News
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.
Foreign news
Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.
Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.
He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.
On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.
He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.
On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.
Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.
He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.
The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.
He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.
Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.
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