New Yam is such a colourful annual festive occasion celebrated in several part of the country Nigeria and beyond annually and of which the ancient city of Ile-Ife, South-West Nigeria is not an exception as it is one of the prominent traditional festivals hosted in the acclaimed source of mankind annually.
As the 2021 edition of the New Yam Festival holds in the city, the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife has described the festival as an occasion for celebrating abundance and sustainability.
Ooni Ogunwusi who doubles as the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) further maintained that the food items were first discovered by the 401 premodial deities in the historical city before being taken over by humanity.
The foremost traditional ruler and keeper of the widely acknowledged source of mankind however used the occasion to offer prayers for abundant blessings, peace and prosperity in the land.
"From the source of mankind that is Ile-Ife, where yam and corn suitable for human consumption were first discovered by the 401 spirits and later passed down to humanity for our survival, strength and vitality.
"Indeed a festival of bountiful harvest and sustainability for the entire mankind. It is my prayer that as we celebrate the new yam festival, Olodumare will indeed bless our lands and rescue us from all forms of affliction and hunger", Ooni stated.
Post a Comment
COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Comments entered here belong to their makers and do not in any way reflect or represent the views of Ife City Blog, its owners or Staff.