The Chairman/CEO CAADES Group and Founder Ofuji Movement, Dr. Chima Anyaso has revealed the idea behind the annual festival, Iriji Ofuji which is in its second edition this year.
He told ABN TV on Monday that the new yam festival (Iri Ji) is an age-long culture of the Igbo people, a festival he is hosting with a traditional title conferred on him, “Ofuji”, a title he said his friends have come to cherish, gradually taking over his real name.
He said the Iriji Ofuji is aimed at ensuring that the flame of Igbo culture, manifestly seen in the new yam festival is kept alive.
“It also seeks to encourage our children, who are almost lost out in our culture, personally my kids, they will always ask daddy what is this Iri ji.
“You know children are very vast in technology. So when you tell them, it would widen their knowledge of what the festival is all about.
“For me, it’s a way of promoting our culture and getting our children to be interested in it. If they see someone like me practicing and promoting our culture, they will also be interested in it”, he said.
According to Dr. Anyaso, the event which centres around thanksgiving to God for the success of the farming and harvest season will take place in September 27 at noon.
Venue is Ahuoma Villa, Onu Ibina Igbere in Bende local government area of Abia State.
Dr. Anyaso, also a political leader in the state said the event will also afford him the opportunity to mark his birthday with his brothers and sisters in the village, an avenue where they can wine and dine and exchange brotherly love.
