Igwe Oranu Chidume of Omor Kingdom in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, says meaningful and sustainable development can only be actualised in a society with peaceful atmosphere.
Chidume, who made the assertion during the 2021 New Yam Festival in his community on Saturday, also urged the indigenes and communities to shun violence and embrace peaceful coexistence.
He made the call against the backdrop of the recent crisis in the community where some Omor people were kidnapped and a former Chief Judge of the state was attacked.
“We all need to know that it is only when we love one another and ensure peaceful coexistence in the entire communities that government can achieve sustainable development in the state.
“All hands must be on deck to achieve lasting peace. That is the only way to achieve the needed development and restore societal peace.
“We are happy the area is calm. Normalcy has returned to the entire Ayamelum Local Government. We achieved this because the state government intervened by setting up a panel to look into the matter.
“And I’m hopeful that the panel will do justice to the whole presentation from Omor and Anaku communities,” Chidume said.
The traditional ruler said that the New Yam festival was an age-long tradition that ushered in the eating of new yam for the year.
According to him, yam is considered the most important of all crops in Igbo tradition.
“Omor kingdom believes in agriculture, and we cultivate yams. So, this sort of celebration is a way of telling our people to go ahead and start eating new yam,” he said.
Also speaking, a former Chief Judge of Anambra State, retired Justice Paul Obidigwe, also a member of the Supreme Council of Omor Kingdom, said the celebration was also a period of unification.
“The new yam festival is a huge celebration to express gratitude, joy and unite communities as well as other neighboring kingdoms but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration is in low key.
In his remarks, Chief Julius Ofodile, Secretary General, Omor Royal’s Cabinet, said that the new yam festival also provides heritage of dances, feasts and renewal of kinship as well as community alliances.
(NAN)
