The 2025 New Yam Festival of the Ohuhu Welfare Union, Lagos Branch, held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, was marked with colour, culture, and celebration, drawing dignitaries and well-wishers from different parts of Nigeria.
Among those who graced the occasion was a renowned business man and entrepreneur High Chief Uche Patrick Ogbonna, CEO Pat-Uchman Nig. Ltd popularly known as Dike Ohuhu, who served as Chairman of the Occasion. He lauded the President of the Union Lagos branch, Chief Bliss Ihuoma, and his executive team for what he described as “a well-coordinated and culturally inspiring event.”
The festival, which featured rich traditional displays including the Ekpe Cultural Festival, showcased the beauty of Ohuhu heritage and the unity of its people in the diaspora.
In his opening remarks, Chief Patrick described the New Yam Festival as “deeply rooted in the spiritual and cultural life of the Igbo people,” symbolizing thanksgiving to God and to the gods of the land for a bountiful harvest and the dawn of a new agricultural season.
He explained that the ceremony traditionally begins with the offering of the first yam elders or kings to deities such as Ifejioku or Ahiajioku, signifying reverence and gratitude. According to him, the event goes beyond agriculture, serving as a reminder to be thankful for prosperity in various aspects of life—business, career, and family.
Chief Patrick also commended Rt. Hon. Obinna Aguocha, the Member representing Ikwuano-Umuahia Federal Constituency, for honouring the invitation of Ndi Ohuhu in Lagos and making a substantial financial contribution in support of the event.
However, he expressed disappointment over the absence of the Local Government Chairman and the Ohuhu representative in the Abia State House of Assembly, noting that their failure to attend such a significant cultural gathering “did not reflect respect for the people they represent.”
Dike Ohuhu concluded giving thanks to God Almighty for the grace that made the celebration a success and for granting participants safe travels back to their destinations.
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