The 2026 New Yam Festival of Izhia Kingdom in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State witnessed a historic milestone on Monday as the kingdom's five constituent communities came together to celebrate the cultural festival in unity for the first time, with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Chief Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, unveiling a development-driven agenda for the area.
Addressing traditional rulers, community leaders, political stakeholders and hundreds of indigenes at the colourful event, Ogalagu reaffirmed his commitment to preserving the rich cultural heritage of Izhia Kingdom while attracting massive infrastructural development to improve the living standards of the people.
He described the New Yam Festival as a sacred celebration of gratitude to God and the ancestors, noting that the gathering symbolised a renewed spirit of unity, peace and collective progress among the people of Izhia.
According to him, the successful unification of the festival demonstrated that the kingdom had embraced harmony and was prepared to pursue sustainable development through collective action.
"This is an occasion to express our joy and appreciation to God and our ancestors. It also demonstrates our solidarity in preserving our culture and tradition. The presence of our traditional rulers, chiefs and sons and daughters from all the communities of Izhia Kingdom is a clear indication that our people are united," Ogalagu said.
He pledged continued support for programmes that would preserve the cultural identity of the people while facilitating the execution of critical infrastructure projects across the constituency.
Former Ebonyi State Commissioner for Education, Prince Ndubuisi Chibueze Agbo, described the celebration as a cultural renaissance aimed at preserving the identity and traditions of the Izhia people.
Agbo noted that yam occupies a unique place in Igbo culture, stressing that the New Yam Festival remained one of the most significant traditional celebrations in the kingdom.
"Our culture is timeless. If we fail to pass it on to the next generation, we will lose our identity. This festival represents a cultural revival and a commitment to ensuring that our traditions remain alive for generations yet unborn," he said.
Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Sunday Ituma, said the event marked a new chapter in the history of Izhia Kingdom, explaining that previous New Yam celebrations were held separately by individual communities.
"This is the first time all the five communities in Izhia have come together to celebrate the New Yam Festival as one people. We have realised that there is strength in unity, and today we celebrate not only the king of crops but also the beginning of our traditional new year," Ituma stated.
The Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Mr. Ikechukwu Odono, commended the people for embracing peace and unity, describing the development as a major step towards strengthening harmony and peaceful coexistence across the kingdom.
He expressed satisfaction that the era of separate celebrations had ended, urging the people to sustain the spirit of togetherness for the overall development of the area.
Also speaking, Comrade Ejike James Agbo said the gathering had demonstrated that political differences could not divide the people of Izhia.
"We are gathered to celebrate our cultural heritage. Politics cannot tear us apart, and that is why sons and daughters of Izhia are here today in one accord to celebrate our New Yam Festival," he said.
In his remarks, Mr. Kevin Ituma described the event as a long-awaited reunion after years of interruption in the kingdom-wide celebration, expressing delight that the people had resolved their differences and reunited in the interest of peace, culture and development.
The festival featured colourful traditional dances, cultural displays, masquerade performances and the presentation of newly harvested yams, drawing traditional rulers, community leaders, political stakeholders and indigenes from the five communities that make up Izhia Kingdom.
Victor Nwegede
