…holds new yam festival
Chairman of Nzuko Ada Lagos (NEL) Branch, Sam Obasi, has appealed to government at all levels to improve the security situation in the country, stressing that the high level of insecurity in Nigeria has adversely affected the socio-economic development of the country.
Obasi made the appeal while speaking during the 2025 New Year Festival and inauguration of the Board of Trustees (BOT) members of Nzuko Edda Lagos Branch.
According to him, the state of insecurity in the country, which includes kidnappings, clashes between Fulani chiefs/farmers, banditry, etc., has greatly contributed to the food insecurity currently facing the country, as farmers no longer go to the fields for fear of being killed or kidnapped.
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“There is a need for governments and security actors to adopt new technology to curb insecurity in the country.
“As a matter of urgency, the government should stop the conflict between farmers/Fulani herdsmen, to stop the cows from entering various farms to destroy agricultural crops.
Obasi said, “When there is security in the land, people can travel freely from one place to another, farmers can easily go to the fields, and there will be abundant food for the public.”
On the New Yam Festival, the President explained that the annual celebration was necessary because it gives the people of Edda Local Government of Ebonyi State living in Lagos the opportunity to identify with their community members annually.
“This gathering is about the celebration of the New Yam Festival. The issue of the New Yam Festival is especially important for the Igbo people.
“The festival shows that we are happy and alive after seeing the harvest of the new yam. It also serves as a period whereby we celebrate abundance because during periods of famine there is usually less production of agricultural crops, but immediately the new yam comes out the food becomes abundant. For us, we are happy to survive the time of famine and we are in abundance, we thank God for preserving our lives. Are, he said.
On the other hand, he advised Igbos around the world to become peaceful and law abiding citizens and not look for trouble in their various places of residence.
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Speaking in the same vein, Ejogo Hassan Ekumankama confirmed that since its inception in Lagos the festival has impacted eleven autonomous communities of the Ada people of Ebonyi living in Lagos.
On his part, the CEO RESSA, Festus Ibiam, who also spoke during the event, described the annual event as a showcase of Igbo culture, “It is a time in which we look at each other, interact with each other, and ask each other how they are doing in terms of life, and come up with ideas about community projects.”
Speaking at the celebration, the Women Coordinator of Nzuko Edda Lagos Branch, Edith Ezeson expressed gratitude to Almighty God for sparing her life to see another new Yam Festival in Lagos.
