BY PRINCELY ONYENWE, IMO

The long-awaited Odu Umuoma New Yam Festival has come and gone and the people of the community have rejoiced and celebrated together with their kith and kins.

9News Nigeria was live at the event and reports that the celebration was like no other in the history of the Umuoma New Yam festival.

However, the Iri Ji “Odu” Umuoma New Yam Festival attracted all and sundry, the great and the mighty to the occasion.

The Festival was indeed a “top-notch” in the records of events in the community as witnessed by the good people of Umuoma Nekede in Owerri West local government area of Imo state Nigeria.

Furthermore, the expression of laughter seen on the faces of the guests and the Umuoma people is a proof that the Iri Ji Festival was successful and highly interesting.

Meanwhile, the Festival showcases the origination of Yam in the land of Nekede by their ancestor called “OMA” which brought the FIRST Yam to his Friend “EDE” which brought about the makeup of the celebration of the new yam by the three arms of NEKEDE.

THE MOMENT UMUOMA NEKEDE ATE THEIR NEW YAM - PHOTOS BY 9NEWS NIGERIA, OWERRI — THE MOMENT UMUOMA NEKEDE ATE THEIR NEW YAM – PHOTOS BY 9NEWS NIGERIA, OWERRI

The Yearly Festival which took place at the central school Nekede playground was opened with an inter-denominational church service that featured the creme of clergymen and was well attended by troops of guests from all walks of life.

Speaking at the ceremony, HRH EZE MORRISON SJ EKE, PHD, OMADIKE 1 OF UMUOMA NEKEDE AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY thanked the Almighty God for giving them the enablement to celebrate this year’s Festival.

The Umuoma Monarch further appreciated those that witnessed the Festival and most importantly thanked the 2021 Odu New Yam planning committee for a job well done in spite of the short time of planning.

It may interest my readers to note that the Umuoma people in Diaspora also participated and supported the Festival because of the PEACE and UNITY that has come to Umuoma Nekede.

The success of the Odu New Yam FESTIVAL is a credit to the Umuoma Peoples’ Assembly UPA led by the President General, Uche NWANERI.

Recall that the occasion was CHAIRED by the Former NUJ Chairman Imo State, Dr FIDEL ONYENEKE and the widespread of coverage was done by the dint of hard work of the public relations officer of Umuoma Nekede Autonomous community, Mr Princely Onyenwe, Imo state 9News Nigeria correspondent.

Below are the photos of the event in brief.