Abatete New Yam Festival Reaffirms Soludo’s Farm-To-Feed Policy
Abatete community in Idemili North, Anambra State, came alive at the weekend as indigenes celebrated the annual New Yam Festival, with the state’s Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, linking the tradition to Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Farm-to-Feed policy.
The festival began with the symbolic cutting of yam at the palace of Igwe Emeka Efobi, represented by the Traditional Prime Minister, Chief Pius Ezeigwe, and continued at various quarters, including Agbaja, where Mefor, an Ichié, performed the rites for his kindred.
Addressing guests, Mefor, who holds the title Ichie Okaka Anueyiagu Abatete, described yam as the “king of crops”, stressing that the celebration mirrors Soludo’s call for food security through hard work and organic farming.
“What Abatete is doing today is re-echoing what the governor and his wife preach: let’s farm to feed ourselves, our families, our state, and Nigeria,” he said.
Igwe Efobi, represented by Onowu Ezeigwe, thanked God for peace in the town, lauded Soludo’s development strides, and urged him to extend road projects to Abatete.
Also speaking, Chief Ifeanyi Metu, SSA to the Governor on MSMEs, pledged Abatete’s continued support for the Solution Government.
The festival drew dignitaries including leaders of the Abatete Development Organisation and representatives of non-indigenes in Anambra State.