Anambra Farmer Wins N.5m for Harvesting Heaviest Yam

From Chuks Collins, Awka

Sept 8,2024

History was made in the sleepy town of Obeledu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State where Mr Kenneth Ifeakandu a subsistent farmer from Okofia village won five hundred thousand Naira star prize for harvesting the heaviest yam, weighing 95kg in the community.

The competition was part of the annual New Yam festival 2024 edition of Obeledu community.

Mr Ifeakandu said he would invested the money in his farm for greater yield next year, describing the cheque as "a morale booster to invest more into agriculture." According to him,

"I will expand my scope and return here next year by the grace of God with super huge harvest to show my gratitude to God", he said.

The President General of Obeledu Progress Union, Engr Ken Echendu said that the agric show was deliberately factored into the new yam festival as part of the side attraction to encourage citizens to return to farming.

"People have this impression that Anaocha has white land which is not fertile enough to support agriculture but we are changing that erroneous narrative.

"We are doing this to key into the administration of Gov Charles Soludo which has been encouraging people to go into farming, in Obeledu we are encouraging our youths to go into agriculture," he said.

He appealed to the entire Obeledu people to continue to support his administration even as he promised them that there are better days ahead.

The traditional ruler of the community, Igwe AC Oragwam while performing the traditional cutting of the new 2024 yam to flag off the occasion thanked God for granting his community a bountiful harvest. He urged all to embrace peace which he described as the bedrock for growth and development.

The Secretary of the Obeledu Media Department, Mr Ikechukwu Okafor who is the Media Aide to the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka attributed the success of the occasion to the harmonious relationship existing between the Obeledu people.

"People are happy, farms and other endeavors of the people are doing well, an indication that God is with us, 2024 edition of Obeledu new yam festival is particularly unique because of the level of participation of the people," he noted.

He pointed out that to ensure that the tempo is sustained, fertilizers were distributed to farmers at the occasion in anticipation of bumper harvest next year and beyond. Mr Okafor applauded the Obeledu monarch for giving yams and cash to the less privileged persons in the eight villages that constitute the town in celebration of the new yam festival.

Okafor expressed optimism that the current Executive Council of Obeledu would take the community to the promised land. He appealed to all to remain steadfast continue to support the paramount traditional ruler of the town and the leadership of Town Union.

The Anambra State Commisioner for Local Government Affairs and Chieftaincy Matters, TonyCollins Nwabuwanne who graced the occasion congratulated the entire people of the community for a successful outing. He pointed out that he has continued to attend new yam festivals across the state to see how the communities are keying into the agricultural revolution of the administration of Gov Soludo.

Mr Nwabuwanne said as a matter of fact that the Obeledu community has done so very well and would be supported by the government to do more in the area of agriculture. He urged other towns and communities in Anambra State to borrow a leaf from Obeledu.