Abia Government to provide tractors, yam seedlings and community-based support to boost agricultural production and position Ohafia as a major yam-producing centre
Abia State Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, has assured the people of Ohafia that electricity supply to the area would be restored within one week, while unveiling a government-backed agricultural initiative designed to boost yam production and strengthen food security across the ancient kingdom.
Emetu gave the assurances on Saturday, October 31, 2026, while representing Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, at the 2026 Iri Ji Ohamoha Ohafia (New Yam Festival), held at the Central School Playground, Elu Ohafia.
Addressing a large gathering of traditional rulers, political leaders, government officials, community stakeholders and Ohafia indigenes from within and outside Nigeria, the Deputy Governor commended the organisers for bringing the people together to celebrate their cultural heritage and the year’s harvest.
On the prolonged electricity outage in the area, Emetu said the state government was committed to resolving the challenge, assuring residents that the period of darkness would soon end.
“Take this to the bank: Ohafia will be lighted up. Within one week, electricity supply will be restored to the area. The days of darkness are over,” he declared.
He clarified that the gathering was strictly a cultural celebration and not a political campaign, pointing out that the campaign for the 2023 governorship election ended with the inauguration of the present administration on May 29, 2023.
The Deputy Governor also thanked the people of Ohafia for their continued support for Governor Otti and his administration, emphasising the importance of political understanding, unity and collective action in advancing the interests of the kingdom.
Turning to agriculture, Emetu expressed concern that Ohafia, despite its fertile land and rich agricultural heritage, still depended on yams purchased from neighbouring communities for its annual New Yam Festival.
He consequently announced a community-based yam production programme to be initiated by the Abia State Government in collaboration with Labour Party members, with the objective of ensuring that every community in Ohafia produces its own yams ahead of subsequent editions of the festival.
Under the initiative, each community’s traditional Ezie-Ji would receive support, while a committee would be established to coordinate implementation, supervise farming activities and monitor progress.
He further disclosed that the government would undertake land delineation and provide tractors to facilitate mechanised farming, improve access to farmland and encourage large-scale yam cultivation.
According to him, communities that distinguish themselves in yam production ahead of the 2027 celebration would receive awards as an incentive for healthy competition, agricultural enterprise and increased food production.
Emetu also announced that the distribution of yam seedlings to farmers would commence soon, expressing confidence that the programme would reposition Ohafia as a major yam-producing centre in Abia State.
“The time has come for Ohafia to take full advantage of its agricultural potential. We cannot continue to celebrate our New Yam Festival with yams brought from neighbouring communities when we have the land and the human resources to produce our own. Every community must rise to this responsibility. Government will provide the necessary support, including seedlings, tractors and a proper monitoring structure,” he said.
The Deputy Governor further conveyed Governor Otti’s commitment to the development of Ohafia, assuring residents that the administration would sustain its efforts towards improving infrastructure and living conditions across the area.
“Governor Alex Otti, my boss, asked me to tell you that he is solidly behind the people of Ohafia. His commitment to the development of this kingdom remains unwavering, and we will continue to work together to deliver meaningful development to our people,” Emetu stated.
Earlier, the Udumeze of Ohafia Ancient Kingdom and Chairman of the Ohafia Council of Monarchs, His Royal Paramountcy, Elder Ezie Awa Oji Udonsi, thanked God for the year’s bountiful harvest and commended farmers for their contributions to food production.
The monarch observed that this year’s festival was being celebrated with renewed joy and hope, noting that agricultural produce from the hinterlands was reaching markets in appreciable quantities and that roads leading to various communities had become more motorable.
He also expressed satisfaction with the prevailing peace in Ohafia despite the wider security challenges across the country, urging residents to sustain unity, love and cooperation for the overall development of the kingdom.
Elder Udonsi commended Deputy Governor Emetu for supporting meaningful projects and programmes in Ohafia since assuming office. He also appreciated the organising committee and other illustrious sons and daughters of the kingdom for their contributions to the successful celebration.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Sunny Mbila, Ugwumba Ohafia and Count of the Ohafia Ancient Kingdom, described Iri Ji Ohamoha as an important cultural institution that promotes unity, preserves the people’s heritage and provides an opportunity to thank God for a successful harvest.
He urged traditional rulers and community leaders to preserve the cultural values, hospitality and traditions inherited from their forefathers, while encouraging greater cooperation among the communities.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Ezieogo Mecha Ugbah Mecha, described the festival as the culmination of the month-long New Yam celebrations across the communities that make up the Ohafia Ancient Kingdom.
He explained that the event provided an opportunity for the people to showcase their cultural heritage through traditional dances, masquerades, indigenous cuisines and other cultural performances.
He also highlighted the traditional Iwa Ji, involving the sharing and eating of roasted new yam with palm oil and pepper sauce, as a significant feature of the festival, symbolising thanksgiving, hospitality and the people’s shared heritage.
The celebration featured colourful masquerade displays, traditional dances and performances by various cultural groups, alongside the traditional sharing and eating of roasted new yam.
Dignitaries at the event included the immediate past Deputy Governor of Abia State and former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, PhD; the member representing Ohafia/Arochukwu Federal Constituency, Hon. Chief Ibe Okwara Osonwa; the member representing Arochukwu State Constituency and Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Okoro; the member representing Ohafia South State Constituency, Hon. Chief Kalu Mba Nwoke; and the Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Elanya Ude Kalu.
Others included Chief Emeka Charles Kalu (ECK); Hon. Nicholas Ukwa; Chief Dr. Sam Anya; and the Brigade Commander, Nigerian Army, 14 Brigade Ohafia, Brigadier General A.M. Dikko, alongside other distinguished personalities.
The report is based on a statement issued by Sir Cyril Chukwudi Eke Mba, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Abia State.
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