By Ken Nwafor
The sleepy town of Azia in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra
State came alive on Thursday as HRH Igwe Francis U. Chikezie (Ugodinaobi), Igwe
Azia II, celebrated his first New Yam Festival in a colourful ceremony.
The palace of Igwe Chikezie began receiving visitors who trooped in large
numbers from different parts of Anambra State and beyond to be part of the
epoch-making celebration.
The several layers of security mounted at strategic points across the town by
military and police personnel, as well as local vigilante operatives, added to
the significance of the event.
The programme commenced with an interdenominational service attended by
representatives of the Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal churches.
Delivering the sermon, the Parish Priest of Mary the Queen Parish, Azia, Very
Rev. Fr. Cyril Onwugbueze, said that when a righteous person is in power, the
people naturally rejoice.
Very Rev. Fr. Onwugbueze admonished those in attendance to always put God first
in all their undertakings. He also led a prayer session for Igwe Chikezie and
members of his cabinet, asking God to grant them wisdom and direction as they
pilot the affairs of Azia Kingdom.
Immediately after the service, Igwe Ugodinaobi performed the symbolic breaking
of the yam, marking the commencement of the 2026 New Yam Festival amid loud
ovation from the crowd.
The highly travelled and cerebral monarch also offered prayers for the people
and residents of Azia, praying particularly for peace, prosperous businesses,
successful careers for civil servants and the continued progress of Azia
Kingdom.
The occasion became even more vibrant with the presence of several prominent
politicians believed to be positioning themselves for various offices ahead of the
2027 general elections.
Among those who graced the occasion was the Chief Executive Officer of Seahorse
Lubricant Industries Ltd., Chief Ebuka Onukwo, an NDC senatorial candidate for
Anambra South.
Several other political aspirants and candidates from different political
parties also turned up to celebrate with Igwe Ugodinaobi on the occasion of his
first New Yam Festival on the throne.
A native of Azia, Mr Chikamso Ike, an Onitsha-based businessman, described the
influx of high-profile personalities into the community as unprecedented. He
said the turnout was a demonstration of Igwe Francis Chikezie's capacity and
reach.
The celebration, which continued into the night, attracted dignitaries
including special representatives from Igwe Gibson Nwosu, the traditional ruler
of Awka, the capital city; the Obi of Obiofia in Nnewichi-Nnewi; Prof. Denise
Nnana; numerous women's groups; Chief Gabriel Chike Okafor; and Ichie Hyginus
Ndukaku.
Igwe Ugodinaobi's siblings, led by Mr Chigozie Ifeanyi, also made a special
appearance at the epoch-making celebration.
The colourful event ended on a high note, with residents and guests celebrating
the monarch and the cultural heritage of Azia Kingdom.
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