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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
Ringo Sport Club, National Parks Service Team Up to Promote Eco-Tourism, Combat Climate Change
By Joel Ajayi
The Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria and the National Park Service (NPS) have begun moves to strengthen collaboration on eco-tourism promotion, environmental protection and climate change mitigation ahead of the maiden Nigerian Para-Military Ringo Sport Tournament (NIPAMRIST) 2026.
The National President of Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria and Chairman of the National Inter-Agency Organising Committee (NIAOC) of NIPAMRIST, Malam Ahmed Mohammed Sule, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Conservator-General of the National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Musa Goni, at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.
The visit was part of ongoing stakeholder engagements to secure the participation of personnel from para-military agencies and explore areas of cooperation ahead of the three-day tournament scheduled for November 19 to 21, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Sule said the tournament was designed to bring together officers and personnel of Nigeria’s para-military agencies to compete for honours while promoting inter-agency cooperation, national unity, physical fitness and general well-being.
He explained that the engagement with the National Park Service was aimed at strengthening preparations for the inaugural competition and building a lasting partnership that would extend beyond sports.
According to him, the National Park Service is a strategic partner in advancing the tournament’s objectives, particularly through the integration of sports and tourism to showcase Nigeria’s natural attractions and encourage environmental awareness.
Sule disclosed that the Service had registered for the tournament and that some of its personnel had benefited from the intensive Ringo sport training programme organised by the club.
He urged the Conservator-General to mobilise more personnel for the competition, stressing that adequate preparation and mass participation would contribute to the success of the tournament.
The Ringo Sport Club president added that NIPAMRIST offered an opportunity to use sports as a platform for promoting Nigeria’s eco-tourism potential, improving the fitness of security and para-military personnel, and encouraging stronger institutional partnerships.
He called for sustained collaboration between the club and the National Park Service to leverage the tournament’s visibility in promoting the country’s protected areas and supporting tourism development.
Responding, Goni expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to the success of NIPAMRIST 2026.
He pledged that the National Park Service would encourage active participation by its personnel, describing the tournament as an avenue to improve physical fitness, discipline, teamwork and esprit de corps among staff.
The Conservator-General also welcomed the proposal for deeper cooperation on eco-tourism, noting that the Service had continued to pursue partnerships that support biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and tourism development across Nigeria’s protected areas.
Goni linked the growing effects of climate change to environmental degradation and the neglect of environmental protection principles, noting that damage to ecosystems and the depletion of natural protective cover could contribute to displacement, migration and conflicts.
He said the relationship between sports and eco-tourism presented an opportunity to raise public awareness about Nigeria’s national parks while encouraging healthy lifestyles among service personnel and the wider population.
Goni assured the organising committee of the Service’s readiness to explore practical areas of cooperation before, during and after the tournament.
He also clarified that Nigeria has 17 national parks, with about 13 currently in active operation, correcting what he described as the misconception in some quarters that the country has only seven parks.
The visit ended with both parties agreeing to establish a working framework for the Service’s participation in the tournament and sustain discussions on eco-tourism promotion and other areas of mutual interest.
The organising committee expressed optimism that the partnership would strengthen NIPAMRIST 2026 and support its broader objectives of sports development, institutional cooperation and tourism promotion.
NIPAMRIST is the maiden inter-agency Ringo sport tournament organised by Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria for officers and personnel of Nigerian para-military establishments.
The 2026 edition is expected to feature 120 players and officials from eight agencies, including the National Park Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others.
The tournament is scheduled to run from November 19 to 21 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
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