Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR has called for a joint celebration of new yam for ndị Igbo of Eastern region extraction.
The Governor made the call at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, during the Maiden edition of Anambra Iri Ji Festival.
Governor soludo said that celebrating the Iri Ji Festival in unison will show the world that the Igbo has a wonderful culture, pointing out that it is the first time every local government in the state came together to celebrate.
“Our culture is not just dance display but a totality of who we are, how we dress, how we talk, in terms of our core values. Our culture is an embodiment of who we are. It is a celebration of our hardwork”; the Governor said.
Governor Soludo used the occasion to highlight his administration’s commitment to promoting Igbo culture and values, pointing out that his administration will also carry each other along, leaving nobody behind.
He also thanked all the state and local government cultural troupes for their colorful display of cultural procession, and assured that next year there would be prizes for the best local government with the best cultural procession performance.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Entertainment, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Donatus Onyenji, recalled that Governor Soludo charged Ndigbo in his manifesto to rediscover their core values and culture, pointing out that the 2023 Anambra Iri Ji Festival is part of the programme to continue to promote and sustain the rich Igbo culture and tradition.
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On his part, the Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, while applauding Governor Soludo and his wife, explained that the Anambra Traditional Rulers Council is in partnership with the South East Traditional Rulers Council and some groups of Archbishops to continue to promote the core principles and values of Igbo culture and tradition.
There was a display of cultural procession from representatives of all twenty-one local government areas in Anambra State
Anaocha Council area which harvested the biggest yam among all the others local government areas, won the prize money.
The event was attended the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, the Speaker Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Somtochukwu Udeze, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Mr. J.P.C. Anetoh, Chief Protocol officer, Hon. Chinedu Nwoye , Members of Anambra State Executive Council, Members of Anambra State House of Assembly, Transition Committee Chairmen, Traditional Rulers, President-Generals, among others
