Obi Uruagu described Festival a season of thanksgiving

…Muoghalu, Obiora others prayed for more fruitful years ahead, As PG Lauded Afia-Olu, saying it’s a period of unity in Nnewi.

By Ekelaka Magnus

Afia Olu is a cultural event prevalent in the Eastern region of Nigeria especially Anambra State. The Nnewi, Oraifite and Ichi which made up of the Anaedo clan is an example.
Historically the event is celebrated during the new yam festival in order to bring to the end the farming season. It is a culturally significant and rich in African ideology.

These events showcases a wide range of Africanism, from exotic traditional delicacies to displaying of culturally embedded dances and masquerades. It also offers business opportunities as it garners a host of dignitaries which usually grace the event.

On this forgoing, the people of Uruagu in Nnewi North Local Government Area however has not been Left out as tradition demands that Uruagu Festival should be celebrated in the palace of His Highness Obi Afamefuna Charles Obi, the (Ogidi IV) on August every year.

His royal highness Obi Afamefuna Charles Obi, the (Ogidi IV) who is the traditional custodian of Uruagu community had in the meantime declared the festival open with the cutting of the new yam and breaking of kolanut as well as offering special payers for the people of Uruagu in Nnewi North local government.
Obi Afamefuna who thanked God for keeping the community alive to witness 2025 Afia-Olu Festival and also asked God for his grace to keep them alive to witness the 2026 Afia-Olu, He also prayed for long life and prosperity, unity, love, and understanding among community.

Future more, the President-General of Uruagu community in Nnewi North, Hon Innocent Onyekachukwu Okolie, who is also the Chairman and CEO of Organizer Oil and Gas Limited while fielding questions from journalists, described the Afia-Olu Festival as a period of unity and brotherliness in Nnewi, he noted that Afia-Olu is a period when every citizen of Nnewi harvest their crops especially the yam crop.
In his good will message, Hon Okolie urged those in diaspora to always make out time to come home during Afia-Olu Festival to see and Foster development in the community.

On his part, Chief George Muoghalu, the (Ohamadike of Nnewi) who is the Labour Party Governorship candidate in the forth-coming November 8 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, an indigene of Uruagu, however opined that being part of this year’s Afia-Olu festival is a fulfilment for him, he expressed satisfaction on the plan and conduct of this year’s Afia-Olu New Yam Festival, stating that for him he’s very excited to celebrate the Festival with his local community.

Chief Muoghalu in his message which reads, thus “I am happy seeing everyone celebrating the Afia-Olu festival both the chiefs and elders including the locals, everybody is happy eating and drinking, dancing and we are enjoying ourselves”
The massage further opined that “Afia-Olu culture will not die, we shall keep doing it and we shall also encourage and support our local leaderships, I prayed for Obi Afamefuna and his forebearers on the throne, his leadership will bring lasting peace and prosperity, progress and safety in the entire Uruagu community” the massage accerted.

In the same vein, Chief Sir Chigozie Obianyo Chief Onyerikanne Nnewi, the CEO ZARAGOLD industry Nig limited thanked the youth for thier steadfastness in making this Afia-Olu festival a successful one, he however in the spirit of the season wish the Igwe Nnewi and Obi Afamefuna good life and prosperity.
“I must begin by commending the youth of Uruagu for conducting themselves, your initiative, passion, and respect for our cultural heritage give us hope for a brighter future. You have proven that tradition and modernity can walk hand in hand — and that the legacy of our ancestors is safe in your capable hands.

Our correspondence report that there were heavy presence of masquerades displays, dancing of different and other cultural performances.