By Johnpaul Anih
In a bid to sustaining and promoting the eroding Igbo cultural heritage, an Enugu based socio-political organization, Coal City Youths Development Initiative on Tuesday celebrated her 2021 New Yam Festival with the theme: “Origin and significance of new yam in Igboland; reviving and sustaining the eroding Igbo cultural heritage”.
The movement is committed to the enthronement of excellence in leadership and engendering good governance through political awareness creation, political reorientation, mass mobilization of the electorates and direct participation of the youths in Governance and decision making processes.
The event held amidst excitement, attracted notable political stalwarts, religious leaders, traditional rulers, youths and interest groups.
In a keynote address, the the Director General, Hon. Remigus Ozonwama thanked the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his open door policy.
He commended the founder of Coal City Youths Development Initiative, Hon. Johnpaul Anih who is now the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Affairs for his adroitness and prayed for God’s sustained grace upon him.
Ozonwama noted that the event was aimed at inculcating in the young ones the rich Igbo cultural heritage with a view to sustaining them.
In their various speeches, the Enugu state Commissioner for Culture and tourism, Hon. Ugonna Ibe, the Traditional ruler Ndiagu Uwani autonomous community Akpugo, HRH Igwe Innocent Ogbodo, the Executive Secretary Enugu state Council for Arts and Culture who doubled as the chairman of the occasion, Chief sculpture Izueke Eddy Okolo, Dr. Ikechukwu Nwagwu, Enugu state Commissioner for Information, Chief Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh represented by his Director Communication, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Evaristus Offor, the Director Communication, Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Very Rev. Fr. Benjamin Achi and others thanked the leadership of Coal City Youths Development Initiative for her consistency and promised to continually support the group within the available resources so as to realise it laudable Programs.
In an interview, Hon. Barr. C.B Onovo, Hon. Barr. Chimezie Ugwu, Traditional rulers of various schools, leaders of other youth groups applauded the movement for such a wonderful outing and congratulated then on their Four years of existence.
Other important personalities attended the event while the highlight was the “Iwa Ji”, coronation of Igwe Coal City Youths, masquerades and other side attractions.