Applauding ‘Eze Udo’ For The New Yam Festival He Introduced At ABS -By Isaac Asabor

There is no gainsaying the fact that today’s globalization is relentless and even irremediable. Aptly put, globalization is more than ever before influencing Igbo cultural practices, so much that cultural patterns in that part of Nigeria are unprecedentedly paving the way for somewhat revolting modernity as can be seen in this digital age. In fact, there is a mutual astuteness of various trends in cultural practices and their exchange, so much that globalization is quickening the assimilation of nations into the global system.

Though, some people may justifiably argue the fact that the damages which globalization is causing our cultural practices is trifling as it is equally deepening cultural ties between the people and human migration. To me, the argument holds no water as there is a huge drawback in it, principally as the traditional and cultural practices bequeathed to us by our ancestral fathers are been cracked by each passing day.

It is no longer news these days to see people that have forgotten their own culture, and that we are in an age where young people no longer take interest in their own culture. In addition, less attention is paid to the development of the cultural practices of the Igboland in its own unique way.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it will be a disfavor to Chief Uche Nworah (Eze Udo) if Nigerians and Indigbo, to be precise, churlishly refused to thumb up for him for the good job he is known to be doing in this context. Truthfully, the ancestors will blessedly smile on him after appraising his aggressive traditional and cultural advocacies over the years, and particularly the seed of New Yam festival which he has sown in the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) where he serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

To buttress the foregoing view, it is expedient to recall that Chief Nworah was the spearhead when ABS management and staff rolled out the drums in celebration of the 2019 New Yam Festival in grand style on Friday, September 20, 2019 at the ABS Corporate Headquarters Awka.

The very colourful event, which was the first of its kind to be organized by the then new Board and Management of the electronic media outfit, attracted many important personages who cut across first class traditional rulers in the State notably, Obi Dr. Gibson Nwabueze Nwosu, Eze Uzu the second of Awka, Igwe Rowland Odegbo, Abogu of Nteje and Co-chairman of ABS Board of Directors who was also the Royal father of the day and Igwe (Dr.) Chukwuemeka Ilouno, Dunu of Ifite-Dunu.

During the inaugural event of the New Yam Festival, the Chairman of the special occasion was Mr. Emeka Maduegbuna, who is the Chairman of the ABS Board of Directors. Governor Willie Obiano was the Special Guest of Honour, while the MD/CEO of ABS, Chief Uche Nworah, was the host. The State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Andrew Kumapayi and his entourage as well as top officials of Fidelity Bank Plc who were Co-sponsors also graced the occasion among other dignitaries.

Highpoint of the momentous event was the formal cutting and eating of the roasted yam performed by the Host and MD/CEO of ABS, Chief Uche Nworah, who was radiating in great splendour in his traditional attire with his Chieftaincy staff of office and symbol of authority (Ngwu Agiliga) to match. There was enough to eat and drink as guests were served with sumptuous meals on that occasion.

Given the fact that the host, Chief Nworah, is undeniably an Igbo culture aficionado that has the passion to introduce Igbo culture to young Ndigbo and non-Igbo, it was not surprising to see various types of masquerades and other dancing troupes that entertained the esteemed guests and friends of ABS with their unique dancing steps and colorful outfits. After several speeches and goodwill messages were delivered by friends and customers of the broadcast outfit, came the paying of homage to the Board and Management by members of various Departments of ABS with their gift items to the delight of the guests.

At this juncture, one may not be wrong to conjecture that there might have being naysayers who wished the innovative cultural practice was not sustained in ABS but the gods have proved them wrong as the 2021 edition of the same event was celebrated by staff of ABS few days ago.

While declaring the event open at Ezeudo Square, ABS, Awka, Chief Nworah, stated that “New Yam festival as age long Igbo culture is very significant to the growth, development and sustainability of Igbo culture, and noted that beside promoting Igbo culture, such gathering triggers togetherness and bonding of staff members of the organization.
He thanked the Committee that organized the event as well others who contributed, and also encouraged Ndi Anambra to embrace agriculture for food sufficiency.

Chief Nworah after his speech performed the rite proper with roasted yam as the event attracted all the management staff of the ABS, including the Director of News and Current Affairs Department, Mr Gab Okpalaeze, Director of Programs Department, Mrs Nneka Ekwunife, Director of Commercial Department, Mrs Beatrice Akwanamnye, among others.