Iri Ji Ofuji 2025: A Celebration of Culture, Gratitude, and Community Unity
Preparations are in full swing for the 2025 edition of the Iri Ji Ofuji Festival, an annual cultural celebration founded by Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyasọ, popularly known as the Obi Bende, Ikenga Bende, Ugwu Igbere Ebiri 1, and Nwoke Eji Aga Mba. A distinguished philanthropist and entrepreneur, Dr. Anyasọ is the Chairman and Founder of the CAADES Group and the Chima Anyasọ Foundation.
Held in his hometown of Ala Igbere in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, the festival coincides with his birthday and serves as a tribute to Igbo heritage through the celebration of Iri Ji Ọhụ—the traditional New Yam Festival.
Now in its fourth edition since its inception in 2022, Iri Ji Ofuji has grown into a major cultural event in Abia State. Each year, the celebration embraces a unique theme that reflects gratitude, promotes unity, and showcases the vibrant spirit of the Igbo people.
The 2025 edition, scheduled to run from September 23 to 27, will carry the theme:
“Celebration of Two Decades of Bountiful Harvest: The Role of Education and Training in Cultivating the Next Generation of Wealth Creators.”
This year’s theme underscores the importance of education and empowerment in shaping a prosperous future for younger generations, a vision Dr. Anyasọ holds dear.
The festival is expected to resonate far beyond Igbere, reaching across all three Senatorial Zones of Abia State Abia North, Abia Central, and Abia South and engaging all 13 wards of the Bende Federal Constituency.
With the guiding message #OfujiCares, Iri Ji Ofuji 2025 promises to be a grand convergence of culture, community, and celebration. It is not only a thanksgiving for the harvest but also a platform for inspiring hope, unity, and shared prosperity across Abia State.
