From Kenneth Udeh, Awka
The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Senator Uche Ekwunife, CON, was accorded a rare cultural honour on Saturday with the unveiling of her statue during the 2025 edition of the National New Yam Festival (Iri Ji Ndigbo) in Igbo-Ukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The festival, hosted during the weekend at the National Yam House in Etiti Village, unfolded in a display of colour, pageantry, and deep-rooted tradition.
This year’s celebration, themed “Showcasing the Best of Igbo Culture and Hospitality”, drew together traditional rulers, cultural custodians, political leaders, and members of the wider Igbo community.
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The event was presided over by the traditional ruler of Igbo-Ukwu, His Royal Highness, Igwe Alexander Ejikemeuwa Azike, the Idu III, who led proceedings that highlighted the cultural pride and unity embodied in the New Yam Festival.
The unveiling of Senator Ekwunife’s statue formed a central highlight of the festival, recognising her outstanding contributions to the Igbo-Ukwu community and beyond.
The honour was performed by Hon. Dr. Obi Asika (Ojinnaka), Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, who was represented by Chief Edozie Obiajulu, the Council’s Southeast Liaison Officer.
Speaking shortly after the unveiling, Senator Ekwunife described the recognition as one of the most humbling moments of her career and personal journey. She expressed gratitude to God, the Igbo-Ukwu monarch, his consort, and the entire community for finding her worthy of such an immortalisation.
“This is a profound honour, and I see it as both a blessing and a reminder that to whom much is given, much is expected,” she said.
The APC deputy governorship candidate reaffirmed her commitment to preserving Igbo cultural identity, warning against allowing modernisation to erode centuries-old values. She emphasised that the New Yam Festival remains more than a feast but rather a unifying emblem of Igbo resilience, unity, and identity.
“As the first titled woman in this historic town, I am pleased that the honour and respect accorded to me continue to flourish today,” she remarked. “I will work hand in hand with our Royal Father, His Royal Highness Igwe Alexander Ejikemeuwa Azike, to elevate this festival into an even more befitting, glamorous, and remarkable celebration in the years ahead.”
Beyond the unveiling, the festival showcased a variety of cultural displays, dances, and traditional rites that reflected the richness of Igbo heritage. The 2025 edition not only celebrated the bounty of the yam harvest but also reaffirmed Igbo-Ukwu’s role as a custodian of tradition and a rallying point for cultural pride.
By immortalising Senator Ekwunife, the community underscored its appreciation for leaders whose footprints extend beyond politics into cultural preservation, social development, and service to humanity.
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