From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The annual Afiaolu Nnewi festival has once again received a booster from Life Beer which boldly spiced the 2025 edition with Innovations.
The closing ceremony of action-packed, Life Beer empowered occasion held at the popular Nkwo Nnewi Triangle, which can be described as the center of the industrial town.
The Afiolu Nnewi which actually commenced on Wednesday and came to a glorious climax on Saturday saw Life Continental Lager Beer, celebrating resilience, ambition, and the unstoppable drive of Ndigbo.
Some of innovations introduced into the annual yam festival made the 2025 Afiaolu Nnewi an unforgettable experience for the teeming populace who witnessed the four day occasion.
Declaring the closing ceremony open, HRH, Igwe Dr Kenneth Orizu 111 represented by the Crown Prince, Dr Obianefo Orizu, thanked God for a very successful festival.
He thanked God for the bumper harvest experienced by farmers in the 2025 harvest season.
Speaking at the occasion, the President General (PG) of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi, Prince Jude Osumuo appreciated all the individuals and organizations that made the event very special for Nnewi people and residents alike.
Prince Osumuo singled out Life Beer out for special recognition for championing the special innovations noticeable during the celebration.
The Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, represented by the Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Don Onyenji expressed pleasant surprise at the turn of events at the festival.
He noted that the bold participation of Life Continental Lager Beer has elevated the cultural festival to an enviable status of a tourist attraction.
Onyenji pointed out that the massive attendance of people from several parts of the world can attest to his position.
The Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sarah Agha expressed joy that the people of Nnewi, represented by HRH, Igwe KON Orizu III warmly welcomed Life Continental Lager Beer to the industrial town of Nnewi.
She thanked all and sundry who graced the 2025 Afiaolu Nnewi festival with special reference to Igwe KON Orizu III who offered Life Beer the opportunity to participate in the annual festival.
Sarah Agha added that the similarities in the brand proposition of Life Continental Lager Beer and the Nnewi people would always be a source of encouragement for the brand to continually identify with Ndigbo, Ndi-Anambra and especially Ndi-Nnewi
She expressed optimism that the mutually rewarding relationship between Life Continental Lager Beer and Ndi-Nnewi will continue and even be bigger in years ahead.
Some of the prominent personalities who featured in the 2025 Afiolu Nnewi closing ceremony included; Chief Dr Cletus Ibeto(Omenkannaya) Sen Emma Nwachukwu (Onodugo), the Senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone in the Senate, the Labor Party Governorship candidate, Chief Dr George Moghalu, Chief Godwin Agbasimelo (Oga Ndi Oga) Mayor Nnewi North LGA, Hon Echezona Anazodo, Chief Dan Uchendu, Chief Pat Ubajiaka (Ike Nnewi) former National Publicity Secretary of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Barr Olisa Metu, and others too numerous to mention.
Some of the highlights of the event were traditional wrestling competition won by Uruagu quarter, cooking competition using yam as the major dish, cutting of the festival cake, and huge masquerade display.
Participants also went home with mouth watering Souvenirs from the sponsor of the festival, Life Continental Lager Beer.