Oche leads as Agila, Igumale celebrate unprecedented New Yam Festival

The 2020 new yam festival locally styled ujor in Agila and Igumale communities of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State was marked in unprecedented style yesterday.

Inspired by the commitment and determination of James Oche, the Executive Chairman to heighten socio cultural events as a conscious step to uniting and advancing the development of the indigenous people, the 2020 ujor was marked in fashion and style and attended by people across divergent walks of life.

The age long traditional festival of celebrating the harvest season particularly the new yams recounts the ancient warfare escapades of the true Idoma man. This year’s event held simultaneously in Agila and Igumale was a beehive of activities that cut across drama, dance and story telling as well as traditional legislation.

Speaking at the separate but synonymous events, James Oche sued for unity, peace and oneness as being the hallmark and essence of the festival. He said beyond yams, the festival reechoed the the unity of the Ado man and urged the people to sustain same.

Renowned dignitaries who graced the event among others were Chief Mrs Elvis Attah, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Benue State, Chief Patrick Ogbu Former NTA Chairman, Engr. Okpozu of the Shell SPDC to Menton but a few. Elder Statesmen, political and opinion leaders and stakeholders were also in attendance.

Speaking in Agila, the Acting District Head of Agila, Chief Michael Agbese reiterated the importance of the annual ritual as one of the deep cultural engagements that reverberated the unbreakable heritage of the people. He also commended the Chairman for the unprecedented improvement on the festival. In Igumale, Enyi Otsapa who represented the Otsapa Igumale, Chief Joseph Onazi and the Ozoko Igumale Chief Adadu Otse all praised the Chairman and tasked the people on the need for oneness.

James Oche who was accompanied by his wife Blessing Ene Oche also had on his entourage members of the Ado Legislative Council to wit; the Speaker Emmanuel Ajagbo, the Deputy Speaker Friday Aduadu, the Majority Leader Sunday Oche and the Chief Whip as well aides of the chairman and other members of the Ado Executive Council.