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Glorify God through your Cultural heritage-Rev Fr Dim urges Parishioners  …As St Anthony Imo-Abia community celebrates New Yam Festival 

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By Ignatius Okorocha
It was celebration galore as Parishioners of St Anthony Imo-Abia Catholic community in Christ the King Catholic Church (CKC) Kurudu in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday, September 15, 2024, rolled out their drums in celebration of their New Yam Festival, popularly known as( Iri Ji- Ohuru Festival in Igboland)
The occasion which displayed traditional Yam-Ban containing yams of different sizes and roasted yams one of which was cut to pieces by the traditional ruler of Ndigbo in Kurudu known as H R H,      Igwe Goodluck,Eze Igbo Gburugburu of  Kurudu who was the first to test the yam and followed by the Parish Priest, Very Rev Fr Thaddeus  Chike Dim and other dignitaries invited to grace  the occasion.
The event featured traditional dances by Imo-Abia community women and men in their numbers even as members of Imo-Abia community appeared in their Isi-Agu ceremonial attire.
The community used the occasion to raise funds in support of the on-going church projects.
Fielding questions from Our Correspondent, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Dim, called on Parishioners to glorify God through their diverse cultural heritage.
“It is something beautiful for Imo-Abia community in my Parish to have come together to celebrate part of the Igbo culture “New Yam festival, popularly known as ( Iri Ji- Ohuru)”  in our Parish, Christ the King Catholic Church (CKC) Kurudu in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Kurudu.
“You can see that since we gathered here, it has been a thing of joy. Different cultural groups, singing, Dancing, cutting and eating the New Yam.
“This is the yam that was cultivated this year, it has blossomed and we are celebrating it.”
On the significance of the celebration of the new yam festival in the tradition of the church, Fr Chike said,” traditionally in Igbo culture before you plant yam, you go and pray to God, if you remember in the literature book known as “Things fall apart” by Chinua Achebe Onoka before he planted his crops he went and called on his gods to bless and make it fruitful. He reminded his (Chi as it is known in traditional religion) that it  was a new planting season and that he was  going to plant his crops and begged his gods to assist him so that they will give increase to his crops.
So, today’s ceremony is something that we should do before the commencement of farming season  and after we have  harvested our crops. Again if we experience bountiful harvest there is need for us to come back to thank God.
” Traditionally, that is how it should be done. So, as Christians, our believe is  in Christ and therefore all our praises go  to God in our planting season.
The very significant thing that we are doing today, is that we are thanking God for giving us increase, giving us a bountiful harvest this year. The ceremony has a very significant place in the Catholic Church and I encourage all  communities in the Parish to celebrate it.
We are thanking God for his blessings.
On why out of the two major Igbo communities in CKC parish Kurudu, comprising St Anthony Imo-Abia Catholic community and St Joseph Enugu-Anambra and Ebonyi, only St Anthony Imo-Abia community are celebrating this core Igbo culture ( Iri-ji Ohuru), Fr Dim, an Indigene of Imo state said at the planning level he asked the leadership of the st Joseph community why his community was not joining their counter part in celebrating the new yam festival and he was told that St Joseph’s community would celebrate theirs next year.
 He said he was looking forward to seeing st Joseph’s community perform it’s new yam festival by next year.
On his advice to other ethnic nationalities in the parish on how to celebrate their culture, he said, “You know in the past, many people used to think that the church does not promote culture, it is not true. There is what is called inculturation: things like Kola-nut, Yam etc and these things we celebrate in our culture should be something that the church should continue to celebrate and   promote.
“So, I call on the other communities in this parish in particular and even in the diocese at large, to make out time and  celebrate their cultural heritage. One beautiful thing that this will do for us is  that we would be able to hand over our culture to our younger ones.”
Continuing he said,”Some of our children are growing outside the Igboland and it is the duty of our parents to introduce our culture to them. And so, if we celebrate our culture in the cities where we reside, our children and younger generation will learn our culture and this culture will be handed over from generation to another generation.
