All roads led to Lekki-Ibeju, the Eko Onibaje Cultural Art Centre, Lagos State as cultural enthusiasts, musicians and tourists across the globe visited this year’s celebration of 10th New Yam festival with banquet to honour the African cultural heritage having recently got the Lagos State endorsement.
The festival, that drew people from different parts of the world to the one of the most attractive cultural-tourism centres in Lagos, witnessed special recognition with the presence of International Breweries, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Centre for Black Arts and African Civilisation (CBAAC), Ibeji Lekki Community Development Authority and other corporate bodies in Nigeria.
The festival had traditional wrestling competition, the boat regatta, fashion show, visit to Igi Metta- Ibeju, football competition and art exhibition, with the official lauching of Eko Oni Baje Beauty Pageant show, which attracted models.
In his address, the initiator and promoter of Eko Onibaje cultural-tourism festival, Chief Ozo Chinedu Idezuma Ezemmuo, disclosed that the aim of the New Yam festival is to officially present the newly harvested yam to the ancestors and God, as it is an avenue to appreciate God for sustainability in growth and development. It is a call for respect of African traditions and culture.
The New Yam festival is not only an Igbo festival, it is a cultural integration festival that aims in the unification of Nigerians in the world, although it is well known in the South East regions of Nigeria. The unique festival is to celebrate the mystical nature of yam as a symbolism of unity. Ezemmuo noted that “Ife ji oku” is an age long celebration of unity.
He revealed “the endorsement from concerned authorities, such as ; CBAAC, NTDC and other important tourism sectors should at least propel UNESCO for endorsement. The promotion of cultural-tourism heritage of Nigeria is a potent instrument for unity. We also plead with other agencies which champion the growth and development of domestic tourism to tap into the riches of African culture. This, by extention, will definitely reflect positively in the country’s economy.”
The representative of Lagos Council of tourism, arts and Culture, Mr Oludusi Komolafe, who was present at the festival, noted “the state government is heavily conscious of the place of culture as a tool to develop tourism. The outcome of the Eko Onibaje festival over time convinced us to endorse and show support within our means. As it is our call to duty.
“This is the reason we are here to officially present the letter of endorsement to the initiator of the festival, Chief Chinedu Ezemmuo. Our hands are not just open to the promotion of cultural-tourism, we are consciously determined to make Lagos State a conducive environment for promotion of tourism in Lagos,” he concluded.
Osafile Philip, the Sales team leader of International Breweries Plc, noted that the Eko Onibaje Festival is all about traditional rites celebrating the New Yam Festival which is indigenous to the African people. Apart from the fact that Trophy as a beer brand is also celebrating the 40th anniversary, as the same time. It is an opportunity to celebrate African culture, as we are known to love everything African. We are here to show our support to the heritage of African.”
A tourist from India at the event enthused “it is the wrestling competition and the art exhibition that got my attention and I’ve never seen such in my life, it is totally different from the part of the world I come from. I have no regret coming down to witness this, next year, I will make sure I come with friends and family.
“Although I did not understand the meaning of the music, I was forced to dance. It is magical learning the African style of dancing I am happy to be here. I feel I’m home with the strikingly differences between the African and Asian culture and tradition. I feel at home,” he concluded.
Humble Smith is one of the celebrities that graced the Eko Onibaje New Yaw festival. Among the dignitaries are Miss Grace Smart, Pascal Orji, Bukola Waheed and Mrs Bose Adewuyi.
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