ABS Holds Maiden New Yam Festival

By Abuchi Onwumelu

The Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) recently at its Corporate Headquarters, Awka, celebrated its new yam festival, the first of its kind in the history of the establishment.

The event attracted people from all walks of life, notable among whom were the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Chief C Don Adinuba; Managing Director of Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), Sir Jude Emecheta; the national president of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU); Chief Alex Onukwue; the traditional ruler of Nteje, Igwe Rowland Odegbo; traditional ruler of Awka, HRM Igwe Gibson Nwosu; the State Working Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by Sir Emma Ifesinachi; members of the state assembly; and government functionaries.

The colourful event which witnessed the traditional cutting and eating of the new yam by the MD/CEO of the ABS, Nze Uche Nworah, attracted different types of masquerades, cultural dance troupes, among others.

In their separate speeches, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C Don Adinuba; as well his Basic Education counterpart, Professor Kate Omenugha, noted that ABS had set a cultural standard which reflected the real identity of Ndigbo. They urged other outfits to emulate it.

The Anambra State Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Andrew Kumapayi, who was a guest on the occasion, pointed out the relationship between the significance of the Igbo culture and that of his people.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of Nteje and co-chairman of the ABS Board of Directors, Igwe Rowland Odegbo, who was the Royal Father of the Day, and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the establishment, Nze Uche Nworah, commended Governor Willie Obiano for setting the tone for cultural appreciation in Anambra State. The traditional ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu, who also attended the ceremony, performed the traditional breaking of the kola nut. While the various departments of the ABS paid homage to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Nworah cutting of the roast yam, musical performances, and cultural displays made the event memorable.