It was a moment of joy, celebration and thanksgiving to God for bountiful harvest during Umueri 2025 new yam festival, otherwise known as Iwa ji Umueri , performed by the Traditional Ruler of community, Igwe Benneth Emeka at his palace Odoabor Umueri which commenced with a non denominational mass with the theme “Responding to the mercy of God”.
Igwe Emeka who prayed for development , progress, and lasting peace and unity in Umueri and the neighbouring towns, breaked the kola nut, cut the new yam and shared it to the quarters in Umueri namely Ezi, Ikenga and Ivite as well as Otuocha political quarter, noting that new yam festival in Umueri is a time to appreciate God for his blessings and for bountiful harvest.
Speaking, some of the Umueri Royal cabinet members, High Chiefs Jekwu Anikpeh who is also the chairman of 2025 iwa ji planning committee, Ikem Nwafor and Dr. Egbuna Okechi stated that this year’s iwa ji is unique as Umueri people joined hands together to ensure the success of the celebration, adding that it is a time for people of Umueri to come together in joy to celebrate one another and appreciate their traditional ruler, Igwe Emeka.
Contributing, the palace secretary, Comrade Tochukwu Chidebelu, Dr. Sylvanus Onyeachulam, Chief Charles Ifediora and High Chief Sunday Eluemuno thanked God for oneness of purpose among the people of Umueri, saying that iwa ji is a significant event in Umueri in particular, and called on the youths to embrace the culture and traditions of their community to have something to teach the next generation.
