A culture custodian and illustrious son of Ogbodiukwu in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, Chief Dr Smart Nwokorie, has called on Federal and State government to invest in the development of rural areas for the promotion of Agriculture.
The “Eziokwu bu Ndu” and Proprietor of Standard International Secondary Schools Umuahia, in an interview with the press during the 2023 Iriji festival of Ekenobizi federated, held at Ahia Nkwokwerenweze,Umuopara, said the best way to sustain the celebration of the new year festival, is for more investment to be made in the development of rural areas, which will in turn help in the development of Agriculture and thereby increase the planting of yam.
Chief Dr Smart Nwokorie
According to him, the main stay of rural dwellers is Agriculture, stating that over the years due to under development of rural areas, there have been massive migration of rural dwellers to urban centers in search of greener pastures,abandoning their main occupation of farming.
He said this singular act has affected the production of agricultural products, particularly the yam, thereby diminishing the interest to celebrate the new yam festival (Iriji). He added that if bulk investment is made to develop Agriculture in the rural area, a large number of people would be attracted to farming, and in turn, reduce the rate farmlands derelict.
Chief Nwokorie further stated that government should make regular supply of farm inputs to farmers, liaise with Research institutes and other sectors to aid the improvement of Agriculture.
Giving details about the Iriji festival and its significance, Chief Nwokorie disclosed that the festival has transcended from being a regional festival to an international one, that is celebrated round the globe, with its emphasis on appreciating God for His blessings.
He stated that the annual Iriji festival,heralds the consumption of yam in Igbo land,stressing that the celebration is done communally, providing the people the opportunity for togetherness and unity of purpose.
The Culture icon,however, revealed that the festival is the identity of the Igbo, lamenting that though our early fathers did not bequeath the culture properly, which he said contributed to its extinction, maintained that everything is being done to revive it.
Part of the activities to revive the culture is the annual celebration of the festival, the encouragement of the planting of yam and as well, the removal of any fetish inclination from the festival.
“We are jettisoning the unwanted, clandestine and fetish activities associated with the Iriji festival,making it centralized for its acceptability.We discovered that most people abandoned this culture over the years because they perceive it as fetish.
“Due to this misconception, people shy away from the cultivation of yam so that they won’t be involved in the ‘fetish’ celebration.
“We are here to correct these misconceptions, so we can get people back to appreciate and celebrate this culture. Part of this, was why a minister of God was invited today to declare the festival open and as well, pray for the land for more bountiful harvest”.
The Iriji festival is all about celebrating the supremacy of God and also showcasing the blessings of God.
“Yam is being celebrated because it’s a major source of energy and without energy you cannot carry out a given task.Therefore, it’s very important we cultivate it and also celebrate what we have cultivated”.
He further lamented how the cultural new yam festival has been brought down to a social new yam festival, where another party cultivates yam and another celebrates it,insisting that part of reviving the festival is the fight to promote cultural new yam festival, where the party that cultivates the yam,also celebrates with the yam cultivated.
Meanwhile, Chief Nwokorie, disclosed that by next year, he would be distributing tubers of yam to people to encourage them go into the cultivation of yam, pointing that the government should encourage the production of yams in large quantity, basically for exportation, which he added would not only attract more people into agriculture but would generate revenue and as well,improve other developmental indices.
Recall that Chief Dr Smart Nwokorie, could be described as a “Pillar of Culture”, who has chaired several workshops on promoting cultural practices. Recently he was bestowed with the award of Cultural Ambassador from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and was also conferred with the Chieftaincy title of Eziokwu bu ndu 1, by the traditional rulers from Nkporo and his Dim na Opara Ogbodiukwu community, Umuopara.
He is a renowned culture custodian who has devoted time and resources in making sure most of Igbo cultures do not go on extinction. Little wonder, his chairmanship aspiration for the Umuopara Council of Chiefs,an election coming up on the 27th of November,2023.
