RAYMOND OZOJI reports
Acrobatic performances of masquerades rent the air amidst gift presentations at Amukabia village Achalla Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State as His Royal Majesty Igwe Ositadimma Sunny Nwokedi (Otoko na Eze Achalla) celebrated the 2026 Iri-ji festival in his palatial palace.
It was a unique celebration because of the convivial atmosphere which the traditional ruler affirmed that peace has returned to the community and that communal life has taken a new dimension because the people both at home and in the diaspora have collectively and unanimously resolved that Achalla must witness rapid infrastructural development and economic advancement.
The 2026 Achalla community new yam festival which was attended by very prominent personalities including the Labour Party House of Representatives candidate for Awka-North and South Federal Constituency election next year Barr. Kachi Anyasili, afforded the traditional ruler ample opportunity to appeal to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to come to the rescue of Achalla people by constructing a strategic road in the community connecting Achalla and Igbariam community in Anambra-East Local Government Area of the state.
The traditional ruler Igwe Ositadimma Sunny Nwokedi, said that the new yam festival was an annual event to thank God for bountiful harvests as well as pray for fruitful farming season in the preceding year.
The monarch noted that the 2026 edition of the festival was uniquely different because the community went through ups and downs yet still came out stronger and fortified for greater endeavours ahead as evident in the mammoth crowd that trooped to the palace for the celebration.
Igwe Nwokedi who observed that Anambra communities have a common problem of loosed soil, said Achalla's environmental issues were fair when compared to the huge, menacing erosion devastations in Nanka and some other communities in the state.
He therefore hinted that he has discussed with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for the construction of the Achalla-Igbariam road to save them from the agony and excruciating experience on the ill-fated road.
Igwe Nwokedi who disclosed that Governor Soludo has constructed the road connecting Achalla from the state capital Awka, expressed concern that tipper drivers and flood waters have dealt terrible blow on the Achalla-Igbariam road, adding that the governor should please come to their rescue.
In his brief interview with journalists, the traditional prime minister of Achalla community (Onowu Achalla) Hon. Chief John Nwokoye, who was a former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, said that the symbolic cutting of the new yam by Igwe Nwokedi implied that every family and kindred in Achalla were free to eat the new yam henceforth in their respective households.
Nwokoye therefore pointed out that apart from road issues, Achalla community needs a functional general hospital, equipping of the schools and other basic amenities. He also added that Achalla people were hopeful that the state government would commence remedial actions on Achalla-Igbariam road immediately after the rains.
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