event

By Onyeananam Chidinma

Assa Ngugo Autonomous Community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State was agog over the weekend (precisely, Saturday, 25th October, 2025) as the indigenes and guests trooped out enmass to mark their annual Assa Ngugo New Yam Cultural festival.

The well attended event took place at the Royal Palace of the traditional Ruler, HRM Eze (Dr.) Vitus Uchenna Kasa “Okwadike” MSM, CITLS, PMSP, DLPA , MIBM , FILHR , FMMPS ” Assa-2-of-Assa Ngugo”

The event, which was held under the chairmanship of Chief Emeka Onyemeziri “Ochiriozuo-1-of-Ofekata” with HRM Eze (Dr.) Oliver Ubaferem Njoku “Abazuma-1-of-Abazu; Oputaobie-of-Ikeduru” as the Royal Father of the Day, Major General Collins Ihekire and the Executive Secretary of IMSUBEB, Hon. Chuks Metu, as the special guests of honour; with other notable high-profiled personalities, custodians of culture, and other invitees in attendance, amongst whom are the Chairman of Ikeduru LGA, Hon. Chief Austin Nze; the Ikeduru Operational Leader, Prince Charles Amadi (Charlvon); the member representing Ikeduru Local Government Area in the IMHA, Hon. Iheoha JohnLeoba; and a host of others.

In his remarks, the Traditional Ruler of Assa Ngugo Autonomous Community, HRM Eze (Dr.) Kasa, expressed his happiness on the event. According to the message from the Royal Throne, HRM identified New Yam Festival (also known as Iri ji or Ikeji) as an annual cultural and spiritual ritual in Igboland, South Eastern Nigeria, where yam is being held to a very high Chief esteem “king of crops”

Speaking on the significance of the event, the respected custodian of culture said the festival is a testament of the Igbo people’s deep connection to the land and their agrarian lifestyle.

Continuing, HRM Kasa also highlighted that the celebration is to give thanks to God for a bountiful harvest. He revealed that during the Iri-ji period, old yams were usually discarded, and the entire community gathered for feast and traditional events to reaffirm their rich cultural heritage and identity. He stressed the need for communities in Igboland to go back to their roots and embrace agriculture to ensure food sufficiency.

The Royal Father reiterated that the new yam festival, which is usually held between August and October, resonates cultural reaffirmation, foster unity, strengthen community bonds, attract continual blessings, and cleanse the community off negative influences ,

HRM Kasa seized the platform to reel out a brief history of the New Yam Festival Celebration, which he disclosed is rooted in the Igbo tradition and history of several years. He revealed that the celebration is believed to have evolved over time, incorporating elements from various periods in Igbo history, as he called for the continual sustenance of the New Yam (Iri-ji) Festival.

HRM Kasa expressed dismay that the New Yam Festival is being
gradually influenced by modernization and adaptation in recent times while maintaining the core values. He assured that efforts are being made to preserve and promote the annual ritual New Yam (Iri-ji) Festival.

Furthermore, HRM said that New Yam Festival has evolved over time, incorporating modern elements while maintaining its core values and traditions. He added that efforts are being made to promote and preserve the festival.

The climax of the celebration is the conferment of Chieftaincy titles to deserving sons who have performed excellently well in human, capital, and community development; amongst whom are the former member representing Ikeduru constituency in the IMHA, Hon. Dr. Barr. Chief Uche Oguike, who was conferred with the title, ” Ugwumsinachi-1-of-Assa Ngugo”; Chief Oliver Opara, confered with the title, “Omengboji-1-of-Assa Ngugo”; Chief Ikechukwu Offor-Iwuji, conferred with the title, “Ugochinyere-1-of-Assa Ngugo; and Chief Emmanuel Ngerem, conferred with title, “Akuzueonu-1-of-Assa Ngugo.

Royal awards were also given to some other deserving personalities for their unflinching support to the development of Assa Ngugo Autonomous Community; including the Executive Secretary of IMSUBEB, Hon. Chuks Metu; Alhaji Sani Danbaba Foundation; Alhaji Ali Isa Mohammed; Mr. Godsgift Umukoro; Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Fufore; Maj. Gen. C.R.U Ihekire, and Mr. Charles Babarimisa.

A cross-section of villagers, who also spoke with our reporters after the event, described the reigning monarch of Assa Ngugo, HRM Kasa, as God-sent.

Meanwhile, the 2025 event showcased different masquerades, cultural dance steps, and beehives of other activities that took place amidst pomp and pleasantries. The occasion was also coloured with the financial empowerment of N100,000 cash to 20 women of Assa Ngugo Autonomous Community by Alhaji Danbaba Foundation to help support their existing small-scale businesses or even start new ones.

Expressing his appreciation, HRM Kasa thanked the distinguished guests, Assa Ngugo Council Of Chiefs, Ndi Eze, Ndi Nze, Ndi Ishiala, Cabinet-Chiefs, family friends, and the entire indigenes of Assa Ngugo Autonomous Community for coming out enmass to mark this year’s event; and he enjoined the indigenes to remain in their peaceful disposition.

In furtherance, the President General (PG) of Assa Ngugo Autonomous Community, High-Chief Damian Ibeh “Onatara-Dike-Egbe-1-of-Assa Ngugo”, who spoke to News men, also expressd delight that the 2025 event was a huge success.

High Chief Ibeh said, “Today is our New Yam Festival. We normally celebrate it every year to thank God for a fruitful harvest.”

Also, in his felicitation message, the Palace Secretary to the Royal throne, Stat. (Chief) Emmanuel Uchenna Ohaegbulem (Ph.D) said, “On behalf of my family, I congratulate my Great King, HRM Eze (Dr.) Vitus Uchenna Kasa “Okwadike” “Assa-2-of-Assa Ngugo Autonomous community” and the entire Assa Ngugo people for keeping the flag of our culture and tradition flying. Since HRM was enthroned as our king, he has remained consistent in ensuring that our culture does not fade away. Chief (Dr.) Ohaegbulem concluded.