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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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2 years ago

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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.
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OBYC Worldwide fault Ineife led IYC over planned protest against Bayelsà Industrialist. ….urges IYC to respect for Court Process

Published

4 hours ago

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July 25, 2026

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By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council (OBYC) Worldwide has condemned the planned protest over the legal dispute involving Azikel Group President, Dr. Azibapu Godbless Eruani, CFR, and Mr. Kariyai Daukoru, describing the action as unnecessary while the matter remains before a competent court.

OBYC, in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen, urged Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone Chairman, Comrade Peres Ineife, to suspend the proposed protest and allow the judicial process to run its course.

It also appealed to the newly elected IYC Worldwide President, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, to promote dialogue and reconciliation among the parties involved in the Aviation Training initiative.

OBYC maintained that Dr. Eruani’s aviation training initiative was a philanthropic programme designed to empower Bayelsa youths and rejected allegations that he intended to victimise anyone.

The Council further called on Ijaw youths, political leaders and stakeholders to exercise restraint, respect the rule of law, and avoid actions capable of undermining the judiciary or disrupting peace.

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OBYC Worldwide fault Ineife led IYC over planned protest against Bayelsà Industrialist. ….urges IYC to respect for Court Process The Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council (OBYC) Worldwide has condemned the planned protest over the legal dispute involving Azikel Group President, Dr. Azibapu Godbless Eruani, CFR, and Mr. Kariyai Daukoru, describing the action as unnecessary while the matter remains before a competent court. OBYC, in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen, urged Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone Chairman, Comrade Peres Ineife, to suspend the proposed protest and allow the judicial process to run its course. It also appealed to the newly elected IYC Worldwide President, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, to promote dialogue and reconciliation among the parties involved in the Aviation Training initiative. OBYC maintained that Dr. Eruani’s aviation training initiative was a philanthropic programme designed to empower Bayelsa youths and rejected allegations that he intended to victimise anyone. The Council further called on Ijaw youths, political leaders and stakeholders to exercise restraint, respect the rule of law, and avoid actions capable of undermining the judiciary or disrupting peace.

Published

4 hours ago

on

July 25, 2026

By

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council (OBYC) Worldwide has condemned the planned protest over the legal dispute involving Azikel Group President, Dr. Azibapu Godbless Eruani, CFR, and Mr. Kariyai Daukoru, describing the action as unnecessary while the matter remains before a competent court.

OBYC, in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen, urged Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone Chairman, Comrade Peres Ineife, to suspend the proposed protest and allow the judicial process to run its course.

It also appealed to the newly elected IYC Worldwide President, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, to promote dialogue and reconciliation among the parties involved in the Aviation Training initiative.

OBYC maintained that Dr. Eruani’s aviation training initiative was a philanthropic programme designed to empower Bayelsa youths and rejected allegations that he intended to victimise anyone.

The Council further called on Ijaw youths, political leaders and stakeholders to exercise restraint, respect the rule of law, and avoid actions capable of undermining the judiciary or disrupting peace.

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Two Fishermen Fear Dead ln Bayelsa Ocean

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4 hours ago

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July 25, 2026

By

Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa State

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Two fishermen have been declared missing after their boat capsized off the coast of Opu-Okumbiri in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

It was gathered that the missing fishermen were identified as Elder Sunday Sample Timothy and his assistant, Mr. Avarada.

According to a source, Chief Saturday Akimi-Omunhuo, a community leader, the two men left for a fishing expedition at about 1:00 a.m. on Friday when the outboard engine of their fishing boat reportedly developed a fault while they were far out at sea.

Chief Akimi-Omunhuo said a rescue boat towed the disabled vessel toward the continental shelf and the Atlantic coastline. However, as they approached the shore, strong waves reportedly capsized the faulty boat, throwing the two fishermen into the water.

He narrated that the rescue boat and those aboard reached the shore safely, but the two fishermen have remained missing.

Community members were said to immediately launch a search operation along the coastline and surrounding waters. The search team later recovered the fishermen’s fishing gear, but there was no sign of the missing men as of the time of filing this report.

Chief Akimi-Omunhuo described the incident as tragic, noting that similar accidents have occurred over the years in the coastal communities.

He appealed to the Brass Local Government Council, the Bayelsa State Government, the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to provide improved safety equipment, weather monitoring systems and other support for fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on the sea.

“Our people depend on fishing for survival. We need better safety measures to reduce the loss of lives on our waterways,” he said.

Search efforts for the two missing fishermen were still ongoing at the time of this report.

Authorities were yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

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