Royal Splendor As Assa Ngugo Community Marks 2026 New Yam festival ....HRM Eze Vitus Kasa Harps On Better Healthcare -

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Royal Splendor As Assa Ngugo Community Marks 2026 New Yam festival

….HRM Eze Vitus Kasa Harps On Better Healthcare

By Onyeananam Chidinma

In a bid to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Igboland, family, friends, and indigenes of Assa Ngugo Autonomous Community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State trooped out enmass on Saturday, 24th of October, 2026; to mark the Annual Assa Ngugo New Yam Cultural Festival.

The well-attended colourful 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” under the Chairmanship of the General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Olam Agri Nigeria, Prince Charles Babarimsa; with HRM Eze (Dr.) Oliver Ubaferem Njoku “Abazuma-2-of-Abazu; Oputaobie-of-Ikeduru” (Royal Father of the Day), Imo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Party (APC), Chief Austin Onyedebelu, Managing Director, MIM Global Resources Limited, Chief Dr. Sir Stanley Iyere, KSM and the Ebe-genidein-Owei of Kabo Owei Kingdom, Chief Felix Oyindenyefa Miebal, as the special guests of honour.

The carnival-like festival also has notable high-profiled dignitaries, custodians of culture, and other invitees in attendance, amongst whom are the former Chairman of Ikeduru LGA, Hon. Chief Justice Nze; the Ikeduru Operational Leader, Prince Charles Amadi (Charlvon), 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 esteem “king of crops” and a symbol of life and prosperity.

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. HRM reeled out the historical origin of the festival. The festival’s origin is rooted in the Igbo tradition and oral history of several years.

Continuing, HRM Kasa also highlighted that the celebration is to give thanks to God Almighty (Chi-ukwu) the earth (Ala), and the ancestors for a bountiful harvest. He revealed that during the Iri-ji period, old yams were usually discarded, and the entire community gathered for feast in a traditional events to reaffirm their rich cultural heritage and identity.

HRM 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 cleanses the community off negative influences.

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

Expressing his appreciation, HRM Kasa thanked the distinguished guests, members of the Eze-in-Council, Assa Ngugo Council of Chiefs, Ndi Eze, Ndi Nze, Ndi Ishiala, 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.

The Royal father seized the platform to plead with the Imo State Government to prioritize Healthcare in Assa Ngugo Community. He said, “we need good healthcare centres in my community; we find it difficult to access healthcare”.

In furtherance, the President General (PG) of Assa Ngugo Autonomous Community, High-Chief Damian Ibeh “Onatara-Dike-Egbe-1-of-Assa Ngugo”, also expressed delight on the 2026 edition of Assa Ngugo Iri-ji Festival.

High Chief Ibeh said, “On behalf of my family, I congratulate our Royal Majesty and the entire people of Assa Ngugo Kingdom for a successful event; and pray God to bless and grant them His Divine Protection always.

Also, in his felicitation message, the Palace Secretary to the Royal Throne, Chief (Stat.) 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.

Pouring eulogies, Sir Dr. Stanley Iyere, a 4th Degree Knight of St. Mulumba, said “Eze Kasa is a good man. He has passion for helping humanity. And given the level of love he always showcases, I am having this motivation that I will sponsor a 1 million Naira football tournament to support next year’s new yam festival” he acknowledged.

In their respective speeches, both Prince Victor Kamsiyochukwu Kasa and Alhaji Sani Danbaba, “Ikukuoma of Igboland” also stressed on the need for the culture to be sustained.

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.

The climax of the celebration is the conferment of Chieftaincy titles to deserving persons who have performed excellently well in human, capital, and community developments.

Royal awards were also given to some other deserving personalities for their unflinching supports to the development of Assa Ngugo Autonomous Community.

Meanwhile, the 2026 event showcased different masquerades, cultural dance steps, and beehives of other activities, which took place amidst pomp and pleasantries.