 “It is not something that will die because they are no more living in their places of origin such as the villages  and as such our culture should not die. No! these are beautiful things that God has given to us.
“The yam is a beautiful thing that God has given us today, we are eating it, it is something that makes our people proud.
“So, we should maintain such culture in all the communities and I encourage my parishioners to emulate their diverse  cultural heritage just like St Anthony Imo-Abia community is doing today.
“Please bring your cultural heritage up and let the younger generation learn from it and remember that at the end, we are all giving glory to God who has blessed us and given us these verities that we have in different cultures.”
In his remarks, Chairman of Imo-Abia community in CKC Kurudu, Chief Honorus Obasi took out time to trace the origin of New Yam festival in Igboland. He said,”The festival is a joyful celebration in appreciation of a successful farming season, that is, when the yam and other crops are satisfactory, good, indeed very bountiful.
“It is a celebration of culture, well-being and life achievement. In times past, large-scale yam farming was considered a symbol of prosperity and one’s maturity. But who are the Igbo one may ask?
“Origin: Iri ji ohuru has its origin in the Igbo homeland, but now celebrated around the world where Igbos are found in reasonable numbers. Its celebration typically depicts Igbo history, tradition, religion and culture and thanksgiving with Emume, Ifejioku, Iwa ji, Ahajioku, Ofala, etc. The event holds on a market day generally at the end of the cropping season.
This is often presided over by the Eze or traditional head of the community, assisted by Ndi Ezeji and the eldest person in the community. Prayers are made to Chukwu-Okike-Abiama, the Igbo God, who has given plenty of yams to the people, that He continues to bless us to prosper the growth, cultivation and harvest of yams in our communities.”
Continuing he said,”The Igbo people are found in many states in the southeast, as well as Delta, Benue, and other adjoining states. The area is located in the rainforest belt, stretching from the delta in the south and bounded in the north by the Igala and the Idoma; in the northeast by the Tiv and the Yako; in the south by the Ogoni and the Ijaw; in the east by the Umon and the Ekoi; in the southeast by the Ibibio and the Annang; in the west by the Isoko and the Urhobo, and in the northwest by the Bini and the Ishan. With an estimated population of 32,000,000 (thirty-two million) by 2010 population count, leaving an average Igbo land of 2,025 people per square mile, making it one of the most densely populated regions in Africa.
“Yam in Igbo Civilization:One of the world largest producers of yam is Igbo land. This implies that the Igbo are traditionally agriculturists, and yam has long served as the principal dietary staple food. In many areas, its tuber is widely recognized for its medicinal properties, and its leaves chewed to relieve gastric distress and the root provides steroids with anti-inflammatory properties that reduce cholesterol levels, swellings caused by arthritis, rheumatism and fungal growths on human skin. The Igbo have built a unique ‘civilization’ around her own genius of the crop. Due to its prime social value among the people, it is considered the king of their crops. All interests, desires and dreams converge upon it; prestige, fame and power rest upon it, and around it are organised institutions, rituals and ceremonies such as the Yam Festival as demonstrated in today’s occasion.
“The annual festival of Iri ji ohuru re-ignite our belief in the philosophy of Umunna Wu Ike, the typical Igbo solidarity. Religiously speaking, this event reminds Ndi Igbo of the implications of the Christian doctrine of Holy Communion, the Resurrection and Fellowship that characterize the gathering around the Lord’s Table as a people of God. We recommend its concept be adapted into the Christian liturgy so that the ceremony can become fully Christianized and add pep to the liturgical celebration.
“We pray for good health, protection against diseases, the fertility of our people, domestic animals and our farmland. The climax of the Thanksgiving is the distribution of the cooked and roasted tubers of yam with mmiri oku ya and chicken pepper soup to all the gathered people present, singing, dancing, drinking and generally making merriment. The Iri ji ohuru festival ranks as the most esteemed of all Igbo festivals. It reminds us that we have a religious obligation to cultivate yams, no matter how small
The Iri ji ohuru festival is a vibrant event in Igbo culture and tradition, highlighting the importance of yam in Igbo society. It also demonstrates the rich cultural heritage of the people.”
The event was graced by the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Thaddeus Chike Dim(OCD) who was accompanied by the associate Priest, Rev Fr Cyril Udom (OCD),Rev Johncross  Onyedikachi Ozo(OCD) and other dignitaries.

