Mr. Kenneth Ifeakandu, a farmer from Okofia village Obeledu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, has won five hundred thousand Naira for harvesting 95 kg of yam in the community. Yam competition was part of the new yam festival for the 2024 edition of Obeledu’s new yam festival.
“The prize money is a morale booster to invest more into agriculture, I will expand my scope and return here next year by the grace of God with super huge harvests to show my gratitude to God,” Ifeakandu said said.
Earlier speaking, the President General (PG) of the Obeledu Progress Union, Engr. Ken Echendu said that agricultural show was deliberately built into the new yam festival to encourage people to go into farming.
“People have this impression that Anaocha has white land which is not fertile enough to support agriculture but we are changing that erroneous narrative.
“We are doing this to key into the administration of Governor Charles Soludo which has been encouraging people to go into farming. In Obeledu, we are encouraging our youths to go into agriculture,” he said.
He appreciated all the members of the Executive Council for their sacrifices towards making the community’s new yam festival a huge success.
Performing the traditional yam cutting to flag off the occasion, the Traditional Ruler of Obeledu, His Royal Highness, Igwe AC Oragwam (Ezeoranyelu III) thanked God for granting his community a bountiful harvest.
H.R.H. Igwe Oragwam urged Ndi-Obeledu and residents alike to continue to embrace peace which, according to him, is the bedrock for growth and development.
Ezeoranyelu III recalled with relish that yam competition which has gained international currency actually started in his community.
The Secretary of the Obeledu Media Department, Mr. Ikechukwu Okafor who is the Media Aide to the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka attributed the success of the occasion to the harmonious relationship existing between the Obeledu people.
“People are happy, farms and other endeavors of the people are doing well, an indication that God is with us, 2024 edition of Obeledu new yam festival is particularly unique because of the level of participation of the people,” he noted.
He pointed out that, to ensure that the tempo is sustained, fertilizers were distributed to farmers at the occasion in anticipation of bumper harvest next year and beyond.
Mr. Okafor applauded the Obeledu monarch for giving yams and cash to the less privileged persons in the eight villages that constitute the town in celebration of the new yam festival.
The media aide to the former Aviation Minister expressed optimism that the current Executive Council of Obeledu would take the community to the promised land.
He, however, appealed to all and sundry to continue to support the traditional ruler of the town and the leadership of Town Union.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Tonycollins Nwabuwanne who graced the occasion congratulated the entire people of the community for a successful outing.
He pointed out that he has continued to attend new yam festivals across the state to see how the communities are keying into the agricultural revolution of the administration of Governor Charles Soludo.
Mr Nwabuwanne said as a matter of fact that the Obeledu community has done so very well and would be supported by the government to do more in the area of agricultu
