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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

Kiloshele lauds NANS Leadership Under Babatunde For peaceful protest for release of Abducted Students, Teachers of Oyo State

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By David Owei
A forefront NAUS Presidential Aspirant, Comr. David Aladesanmi popularly referred as Mr. Kiloshele, has lauded the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), *Akinteye Babatunde Afeez GCNS*, for his exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigerian students.

He particularly commended the *NANS President* for peacefully mobilizing and coordinating efforts towards the abducted students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area. According to Mr. Kiloshele, the mature and responsible approach adopted by the student body under Akinteye’s leadership demonstrates the power of unity, dialogue, and constructive engagement in addressing national challenges.

Mr. Kiloshele further praised NANS for its consistent advocacy for student safety and security across educational institutions nationwide. He emphasized the need for all stakeholders, including government agencies and security operatives, to strengthen security measures in schools to safeguard students, teachers, and learning environments.

He called for sustained collaboration between student leaders, educational authorities, and security agencies to ensure that schools remain safe havens for learning and development, while applauding NANS, NAUS & sister bodies for standing firmly in defense of Nigerian students.

“Leadership is best measured by service, courage, and results. He conclusively, called upon media agencies to give this movement a worldwide publication as days is given to return our students, teachers back to thier schools and make Nigeria safe & safer for our education.

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Nigeria’s milk self-sufficiency will be won at states, LGs, not in Abuja -Expert

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Prof. Demo Kalla

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Nigeria’s journey to dairy self-sufficiency must shift from federal policy documents to deliberate action by states and local governments, a member of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, PLRIC, and Acting Director of the TETFUND Centre of Excellence on Dairy Research and Development, ATBU Bauchi, Prof. Demo Kalla has said.

Kalla spoke during a panel session on “Mainstreaming Dairy Development Policy at the Sub-national Level for Self-sufficiency: Opportunities, Challenges and Way Forward” as part of activities to mark the 2026 World Milk Day.

The session was moderated by a Radio Nigeria presenter Rita Ene Okwanihe while other panelists included Mr Snorri Sigurdsson, Head of Raw Milk Production, Arla Foods Nigeria; Dr Ishaq Bello, Special Adviser to the Minister of Livestock Development; Mr Brighton Ochieng, Chief Technical Officer, Promasidor Nigeria; and Hon. Adamu Mammagi Abdullahi, Commissioner for Livestock Development, Niger State.

Setting the context, Kalla said mainstreaming dairy development at the sub-national level means making dairy a deliberate part of state and local government planning, budgeting, investment promotion and rural economic strategy.

“In practical terms, it means moving dairy development from being viewed as a federal livestock initiative to becoming a priority economic sector owned and driven by states and local governments,” he stated.

He described it as “the missing link between Nigeria’s enormous livestock potential and the realization of dairy self-sufficiency.”

“Given that milk is produced in communities, not in policy documents, the success of Nigeria’s dairy transformation agenda will ultimately depend on actions taken at the state and local levels,” Kalla added.

He urged states and local government areas to domesticate the National Dairy Policy and create frameworks to attract investors, while promoting milk as a “super food for nutritional security.”

On the role of academia, Kalla said universities, research institutions and extension services are “the backbone of sustainable dairy development” because they generate knowledge, adapt technologies and build human capacity.

“Our mandate is to solve immediate local problems at the sub-national level. They must become active partners in the dairy transformation agenda by supporting state governments, dairy cooperatives, processors, and producers with evidence-based solutions,” he said.

He listed three immediate priorities: demand-driven research, technology transfer through demonstration farms and digital platforms, and capacity building and skills development.

“The dairy industry we desire will not emerge from investments in infrastructure alone. It will be built on knowledge, innovation, skills, and partnerships,” Kalla stressed.

Announcing a practical step, the expert said the Dairy Research and Development Centre, DRDC, stands ready to serve as a national platform for dairy science research, capacity building, innovation and knowledge sharing.

He called on the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration to accelerate Nigeria’s path to milk self-sufficiency, improved nutrition and rural prosperity.

Earlier in his goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Development, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said dairy development is a strategic economic enterprise that can create jobs, improve nutrition and reduce Nigeria’s import dependence.