General News

Natasha: Senate passes vote of confidence in Akpabio  …..says sexual harassment allegation is before the court

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By George Mgbeleke
Satisfied with the way suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP Kogi Central) for misconduct and her sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio
were handled, the Red Chamber on Thursday passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the number three citizen.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio

This followed a motion raised by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), under Orders 40 and 51 of the Senate Rules on the controversies created by the actions taken on the misconduct and alleged sexual harassment.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for violating the Senate Rules, had described it as an injustice and reported the matter to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU of the United Nations on Tuesday.
Presenting the motion, Senator Bamidele stressed the need for clarity, adherence to legislative rules and a renewed focus on governance despite the heightened public interest in the matter due to allegations made by the Kogi lawmaker.
According to him, at no point between August 2023 and the present was the Senate informed of any sexual harassment claims, adding that the issue at hand was purely about disciplinary measures related to breaches of Senate rules.
“I want to make it clear that the matter referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges had nothing to do with sexual harassment.
“The Senate President did not preside over any case related to such allegations. What was addressed was a flagrant disregard for Senate rules and we followed due process as guided by the Constitution,” he stressed.
Senator Bamidele, who insisted that the Senate took the right decision to maintain order and uphold legislative integrity, refuted claims that the Red Chamber acted beyond its constitutional rights, noting that suspension remains the only alternative to anarchy within the chamber.
“It was never an issue before us that any member of us was sexually harassed and we hold on to that point. We need to put the events of the last two weeks and concentrate. There is work before us and we have done everything possible, ensuring that the electoral reforms and others have legislative expressions,” he added.
The Senate Leader was happy about the IPU’s reaction to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s report, saying the international body acted within its own rules, and that any statements made by the Senator in question at the IPU meeting were done in a personal capacity, not as a designated delegate representing Nigeria.
He said: “It was never an issue before us that any senator was sexually harassed. We need to move past the events of the last two weeks and focus on our legislative responsibilities. There is critical work before us, including electoral reforms, economic recovery, and tax reform bills.
“The 7th schedule of the 1999 Constitution is clear, and we all swore by oath that we will make laws for the good of this country. We swore to that oath and ensured everyone abides by that oath.”
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary session, said it was time to focus on the implementation of the 2025 budget already signed by President Bola Tinubu through legislative functions, especially since the sexual harassment allegation is now before the court.
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HOSTCON Youth Council hails Senator Ned Nwoko on his new  appointment

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Senator Ned Nwoko(right) and Emmanuel Fiawei(left)

HOSTCON Youth Council hails Senator Ned Nwoko on his new  appointment

By David Owei, Bayelsa

Youths of the Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council Of Nigeria (HOSTCON) have described as ” commendable” the appointment of the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State, Sen. Ned Nwoko as the Chairman, Senate Ad- Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft.

According to HOSTCON, the appointment of Sen. Ned Nwoko by the 10th Senate under the leadership of Sen God’swill Akpabio as a game-changer for the entire oil and gas value chain in the nation’s oil industry.

The Host Communities Producing Oil Gas and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council Of Nigeria under the leadership of the National President, Comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Path finder, stated in a statement issued via electronic mail, that the Senator Ned Nwoko-led Committee will salvage the nation’s oil and gas sector and the economic woes of the country.

According to HOSTCON, ” it would never be business as usual for the saboteurs, both locally and internationally because he has already hit the ground running, and Nigerians would see what has never happened in the fight against oil and gas thieves no matter who they are.”

“As a round peg in a round hole, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Other Related Matters, his underground strategies would take these thieves by storm and surprise, and this would usher in lasting solutions in curbing the menace of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal bunkering activities in the creeks of Niger Delta region and the hinterlands.”

“The Senator Ned Nwoko we know, is a man of courage and master strategist, who has all it takes to rid the oil and gas sector of this ugly menace of sabotage by some devilish persons who have over the years stolen our common patrimony for their self aggrandizement.”

“We must say that Senator Ned Nwoko, a son of the Niger Delta understands the region so deeply and has broad knowledge about the nefarious activities of these plunders of our national wealth, and knows how to marshal out his strategies to change the ugly narrative in the oil and gas sector.”

” His appointment is highly welcomed by all and sundry and due to his pedigree and sagacity as a patriotic, detribalized, and true Nigerian leader who has distinguished himself in serving the nation with national conscience.”

