By joshua 
Ebonyi; Izzi Stakeholders call for Sustenance of Ojiji festival
—- Say It is not fetish
By Agbo Amuche, Abakaliki
As Izzi clan celebrate 2025 ojiji new yam festival, some concerned stakeholders of the clan have continued to advocate for the sustenance of ojiji new yam festival, saying that it is not festish and it doesn’t contradict religious activities.
Speaking on the significant of the festival, the Commissioner of lands and survey in Ebonyi State Dr. Mathew Nwobashi, described the festival as the period of sober reflection, love, exchange of food to beloved ones and a mark of respect to yam as a king of all crops among others.
The Commissioner noted that the festival marks end of the year according to Izzi calendar.
Dr. Nwobashi urged Izzi people to prioritize the celebration of Ojiji new yam festival while calling on the younger generation never to allow it to go into extinction, adding that any man who doesn’t have yam ban is not being recognize as full fledge man in the clan.
“If you don’t have yam ban, you are not being recognize as man in Izzi land, that is to tell you the level of its significant in our clan”
On his part, the member representing Abakaliki North Constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly Hon. Victor Nwoke encouraged the people of the clan especially youths to engage themselves into farming activities and skill acquisition instead of waiting for white cola job that is not forthcoming in their own best interest.
He noted that ojiji festival reflected the cultural heritage of the clan and called for peace, love and harmony during the celebration.
He extended his warm greetings to the first family of the State and prayed God to continue to guide and protect them accordingly.
Also, the member representing Ebonyi North East constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly Hon. Chinyere Nwogbaga thanked God for providing a conducive atmosphere for the celebration of this year’s ojiji festival.
The lawmaker who described the festival as the rich cultural heritage of the clan inherited from their forefathers, noted that it is not fetish and it can never die in their own hands.
“During Ojiji festival married men give yam to their in-laws, eat and dine with them. One can wonder how you planted small yam and harvest big ones. Let us not allow our culture to die” the lawmakers submitted
The Senior Special assistant to the Governor on youth mobilization Hon. Chinedu Emerike, observed that the importance of the ojiji festival cannot be overemphasized, as the celebration marks the beginning of sales of new yam in the State.
He advised youths to embrace their rich cultural heritage and never allow it to die.