Nnesweoha : Asaga Nwali Celebrates Ebonyi Culture, Commends Leadership, Farmers

High Chief Architect Christian Asaga Nwali, Chairman of C-Sagas Group and Founder of the C-Sagas Charity Foundation, has extended warm felicitations to the people of Ikwo Noyo, Ebonyi State, as they mark the 2025 edition of the Nnesweoha New Yam Festival, a significant cultural event in South-East Nigeria.

In a goodwill message made available to journalists, Mr Nwali congratulated key figures in Ebonyi State, including the Executive Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru; his wife, Her Excellency Chief Mrs. Mary-Maudlin Uzoamaka Nwifuru; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa; and the Executive Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Barr. Sunday Basil Nwankwo.

He also saluted the traditional rulers of Ikwo communities and the people of Ikwo Noyo for their continued commitment to cultural preservation.

“The Nnesweoha New Yam Festival is more than just a celebration—it is a sacred period of thanksgiving, a reaffirmation of identity, and a communal recommitment to our shared values,” Mr Nwali stated.

He noted that the annual festival, which marks the end of the farming season and the beginning of another, provides an opportunity for the people to express gratitude for a successful harvest and to renew the social and cultural bonds that define the Ikwo identity.

“As a people united by cultural heritage and communal aspirations, I am confident that this year’s festival will deepen our collective resolve to pursue peace, unity, and development across Ikwo Noyo,” he added.

Mr Nwali praised the traditional institution for its role in safeguarding the customs and spiritual dimensions of the Nnesweoha celebration. He also acknowledged the contributions of local farmers, whom he described as the lifeblood of the festival.

“I commend our farmers for their resilience, their skilled agricultural practices, and their enduring commitment to food security. I pray that God continues to bless the land and grant them abundant harvests,” he said.

He further urged participants and visitors to savour the richness of Ikwo culture and the warmth of its people.

“I wish everyone partaking in this year’s Nnesweoha Festival a joyful and meaningful celebration. May it foster deeper harmony and inspire renewed dedication to the development of our communities,” the statement read.

The Nnesweoha Festival remains one of the most revered cultural traditions in Ebonyi State, particularly among the Ikwo people. Characterised by traditional rites, dances, communal feasting, and homage to ancestral heritage, the festival continues to serve as a platform for cultural expression, reconciliation, and rural development advocacy.