NZUKO OZO NDIGBO CELEBRATES IGBO HERITAGE WITH NEW YAM FESTIVAL IN ENUGU Ozo Chinedu Odunze Chukwu commends organisers, calls for preservation of Igbo cultural values ENUGU — The rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people was once again brought to the fore as Nzuko Ozo Ndigbo, Nigeria, celebrated its seventh annual New Yam Festival, popularly known as Iwaji/Iliji Ofuu, in Enugu State. The colourful celebration, held at Tribe by Veronica, Veronica Field, GRA, Enugu, attracted traditional rulers, members of the Ozo institution, community leaders, religious leaders, academics, professionals and other stakeholders who gathered to celebrate the harvest and reaffirm the importance of Igbo cultural values. The festival provided an opportunity for participants to celebrate the new yam harvest while showcasing the customs, traditions and social values that have continued to define Igbo society across generations. One of the major highlights of the occasion was the ceremonial cutting and eating of roasted new yam, a significant cultural practice symbolising thanksgiving for the harvest and the commencement of the new-yam eating season. The ceremony was complemented by colourful masquerade displays, traditional dances, music and other cultural performances, creating an atmosphere that reflected the richness and diversity of Igbo culture. OZO CHINEDU ODUNZE CHUKWU SPEAKS TO DE ACCOLADE Speaking to De Accolade Magazine during the celebration, one of the distinguished Ozo members in attendance, Ozo Chinedu Odunze Chukwu (Ozo Nwajugo la Achi), described the festival as an important platform for promoting Igbo unity, cultural identity and the preservation of traditional values. Ozo Chukwu commended Nzuko Ozo Ndigbo for sustaining the annual celebration and creating an avenue for members of the Ozo institution and other stakeholders to come together in the spirit of brotherhood. He noted that cultural festivals such as the New Yam Festival go beyond entertainment, stressing that they provide an opportunity for the younger generation to understand and appreciate the traditions handed down by their forefathers. According to him, the continued celebration of Igbo festivals is important at a time when modern influences are rapidly changing the lifestyles and values of young people. Ozo Chukwu also emphasised the importance of passing the positive values associated with the Ozo institution from one generation to another, particularly values relating to integrity, respect, responsibility, truthfulness, community service and peaceful coexistence. He expressed appreciation to the organisers, traditional institutions, guests and participants for contributing to the success of the celebration. He further encouraged Ndi Igbo, particularly those in the diaspora, to remain connected to their cultural roots and ensure that Igbo language, customs, traditions and values are preserved for future generations. CALL FOR COMMON SEPTEMBER NEW YAM FESTIVAL Speaking at the festival, the National President and Onyeishiozo of Nzuko Ozo Ndigbo, Prof. Ike Oluka, called for the adoption of a common day in September for the celebration of the New Yam Festival across Igboland and among Igbo communities in the diaspora. According to him, a common date would strengthen cultural bonds among Igbo communities and give greater visibility to one of the most important festivals in Igbo society. The festival was held under the theme: “Ozo Philosophy and Ethical Leadership – Igbo Gift to the World.” Prof. Oluka explained that the Ozo philosophy is associated with values including truth, justice, dignity, communal responsibility, moral order and spiritual balance. He called on Ndi Igbo to transmit these values to younger generations while discouraging criminality, violence and the pursuit of quick wealth. PRESERVING THE OZO INSTITUTION Other speakers at the event also highlighted the importance of preserving traditional institutions and ensuring that positive cultural values remain relevant in contemporary society. Former Minister of Education, Prof. Elo Amucheazi, reflected on the evolution of Igbo customs and traditional institutions, while former Ezeagu Local Government Area Chairman and former Permanent Secretary, Ozo Ikechukwu Ferdinand Anikwe, called for the restoration and promotion of positive values associated with traditional institutions. The discussions reinforced the view that traditional institutions can continue to contribute to community development, moral education, peaceful coexistence and social cohesion. CULTURE, UNITY AND COMMUNITY The celebration eventually moved into a colourful display of Igbo culture, with traditional dances, masquerades, music and communal festivities providing entertainment for guests and participants. For many of those present, however, the significance of the event went beyond the ceremonial eating of new yam. It provided a platform for cultural transmission, inter-generational interaction and community bonding, while reminding participants of the importance of preserving the identity and values of the Igbo people. The festival also provided an opportunity for members of the Ozo institution from different communities to interact, strengthen relationships and celebrate their shared cultural heritage. As the event came to a close, the message from the organisers and participants remained clear: Igbo culture can remain relevant in the modern world when its positive values are consciously preserved, practised and transmitted to younger generations. The organisers said the annual Iwaji/Iliji Ofuu Festival would continue to serve as a platform for promoting Igbo cultural heritage, preserving traditional values, encouraging cultural integration and strengthening unity among Igbo communities in Nigeria and the diaspora.