By Ifeoma Ejiofor
The sleepy town of Azia in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State came alive on Thursday as HRH Igwe Francis U. Chikezie (Ugodinaobi), Igwe Azia II, celebrated his first New Yam Festival in a colourful ceremony.
The palace of Igwe Chikezie began receiving visitors who trooped in large numbers from different parts of Anambra State and beyond to be part of the epoch-making celebration.
The several layers of security mounted at strategic points across the town by military and police personnel, as well as local vigilante operatives, added to the significance of the event.
The programme commenced with an interdenominational service attended by representatives of the Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal churches.
Delivering the sermon, the Parish Priest of Mary the Queen Parish, Azia, Very Rev. Fr. Cyril Onwugbueze, said that when a righteous person is in power, the people naturally rejoice.
Very Rev. Fr. Onwugbueze admonished those in attendance to always put God first in all their undertakings. He also led a prayer session for Igwe Chikezie and members of his cabinet, asking God to grant them wisdom and direction as they pilot the affairs of Azia Kingdom.
Immediately after the service, Igwe Ugodinaobi performed the symbolic breaking of the yam, marking the commencement of the 2026 New Yam Festival amid loud ovation from the crowd.
The highly travelled and cerebral monarch also offered prayers for the people and residents of Azia, praying particularly for peace, prosperous businesses, successful careers for civil servants and the continued progress of Azia Kingdom.
The occasion became even more vibrant with the presence of several prominent politicians believed to be positioning themselves for various offices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among those who graced the occasion was the Chief Executive Officer of Seahorse Lubricant Industries Ltd., Chief Ebuka Onukwo, an NDC senatorial candidate for Anambra South.
Several other political aspirants and candidates from different political parties also turned up to celebrate with Igwe Ugodinaobi on the occasion of his first New Yam Festival on the throne.
A native of Azia, Mr Chikamso Ike, an Onitsha-based businessman, described the influx of high-profile personalities into the community as unprecedented. He said the turnout was a demonstration of Igwe Francis Chikezie’s capacity and reach.
The celebration, which continued into the night, attracted dignitaries including special representatives from Igwe Gibson Nwosu, the traditional ruler of Awka, the capital city; the Obi of Obiofia in Nnewichi-Nnewi; Prof. Denise Nnana; numerous women’s groups; Chief Gabriel Chike Okafor; and Ichie Hyginus Ndukaku.
Igwe Ugodinaobi’s siblings, led by Mr Chigozie Ifeanyi, also made a special appearance at the epoch-making celebration.
The colourful event ended on a high note, with residents and guests celebrating the monarch and the cultural heritage of Azia Kingdom.