“We also want to assure Nigerians that Senator Ned Nwoko’s 100 days in this saddle will end oil theft and would be resounding and reverberating because we have seen the handwriting already, and that it would bring about a stupendous growth and development of the oil and gas sector in no distant time as he had already commenced the job by leading a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, seeking a partnership with the military to curb the menace, and also has set up and inaugurated a surveillance team for overt and covert oversight on oil facilities and institutions.”

“Interestingly, the committee has called for strengthening of intelligence-sharing mechanisms, surveillance operations and fostering of seamless inter-agency collaboration to dismantle the complex networks behind crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region and across the international borders.”

“Recently, he affirmed the The committee’s unwavering commitment and sense of patriotism in its resolve to implement watertight policies, deploy cutting-edge security technology, and ensure that those who undermine the national wealth are held accountable.”

“He also said that the task at hand transcends revenue protection; it is about securing the future, bolstering economic resilience, and creating an environment conducive for national progress.”

“0We want Nigerians to be confident about Senator Ned Nwoko because his track record based on his background as an international criminal lawyer. He has the expertise to ensure these thieves are brought to justice, and also his solid performance on the floor of the Senate and impact on his senatorial district is amazing as he has moved numerous life changing motions and bills been sponsored by distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko on the floor of the Red Chambers within the one and half years under the President Bola Tinubu ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra has drastically transformed the lives of his people.”

“Therefore at this juncture, the leadership of the HOSTCON YOUTH COUNCIL OF NIGERIA, under comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder, National Exco, elders and Board of Trustees, throw our full weight behind Sen Ned Nwoko-led Ad hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Other Related Matters.”

“We at HOSTCON, being the most critical umbrella body that is the ears, eyes, strength, energy and heart beat of the nation’s oil and gas producing communities in the creeks as well the strength and the life-wire of the nation’s economy will partner with the 10th Senate under the leadership of Distinguished Senator Godswill Akp, through the Chairman of the Senate Add-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, Sen Ned Nwoko, the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in Delta State to join hands together for us to foster a collective responsibility to salvage the economy of our dear country by all means from the hands of this sophisticated oil thieves in collaboration with their foreign counterparts in this illicit business bent to cripple out economy.”

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NAS seeks review of laws against gender-based discriminations and violence ..says gender-based biases at the homestead

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National Association of Seadogs—Pyrates Confraternity (NAS-PC) officials

By David Owei, Bayelsa

The National Association of Seadogs—Pyrates Confraternity (NAS-PC) has called for a review of laws mitigating against cases of gender-based discriminations and violence in the society.

The (NAS-PC), in conjunction with gender based advocacy groups including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Bayelsa State and the Do Foundation, however agreed that despite the needed review, there is the need of addressing gender-based biases at the homestead, noting that perpetrators of gender-based discriminations and violence are often fathers, brothers, and sons.

The Capoon of the Oxbow Marino Deck of the National Association of Seadogs—Pyrates Confraternity (NAS-PC), Engr. Adogbeji Egbonoje, while speaking during a state-wide radio discussion programme on Radio Bayelsa 97.1 FM, Yenagoa. This year’s theme, “For all Women and Girls: Rights, Equality and Empowerment, stressed that paying attention to how sons are raised and groomed would have a profound impact on how they relate with women as adults.

He emphasized the importance of addressing gender-based biases at the homestead, noting that perpetrators of gender-based discriminations and violence are often fathers, brothers, and sons.

He stressed that paying attention to how sons are raised and groomed would have a profound impact on how they relate with women as adults.

He also highlighted the significance of cultivating the mind of the girl child from infancy, instilling confidence in young girls as they venture into the world as adults,” This, he believed, would empower them to withstand negative peer pressures and chart their paths in life.”

Also speaking on the radio discussion programme, the National Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA),Barr. Ebiere Emmanuella and the Former Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Bayelsa State, Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry also shared expert insights on the historical context of International Women’s Day, progress made in gender equality, and the importance of education and policy changes in addressing systemic barriers.

The two legal experts pointed out the the roles of organizations like FIDA and the NBA in supporting marginalized women and pointed out contending issues of workplace equality, women’s leadership, and the role of men as allies in the fight for gender equality.

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