Jega, who is also Co-Chairman of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, PLRIC, said
this year’s theme is “Celebrating Women Dairy Farmers: Promoting Fresh Milk Consumption for a Healthy Nation,” stressing that it recognizes the pivotal role women play in milk production, processing, marketing and value addition across Nigeria.

He noted that the United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, IYWF 2026, underscoring women’s contributions to food security and economic growth.

“For Nigeria’s dairy sector, it reinforces the imperative of empowering women dairy farmers through improved access to productive assets, finance, technology, skills development, markets, and leadership opportunities,” he said.

The presidential adviser added that under President Bola Tinubu, the ongoing livestock reforms have placed dairy development at the heart of efforts to transform the livestock economy.

According to him, promoting fresh milk consumption is both a public health and economic imperative, saying “every litre of locally produced and consumed milk strengthens domestic value chains, creates opportunities for farmers and processors, improves household incomes, and contributes to national food and nutrition security.”

He said PLRIC remains committed to sustainable dairy development through policy reforms, investment promotion, breed improvement, pasture development, One Health, infrastructure expansion and stronger public-private partnerships.

Jega called on state governments, development partners, financial institutions, processors and investors to collaborate in mainstreaming dairy development at the sub-national level.

He concluded that a competitive dairy subsector will create wealth, employment and deliver nutritious fresh milk for a healthier and prosperous Nigeria.

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Tinubu commissions Jahi CNG Station as Rolling Energy leads clean fuel drive

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Olugbenga Salami

President Bola Tinubu has commissioned a state-of-the-art Compressed Natural Gas Daughter Booster Station in Jahi, Abuja, in a fresh push to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on costly petroleum products and unlock the value of its gas reserves.

Tinubu, who was by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the facility as a centrepiece of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said the agenda places domestic gas utilisation at the heart of Nigeria’s industrial and economic future.

Nigeria holds about 215 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves. Yet for decades, much of the resource has been exported while Nigerians grapple with expensive and polluting fossil fuels.

The Tinubu administration is now moving to reverse that trend. The Jahi commissioning is one of four gas infrastructure projects unveiled simultaneously nationwide.

Similar facilities were launched by Ibile Oil and Gas and Portland Energy in Lagos and Owerri respectively.

“This facility marks another important milestone in our collective drive to deepen gas utilisation, expand access to cleaner energy solutions, and strengthen Nigeria’s gas value chain,” Ekpo declared at the event.

At the forefront of the transformation is Rolling Energy Limited, the private firm behind the Jahi station which developed the project in partnership with the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, MDGIF.

Chairman of Rolling Energy, Mubarak Umar Dambata, said the company’s footprint extends beyond Abuja.

He disclosed that Rolling Energy is rolling out CNG mother stations, daughter stations and Liquefied Natural Gas facilities in Kaduna, Kano and Borno states.

The firm has also partnered with the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles to convert over 8,000 vehicles to gas-powered systems.

The initiative is designed to translate policy into direct savings for commuters, tricycle operators and businesses.

The Jahi facility has a sales capacity of 1,000 Standard Cubic Metres, SCM, per hour.

It features two CNG tube skids with a combined storage capacity of 17,000 SCM.

The station also houses a Mass Conversion Centre that can convert up to 20 vehicles and 25 tricycles daily.

Since commercial operations began, it has been serving 350–400 vehicles per day.

Projected capacity is to serve more than 1,000 CNG vehicles and 100 trucks daily across the FCT and surrounding regions.

Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, Ismahil Ahmed, said the removal of fuel subsidies created urgency for alternative energy.

“CNG offers a cleaner and more economically viable option,” Ahmed argued. He urged investors to move quickly into a market where demand for gas infrastructure is rising.

Presidential Adviser Sunday Dare said the administration has commissioned 25 projects nationwide to mark its third anniversary, with clean energy and gas infrastructure featuring prominently.

With regulatory backing from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and financial support from MDGIF, officials say the foundation for a CNG-powered Nigeria is now in place.

For truck drivers, tricycle operators and factory owners, the promise is lower costs, cleaner air and greater energy reliability.

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