By Ifeanyichukwu 𝐈𝐛𝐞
Rotarians comprising Men in Rotary and Women in Rotary, Imo Zone, under Rotary District 9142, on Sunday, September 13, 2026, celebrated their maiden New Yam Festival in Owerri, Imo State, in a colourful display of culture, tradition, service and philanthropy in support of humanitarian interventions.
The celebration, organised by the two subgroups of Rotary International in Imo Zone, attracted Rotarians, Rotractors, friends, colleagues and other dignitaries from different parts of the state.
A major highlight of the occasion was the recognition of three distinguished individuals for their immense contributions and support towards the growth and progress of Rotary activities in Imo Zone.
Okenze Emmanuel Nwahiri received the Award of Humanitarian, while Princess Ada Anyanwu was presented with the Award of Excellence. Similarly, Rtn. Martins Chiedozie Ngumah was conferred with the traditional chieftaincy title of Igwe Ugo Di Iche I.
The special recognitions, according to the organisers, were in appreciation of the honourees’ immense contributions, commitment and support to the activities of the club, particularly its humanitarian and community-oriented programmes.
It was gathered that the New Yam Festival was principally 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐬 to raise funds for the Polio Foundation and strengthen the club’s humanitarian interventions in critical areas, including healthcare, literacy, environmental protection, peace-building and economic development.
Performing the traditional rites for the New Yam Festival, His Royal Highness, Eze Reginald Amadi (PHF), of Obetiti Nguru Community, Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA, thanked God for a bountiful harvest following the planting season.
Eze Amadi emphasised the importance of preserving Igbo cultural heritage, commending the Rotarians for choosing to mark their cultural week with a New Yam celebration.
He described the initiative as an important platform for promoting and sustaining cultural values, noting the significance of passing the traditions of the people from one generation to another.
In his address, the Chairman of the occasion, Ochieze Rtn. Okey Emenyonu (JP), highlighted the significance of the New Yam Festival as a celebration of life, hard work, fertility and community resilience, describing yam as the “king of crops.”
According to him, the festival goes beyond the consumption of a ceremonial meal, as it represents the reward for hard work, fertility, community resilience and the continuity of cultural values.
“The New Yam Festival is far more than a ceremonial meal; it is a sacred symbol of life, hard work, fertility and community endurance. Today, Imo Rotarians celebrate as we break and eat the new yam, we honour the labour of our hands, pay respect to the traditions of our ancestors, and celebrate the continuity of our culture across generations,” Emenyonu said.
In her remarks, the Imo Representative, Women in Rotary, Imo Zone, District 9142, Rtn. Jane Ejinkeonye, thanked members for their contributions towards advancing the objectives of Rotary and urged them to sustain their collective efforts towards taking the organisation to greater heights.
Ejinkeonye, who announced a major activity of the organisation scheduled for November, also commended the awardees and title holder for their remarkable contributions to humanity.
She explained that the honours were the organisation’s way of expressing gratitude for the service and impact of the recipients, adding that the recognition 𝐰𝐚𝐬 also intended to inspire them to do more.
The colourful celebration featured cultural displays, traditional dances, Rotary songs and networking among participants, alongside other activities that added glamour and excitement to the maiden edition of the festival.
The event ended on a celebratory note, with participants commending Men in Rotary and Women in Rotary, Imo Zone, for successfully combining the promotion of Igbo cultural heritage with Rotary’s ideals of service, humanitarianism and community development.
𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞, 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 included Rtn. Jane Ejinkeonye, Award of 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞; Rtn. Chinonye Nnawuihe, Ada Nga Nga I of Imo Zone; Rtn. Winifred Osigwe, Okwulu Okalisia I of Imo Zone; Rtn. Pet Anoruo, Odiuko Na Mba I of Imo Zone; Rtn. Eunice Linus-Okere, UU Nwere Address I of Imo Zone; Rtn. Amaka Ogudo, Ada Dimagu; Rtn. Princess Ada Anyanwu, Achalugo; and PAG Chioma Ngonadi, Akwa Ugo I of Imo Zone.
