Skip to main content

Pomp, excitement as Vitel Wireless lights up New Yam in Anambra CEO tasks Indigenes on self help for community development

By Theo Rays 

It was a movement of pomp, excitement and carnival of some sort at Akanano village in the ancient town of Ogidi in Anambra State just as Vitel Wireless, the first Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) pulled the strength as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSO) to lights up the 2025 edition of the annual Akanano Ogidi New Yam festival with colourful activities and business opportunities. 

The event which attracted massive turn out as a carnival of sort was described as an ancient culture and tradition of Akanano Ogidi when the people settle down after harvesting their new yam, to relax and make merry and appreciate God after the tedious months of farming. In attendance were High Chiefs, Ndi Ichie Akanano, the women and the children including Umu Ada na Ndi Inyom (the daughters of the family and the wives) with assorted masquerades performing in turns and conviviality.
Our correspondent reports that the occasion which is known and called "Ili Iji Akanano, Ogidi New Yam Festival" was also used to launch a 10klm road drainage construction and installation of street light to boost development in the village. In his address, the Traditional Prime Minister of Akanano High Chief Engr Emeka Ken Nwabueze (Ajie Okpalla Ogidi) described the festival as a time when the people converge to appreciate the goodness of God following good harvests in the farm noting that Akanano which is the first born among the four quarters that make up the ancient town of Ogidi is doing well endowed to the glory of God

Admitting God's endorsements on the people repeatedly, the Vitel Wireless boss announced the launch of a dual project of 10klm road drainage construction and installation of street light to be embarked upon by the good people of Akanano on a self help basis adding that the dual project is to boost movement, security and night life needed to enhance the economy of the village. He donated N20million for the dual project and called on the people to appreciate the goodness of God by providing their widow's might into the dual project for completion in no distance time. 

According to him "Akanano has no land to sell nor borough pit for sand excavation, but the community is blessed with quality human resources who are doing well in their various walks of life.We are calling on our people at home and in the diaspora to leverage our resources by taking up a project that can transform our community into an industrial area with a boulevard to attract our youths and keep them out of crime and criminality", he opined.

In a remark, the traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Pharm. Alex Onyido, represented by the Onowu Ogidi (Traditional Prime Minister of Ogidi), High Chief Eddy Ndichie explained that Igwe Ogidi had heralded the celebration of the New Yam Festival in Ogidi when he blessed the New Yam for Ndi Ogidi which is usually followed by the consumption of the New Yam (Ili Ji ) by all the Quarters in Ogidi led by their Quarter Ministers according to the ancient culture of Ogidi. He prayed for long life and prosperity in good health for Ndi Akanano in particular and the entire good people of Ogidi in general.

In their separate remarks, the President, Akanano Central Executive Committee, Chief Ndubisi Akaobi, the Chairman of Ndi Ichie Ogidi, Chief Benjamin Obiechina, and the Chairman of the Youths, Mr. Ikechukwu Okonkwo paid tribute to High Chief Nwabueze for his forward looking approach in the development of Akanano Ogidi and assured that they will do their best to ensure that the project will be safeguarded.

Speaking on the sponsorship, the MD/Chief Operation Officer (COO) of Vitel Wireless Mr Chudi Nwabueze explained that the MVNO company deemed it good enough to be part of the festival and its grassroots gathering to start connecting urban and rural dwellers with its innovate goods and services in communication business hence the decision to sponsor the Akanano Ogidi New Yam festival.

The MD/COO said the Akanano festival provided the urban and rural dwellers like, farmers, traders, market women, teachers, local Church leaders and students among others in Akanano and its neighbourhood the opportunity to buy into the nationwide program of Vitel Wireless tagged "operation double your hustle" with several offers including opportunity to onboard 3,000 entrepreneurs, distributors and agents nationwide within a short period.

Other highlights of the festival is cutting and eating of the new yam with oil bean source, homages to High Chief Nwabueze by different groups, cultural display of masquerades and dancing groups, free distribution of Yam tubers to selected people and presentation of Award of Merritt and installation of the Chief host the Ajie Okpala Ogidi High Chief Nwabueze as the Grand Patron/Pillar of the House (Ide Ji Uno) of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Ogidi by the Parish Priest Rev Fr Dr Patrick Agba.

Popular Post

Tinubu Appoints Chioma Awuzie Substantive Rector, Fed Poly Oko

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.  Dr. Awuzie's appointment, which takes effect immediately for a five-year term, follows the recommendation of the Polytechnic's Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Dr. Barnabas Gemade, after a transparent and competitive selection process where she emerged as the leading candidate. Prior to her appointment, Awuzie, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry, was a distinguished Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Option) and also Director in-charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Projects in the Polytechnic.  Under her stewardship, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, witnessed unprecedented advancements in infrastructure and institutional transformation.  Her leadership facilitated monumental developments across the Polytechnic’s campuses in Oko, ...
Read more

#Watchvideo : SECURITY FORCES BURST THE CAMP OF UNKNOWN GUNMEN IN AKOKWA

Security Forces in the state through a coordinated intelligence report has bursted the camp of the unknown gunmen at Akokwa, Arondizuogu after a long gun duel which resulted to the death of some of the criminals and others arrested. These criminal elements have been known to be behind several attacks in the state such as the killing of police men in Mbaise, Aba Branch in Ehime Mbano, burning down of police stations, attack and attempted kidnapping of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, abduction of Miss. P.P. Johnson, a female soldier in Okigwe and recently the attack in Akokwa that left many dead. It is obvious that these daredevil gunmen have been perpetuating their evil plans unabated until yesterday when their camp was bursted by security agencies. This is another assurance that our security operatives are leaving no stone unturned in the fight against banditry and other related activities. While it has become obvious that the activities of these non state actors are politically motivate...
Read more

Tension In Uruagu Nnewi As Community Leaders Dare Soludo,Defy Court Order

The President of Uruagu-Nnewi Development Union, Chief Sunday Okoli aka Organizer, and the Obi of Uruagu-Nnewi community in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State, His Majesty Afamefuna Charles Obi, have swept Soludo's directive to the gutters, by reason of their suspension and subsequent dessolution of the leadership of the community's youth forum, led by Ejike Ifejiofor, and subsequent appointment of caretaker executive to pilot the affairs of youths in the community. The Anambra governor had, through a letter dated August 9, 2024, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Martin Agbili, warned the community leaders to stay any action regarding suspension of the Uruagu-Nnewi youth forum. The community had, through its PG, Chief Okoli, written to the Ministry of Youths Development, notifying the ministry of "immediate suspension" of the youth group over alleged insecurity in the area. But the ministry,...
Read more