..As he Celebrates His 9th New Yam Festival on Uke Throne
By Uzo Ugwunze
Igwe Surv. Charles Agbala of Uke in Idemili North LGA, Anambra State has urged Ndi Anambra to embrace Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s 1 Youth 2 skills scheme which has given employment to thousands of Anambra youths.
Speaking at his palace during his 9th Iwa ji/ New Yam Festival on the throne of Uke ancient kingdom the monarch observed that having one source of income, skill or business was no longer enough to meet up with the myriads of responsibilities in the present Nigerian ailing economy.
He further advised Igbos to go back to farming which has also been exemplified by His Excellency and His wife Dr. Nonye Soludo through the ongoing ‘Own your own garden initiative’ no matter your profession, vocation or occupation.
“Our parents were known for owning their own garden as we were growing up before the drive for trading or White collar jobs came.
“The genesis of iwa- ji started because everyone had a garden. Yam being the king of crops was celebrated to thank God for a successful harvest and farming season believing that showing such appreciation would yield bumper harvests in the next planting season.
“People complain of yam theft after cultivating at their farmland located at the outskirts of the community but their is a new method of getting fertile soil from any part of the state which one can put in sacks or empty cement bags to plant yams in one’s compound. Farming will minimize hunger. Governor Soludo has his own personal garden and his wife has her own garden too. Why should every one of us not have same?
“I also urge youths to abstain from hard drugs, social vices and criminal idolatry which many youths indulge in the quest to amass quick wealth because there are repercussions in the long run.
“Fetishism and using human beings for ritual money is not part of our tradition. Those claiming to be male or female native doctors should be wary. Make sure you get registered with the state government so that we can know your area of specialization,” said Igwe Agbala.
Igwe Surv Agbala also called on Ndi Anambra to support the government of Governor Chukwuma Soludo saying that he has accomplished many feats and deserves to go for a second term in office to enable him finish his ongoing projects and programs.
He told Uke people to join politics so that their community can benefit more dividends of democracy. ” If you leave politics for the bad eggs or loafers it will affect everyone but people of integrity should not shy away but they can get into politics and bring desirable positive changes in the society.
Moreover, President General of Uke, Chief Peter Onyejegbu thanked God for providing for Uke Traditional Ruler and the entire community the resources to celebrate the New Yam for the 9th year of Igwe Surv.Charles Agbala asking God to keep blessing all Uke people especially those willing to use their wealth to contribute to the development of their community.
Royal Fathers present to felicitate with Uke monarch include, the Chairman Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Eze Iweka III of Obosi Ukwalla kingdom) with His wife Igwe Nwanyi Kosisochukwu Iweka and his cabinet members, His Majesty Igwe Barr. Dr. Emeka Onuorah and his wife Ocheze Amaka Onuorah, Igwe Dr. Emeka Iluno of Ifitedunu, Igwe Mac Anthony Okonkwo of Alor, Igwe A. C. Oragwam of Obeledu.
Other Dignitaries present include Chief Joseph Ezeh (Udemba Uke), Chief Surv. Donatus Enendu (Dikeora Uke), Chief Dr. Edwin Emegoakor (Odu Uke), Chief Tochukwku Okeke (Ichie Ozioma 1 of Uke), Chief Chuke Agbala (Ichie Okpala), Chief Pauly Onwurah Ilongwo ( Okaibeya Okammadu of Ezema Uke), Chief Chukwunonso Okeke (Akuchukwu Mopol), Chief Pius Obum Nkechukwu( Chukwuakpoke of Nkwele Uke), Uke Development Union Member,Chief Vincent Uzoma Ezeudoka of Oba Uke among others.
They all in their separate speeches eulogized the reign of Igwe Surv Charles Agbala praying God to keep him on throne in good health, wisdom, long life and prosperity. They also urged every son and daughter of Uke at home and in diaspora to keep supporting the reign of Igwe Surv Charles Agbala Eze Oranyelu Uke pleading with them to always come home and invest in projects that would benefit Uke people and community.
