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Igbo community, Cajaah estate, Orozo celebrates New Yam with funfair
It was a deep display of Igbo cultural heritage during the celebration of the 2024 edition of the new yam festival by the Ndi Igbo community of Cajaah estate located in Orozo in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
This years ceremony which had as it’s theme: Our Culture, Our Heritage took place in the estate over the weekend and attracted Igbos within and outside its environ. They were indeed all dressed in different and diverse colorful traditional Igbo attires that befit the occasion.
Highlighting the purpose of the occasion, the Chairman of the Igbo community in Cajaah estate, Chief Cosmas Ekpunobi told our correspondent why the occasion was that important to them as Igbos.
He said, “It is in keeping with the tradition of Igbos anywhere they find themselves even if they are two or three. We have this tradition of bringing ourselves together, to know each other, share in our experiences and if possible help each other.
“New yam festival is one unique event in Igbo land that we have also tried to institute here, bring ourselves together and also bring our friends. It’s not exclusively for Igbos alone that is why you can see the presence of other people from other tribes with us here today.
“This is the second time we are doing this in this estate, and each time we keep trying to improve on what we are doing. But, that next time we are going to do this you will definitely see a lot of improvement.
“Let me assure you that the Nzuko Ndigbo is not a parallel association in the estate, but it is what we do as Igbos anywhere we find ourselves , both here and abroad. That was why sometimes ago there was a new yam festival in Germany and all of you saw what happened there. Like I said this association is not a parallel association, it is here to compliment the existing executive in the estate,” the Ndigbo chairman concluded.
Also speaking with our correspondent, chairman of the 2024 new yam festival organizing committee, Chief Nonso Onwuanibe gave more insight for the occasion, emphasizing that it’s meant to showcase their rich cultural heritage.
“The new yam festival or as we call it, Iwaji or Iriji is a festival that Igbos celebrate all over the world. It’s basically to usher in the new yam festival. It’s a mark of blessings, goodwill and togetherness. And as a community in this estate, the Chairman deemed it necessary that the Igbo community been a strong one in the estate it is pertinent to showcase our culture and our heritage to other tribes in the estate. That is one of the reasons we are having this wonderful occasion today,” he said.
Meanwhile, the special guest of honour at the event, the chairman of the estate Engr Kenneth Egbedion praised the Igbo community for setting the pace for unity in the estate.
“We want to congratulate you for putting together this event, and it’s our prayer that subsequent occasions it will be bigger and bigger. Thank you for setting the pace while others follow. You people have shown what it actually takes for community relation, for unity and harmony. I want to thank the leadership of the Ndigbo for setting the pace. For bringing unity amongst us and it’s our prayers that celebration will not seize in this estate,” he concluded.
The event featured the traditional cutting of the well roasted yam, which the Chairman of the Ndigbo community led other top dignitaries to performing the rites and thereafter there were displays of Igbo recitation which was anchored by two vibrant very young Igbo boys, Master David Amarachukwu Emenike and Master Emmanuel Chinenyenwa Emenike to the admiration of all.
The popular Ogene dance troops were also on ground to entertain the house with their traditional tunes.
The occasion did not lack in foods and drinks as the ‘Nzuko Ndigbo’ did actually put aside the Tinubu induced hardship in the land to entertain the guests with assorted and enough Igbo delicacies.
News
PSIN Administrator Commends Yobe Government for Championing Leadership Continuity and Institutional Sustainability
Cyril Igele
The Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Barrister Imeh Okon, has applauded the Yobe State Government for its strong commitment to leadership continuity and sustainable governance through strategic investment in human capital development.
Barrister Okon gave the commendation at the opening of a Management Retreat for Yobe State Permanent Secretaries, held at the PSIN headquarters in Abuja.
The retreat, themed “Succession Planning, Leadership Continuity, and Institutional Sustainability in the Yobe State Public Service,” convened senior bureaucrats and resource persons to discuss strategies for strengthening leadership and governance within the state’s civil service.
In her remarks, the PSIN Administrator praised Governor Mai Mala Buni for his foresight and partnership in prioritizing public sector training and capacity development. She described the theme of the retreat as both “timely and visionary,” emphasizing that institutions endure only when leadership is continuous, knowledge is shared, and systems—not individuals—drive performance.
“Institutions thrive not merely on structures or policies, but on the deliberate cultivation of capable leaders who can sustain progress across generations,” she said. “By prioritizing leadership continuity and institutional resilience, Yobe State is leading by example.”
Barrister Okon reiterated PSIN’s mandate to build a competent, ethical, and innovative public service capable of delivering tangible results to citizens. She stressed that effective succession planning must be anchored in continuous training, mentorship, and exposure to emerging governance trends.
Citing best practices from Singapore and the United Kingdom, Okon noted that successful public service systems deliberately identify and nurture potential leaders through structured talent pipelines and transparent career development programmes. According to her, Yobe State’s initiative reflects its readiness to sustain excellence in governance.
She also highlighted PSIN’s flagship programmes—SMART-P, which builds administrative and technical capacity; LEAD-P, designed to groom emerging leaders; and the Exit from Service Masterclass, which prepares officers for life after service. Okon urged the Yobe Government to adopt the Exit Masterclass into its human resource framework to ensure a smooth transition for retirees, preserve institutional knowledge, and promote productivity through entrepreneurship and consultancy.
“Succession planning is not an event but a culture that must be institutionalised at every level of public administration,” she added. “When we prepare successors in advance and invest in continuous learning, we guarantee the sustainability of reforms and consistency in governance.”
Declaring the retreat open, the Acting Head of Service of Yobe State, Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu, reaffirmed Governor Buni’s commitment to building a results-driven and high-performing public service.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service, Alhaji Shehu, the Acting Head of Service expressed gratitude to God and lauded PSIN as the “mother institution of public service learning.” He stated that Governor Buni has consistently directed the Office of the Head of Service to promote seamless succession planning and capacity building to enhance efficiency and accountability across government institutions.
“In line with this directive, we have brought the top echelon of the state civil service to PSIN—being the drivers and core implementers of government policies and programmes—to strengthen continuity and sustainability in our reforms,” he said.
He urged participants to fully engage in the retreat, share experiences, and cascade the knowledge gained to officers across ministries, departments, and agencies. The exercise, he explained, forms part of a deliberate strategy to institutionalize effective succession planning within the Yobe State Civil Service, thereby ensuring sustained productivity and improved service delivery to citizens.
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