Igbos celebrate new yam festival in Kano, call for peace

The Igbo Community under his Royal Highness, Eze Ikechukwu Oliver Akpudo, yesterday in Kano, marked the new yam festival, the first of its kind in the state.

The festival, which was celebrated in a colourful style at the Igwe’s Palace, New Road, had in attendance, prominent and notable personalities from across the state.

Speaking at the occasion, Eze Akpudo said that, after consultations with his cabinet and other stakeholders, a decision was reached to introduce the new yam festival in the state as it is in the Igbo culture.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate the new yam festival in Kano as it is in our culture.

Since the introduction of the Eze Ndigbo in the state, nothing of this nature has ever been celebrated.

I decided to introduce this festival in Kano to revive our culture and remind our people that they are at home no matter where they find themselves”

Speaking to news men, Oliver called for unity among the various ethnic groups in the country and one strong Nigeria, as the only way the country can forge ahead despite secession calls by some persons in the country.

According to him, Nigerians must learn to love and live in peace with one another irrespective of ethnicity, religious background as well as political affiliations, and not to allow the suffering of the nation’s forefathers to be in vain.

He called on Igbos in the East calling for boycott in the forthcoming 2019 general elections to reconsider their stance stressing that, such calls will do no one any good, but rather,

plunge the nation into further crisis, that democratic means of tabling grievances should be adopted by those who bear any form of grudges.

“I am calling on our brothers in the East, to Learn to use democratic means of addressing grievances rather than being confrontational and calling for boycott in the forthcoming elections.

“Nigeria is our fatherland, and we must do everything possible to save it from activities of some persons who want to separate us for their own selfish gains”

He called on the Igbos in Kano to remain law abiding while going about their legitimate businesses and respect the laws, tradition and customs of their host community,

calling on all eligible voters in the Igbo Community to participate fully in the forthcoming general elections by voting credible persons who would bring about the desired changes Nigerians yearn for.

Furthermore, the Eze, called on Nigerians to use the October 1st period to pray for the progress of the nation and for those in authority to meet up to their responsibilities adding that, for the leaders to succeed, prayers and support must be offered by all for the good of the country.