By By Ekunkonye Junior
Orumba Indigenes under the umbrella of Orumba Towns People’s Union (OTPU) from Anambra State, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is set to celebrate the New Yam Festival on October 4, 2025. According to Hon. Ikenna Obumneme Nwankwo, the President General (PG) of OTPU, the festival is a biennial event that showcases the community’s rich cultural heritage and agricultural prowess.
The OTPU, comprising 31 communities from Orumba North and South Local Government Areas of Anambra State, celebrates the festival to promote their culture and highlight the importance of yam production. Hon. Nwankwo explained that the festival is a significant occasion in the Southeastern part of Nigeria, particularly among the Igbo people.
“We celebrate the New Yam Festival every two years,” Hon. Nwankwo said. “We use the festival to rekindle and promote the rich culture of Orumba and celebrate our God-given agricultural produce, which is yam every year.”
The festival serves as a platform for the Orumba community in Abuja to showcase their cultural heritage and contributions to the nation’s agricultural sector. Hon. Nwankwo emphasized the importance of agriculture in Orumba, stating that the community is agrarian in nature and that yam is a staple food.
The OTPU President General also made a passionate appeal to the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Chukwuma Soludo, to support farmers in the state. Specifically, he requested that the governor provide farm implements, yam seedlings, and tractors to farmers to enhance agricultural productivity.
“We appeal to our governor to be providing farm implements to farmers,” Hon. Nwankwo said. “Giving us at every farming season, we may want Him to help in providing Yam seedlings to our farmers in the Southeast.”
The New Yam Festival is a significant cultural event that highlights the importance of agriculture and cultural heritage in the Orumba community. The OTPU’s celebration in Abuja serves as a testament to the community’s commitment to preserving their traditions and promoting their contributions to the nation’s development.
