Igwe Nnamoshimiri II and the Akpo Development Association lead the celebration, highlighting the importance of tradition and unity.
Aguata News Media, August 18, 2024
Akpo Community in Aguata LGA held its 2024 New Yam Ceremony, a culturally rich event that united the six villages of the community: Agbaelu, Uhualla, Ogbo, Umueze, Amaife, and Udo. The celebration, spanning three days from August 15 to 17, 2024, showcased the vibrant traditions and communal spirit of the Akpo people under the leadership of HRH Igwe Arc. Jonathan Obiajulu Okpalaezecha (Nnamoshimiri II) and the Akpo Development Association (ADA), led by Nze Henry Dim, the President General.
The festivities began on August 15 with the "Ihuto Ji," where the traditional ruler, accompanied by his Igwe-in-Council, marked the start of the New Yam Festival. This phase, which is deeply rooted in Akpo's cultural heritage, symbolizes the official blessing of the yam harvest by the Igwe. HRH Igwe Okpalaezecha emphasized the importance of peace, prosperity, and bountiful harvests in his prayers for the community.
On August 16, the celebration moved to the six villages of Akpo, where each village held its unique yam ceremony, reinforcing the sense of unity and cultural pride. The synchronization of events across the community highlighted the strong bond among the villages and their shared commitment to preserving Akpo's heritage.
The grand finale, known as "Izu Nkwo," took place on August 17 at Amaeze, the central event arena of Akpo. The ceremony was marked by colorful displays of cultural performances, including the traditional "Igba Nkwa" dance, which saw age grades and "Nze n' Ozo" titleholders rhythmically moving to the beats of the special "Nkwa" drum. This dance, deeply significant to the people of Akpo, served as a platform for community members to pay homage to their traditional ruler.
A notable feature of the event was the close synergy between HRH Igwe Arc. Jonathan Okpalaezecha and the Akpo Development Association, led by President General Nze Henry Dim. Their collaboration ensured the success of the ceremony, with both leaders playing pivotal roles in organizing the event and ensuring the participation of all segments of the community.
In his goodwill message, HRH Igwe Okpalaezecha expressed his gratitude to the people of Akpo for their unwavering support and participation in the festival. He praised the community's resilience and unity, urging them to continue working together for the development of Akpo.
Nze Henry Dim, President General of ADA, expressed his gratitude to the community for their remarkable turnout despite the adverse weather. He commended the people for their active involvement, resilience and dedication in the celebration. He acknowledged the efforts of the age grades, village heads in mobilizing their members and emphasized the importance of communal harmony in achieving the community's goals. Nze Dim assured the people that the Akpo Development Association would continue to work closely with the traditional leadership to drive the community's progress, and developmental goals.
The 2024 New Yam Ceremony in Akpo was a testament to the enduring cultural heritage of the community and the strong leadership of both HRH Igwe Okpalaezecha and Nze Henry Dim. With the successful conclusion of the Izu Nkwo festival, the people of Akpo look forward to a year of peace, prosperity, and continued unity. Special guests, including members of the Aguata Traditional Royal Council, graced the occasion, which was celebrated with feasting, dancing, and the traditional breaking of kola nuts.

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