The Central Working Committee of the Iriji Mbaise New Yam Festival has reaffirmed that the annual cultural celebration is intended to promote the heritage, unity and traditions of the Mbaise people, warning against attempts to politicise the event.
The committee’s chairman, Chief Steve Onu, made the clarification during a briefing at the Ezuruezu Mbaise Civic Centre in Aboh Mbaise, Imo State, ahead of the festival scheduled for August.
Onu explained that Iriji Mbaise was established to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Mbaise nation, which comprises Ahiazu Mbaise, Ezinihitte Mbaise and Aboh Mbaise local government areas.
According to him, the festival provides an opportunity for sons and daughters of Mbaise, cultural organisations, stakeholders and visitors from within and outside the state to celebrate their shared identity and traditions.
He stressed that the event should not be viewed through a political lens, noting that its central purpose was to preserve cultural values and strengthen the bonds among the people.
Onu added that the celebration also offers a platform for discussions on peace, unity and the development of the Mbaise area.
A Celebration of Heritage and Unity
The committee chairman described Iriji Mbaise as an important cultural institution that brings people together regardless of their political affiliations.
He maintained that preserving the festival’s traditional character was essential to ensuring that future generations continued to appreciate their cultural roots.
The annual New Yam Festival marks the end of the farming season and the beginning of the harvest. It is traditionally associated with thanksgiving, abundance, communal solidarity and respect for the agricultural heritage of the Igbo people.
For the Mbaise community, the celebration also provides an opportunity to showcase traditional practices, cultural performances and the hospitality for which the area is known.
Aboh Mbaise Assures Organisers of Adequate Preparation
The Chairman of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Barrister Iheukwumere Alaribe, assured the committee that preparations were underway to ensure a successful celebration in the host community.
Alaribe said efforts were being made to improve roads and other infrastructure ahead of the event, while calling on stakeholders to support Ezuruezu Mbaise in promoting the cultural identity and development of the area.
He also acknowledged the support of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, towards the Mbaise community.
Call for Collective Support
The committee urged Mbaise indigenes, traditional institutions, cultural groups and other stakeholders to support the festival and protect its identity as a unifying cultural event.
It maintained that the celebration should provide an opportunity for the community to set aside political differences and focus on its shared heritage, peace and collective progress.
The organisers expressed confidence that the festival would continue to serve as a platform for cultural preservation, community engagement and the promotion of Mbaise traditions to a wider audience.
They reiterated that Iriji Mbaise belongs to the people and should remain a celebration of their common identity rather than a platform for partisan interests.
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