By Favour Goodness
Traditional Ruler of Omor Kingdom in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra state, Igwe Oranu Chidume has urged the indigenes and communities to shun violence and embrace peaceful coexistence.
Loading ...Igwe Chidume who made the assertion during the 2021 New Yam Festival in his community on Saturday, said that meaningful and sustainable development could only be actualised in the society in an atmosphere of peace.
The call followed recent crisis in the community where some Omor people were kidnapped and a former Chief Judge of the state was attacked.
He said, “We all need to know that it is only when we love one another and ensure peaceful coexistence in the entire communities that government can achieve sustainable development in the state.
“All hands must be on deck to achieve a lasting peace. That is the only way to achieve the needed development and restore societal peace.
.”We are happy the area is calm, normalcy has returned to the entire Ayamelum Local Government. We achieved this because the state government intervened by setting up a panel to look into the matter.
“I’m hopeful that the panel will do justice to the whole presentation from Omor and Anaku communities.”
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On the New Yam festival of the community, the Royal father said that the festival was an age-long tradition that ushered in the eating of new yam for the year.
He described yam as the most important of all crops in Igbo tradition.
“Omor kingdom believes in Agriculture, and we cultivate yams. So this sort of celebration is a way of telling our people to go ahead and start eating new yam,” he said.
Also speaking, a former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Paul Obidigwe (Rtd), who is also a member of the Supreme Council of Omor kingdom, said the celebration was also a period of unification.
“The new yam festival is a huge celebration to express gratitude, joy and unite communities as well as other neighboring kingdoms but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration is in low key,” he added.
In his remarks, Secretary General, Omor Royal’s Cabinet, Chief Julius Ofodile said the new yam festival also provided heritage of dances, feasting as well as renewal of kinship and community alliance.
