By Akonasu Elijah GBEDOZIN Igwe Ochiora Moses Izuoba The Eze Ndigbo of Agemowo, Igwe Ochiora Moses Izuoba, on Sunday, September 20, 2026, c...
By Akonasu Elijah GBEDOZIN
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| Igwe Ochiora Moses Izuoba |
The Eze Ndigbo of Agemowo, Igwe Ochiora Moses Izuoba, on Sunday, September 20, 2026, celebrated the annual Eze-Ndigbo Iriji (New Yam) Festival at the Igwe Ochiora Royal Palace in Agemowo, Badagry, Lagos State. The colourful celebration brought together traditional rulers, Igbo chiefs, community leaders, dignitaries, friends and well-wishers from Agemowo, Badagry and other parts of Lagos State to honour the traditional institution and celebrate the richness of Igbo culture and heritage.
The Eze-Ndigbo Iriji Festival is an annual cultural celebration that provides an opportunity for the Igbo people to give thanks for the harvest while preserving and promoting their rich cultural traditions. The event in Agemowo featured cultural displays and traditional activities that reflected the values of unity, gratitude, communal harmony and respect for tradition. It also provided an avenue for members of the Igbo community and their host community to come together in an atmosphere of friendship and peaceful coexistence.
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| Cross section of High Chiefs of Agemowo kingdom |
Among the prominent personalities who graced the occasion was the Aholu of Agemowo, His Royal Highness Oba Solomon Egbenayon, who was ably represented by the Otun Oba of Agemowo Kingdom, High Chief Babatunde Tudonu. Also present was the Olori of Agemowo, Her Royal Highness Queen MaryAnn Solomon Egbenayon. Other distinguished guests included Chief Agoro Hosu, the Baale of Idi-Orogbo; Chief Bala Alli Baba Oba of Agemowo; Prince Bolanle Godonu, the Olori-Omoba of Agemowo; and Chief Akinyemi Da-Silva, the Amuludun of Agemowo Kingdom.
Speaking during the celebration, Eze Ochiora Moses Izuoba used the occasion to advocate continued peaceful coexistence between Igbo communities and their host communities in Agemowo, Badagry and Lagos State. He emphasised the importance of mutual respect, cooperation and understanding among different ethnic groups, noting that the cordial relationship between the Igbo and their host communities remains important to peace, social harmony and development. He further encouraged community leaders and residents to continue strengthening the bonds that unite them.
The celebration also attracted several notable Igbo chiefs and community leaders who came to identify with the Eze Ndigbo and celebrate the New Yam Festival. They included Ichie Chris Obagha Nwabuenyi, the Onowu of Agemowo Kingdom; Chief Osuji, the Igwuba I of Olorunda and Palace Secretary; Ichie Anthony Ajoku; Chief Anthony Obichukwu; and many others. Their presence added colour and significance to the occasion, while demonstrating the importance attached to the preservation of Igbo culture and traditional institutions.
In conclusion, the 2026 Eze-Ndigbo Iriji Festival in Agemowo was not only a celebration of the new yam and Igbo cultural heritage but also a gathering that promoted unity, friendship and peaceful coexistence. The successful celebration under the leadership of Igwe Ochiora Moses Izuoba reaffirmed the importance of cultural festivals in bringing communities together and preserving traditions for future generations. The event ended on a note of appreciation, with participants celebrating the harvest and expressing their commitment to sustaining the peaceful relationship between the Igbo community and their host communities in Agemowo, Badagry and Lagos State.
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