The people of Obeagu community, in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State have disclaimed a purported new yam festival planned to hold in the community on the 27th of August, 2023.
Indigenes of the community said they woke up to learn of announcement by certain unauthorised persons to the effect that a new yam festival would hold on the said day.
While describing the announcement as deceptive, the leadership of the community urged the members of the public to discountenance same as antics of some desperate individuals.
This was contained in a statement made available to journalists, signed by Mr Benigunus Okechukwu, Chairman, Uhueze Obeagu Welfare Association, Engr Bathlomew Okeke Alukwu, Secretary; Mr Oliver Aniokete, Chairman, on behalf of Obuo Development Union and Mr Sunday Uzochukwu, Chairman, on behalf of Ogwuagbom Development Union.
The leaders declared that the news making the rounds in various radio stations and other media outlets that the Obeagu community in Awgu LGA, Enugu State would be celebrating her annual new yam festival on 27th August, 2023, at Igwebuike Primary School, Obeagu was not true.
The statement reads, “The leadership of Obeagu town has not authorised anyone or group of people to make any announcement regarding feasting and celebrating of the new yam festival in the community.
“The announcement is being made by unlawful individuals who have chosen to be violating the laws and constitution of the Obeagu community.
“They have decided to plunge the town into perpetual disunity and confusion. They don’t believe in rule of law or paying allegiance to the constitution of Obeagu community.
“The public should disregard the news because the group does not have the right to organise and host a new yam festival in Obeagu town.”
“It’s the same people who in their characteristic mannerism disobeyed and disregarded the directives of the honourable commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Enugu State, on 16th May, 2023, and went ahead to coronate Chief Sylvester Ojukwu Okolo as their traditional ruler on 20th May, 2023.
“The honourable commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Enugu State on 16th May 2023, issued order to the delegation of Obeagu people, led by the President-General, Ogbuefi Anslem Aniokete and the Secretary-General, Ogbuefi Fedinarnd Ejimofor to his office, that coronation of the traditional ruler of Obeagu should be shifted till further notice, but these unlawful individuals threw caution to the wind and disobeyed the directive.
“The Obeagu leadership is yet to fix a day for the celebration of the new yam festival in Obeagu town.
“The announcements being made in different media platforms regarding feasting and celebration of new yam should be ignored.
“Let it be known to the people of Enugu State that Chief Sylvester Ojukwu Okolo the man behind the announcement of the new yam festival is not the traditional ruler/king of Obeagu town because the leadership and people of Obeagu do not recognize him as one,” they further alleged in the statement.
