…Affirms That PDP Not Divided, Still One Big Family
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu joined dignitaries, including top traditional Rulers, politicians, friends, well-wishers, sons and daughters of Iraokhor to celebrate the 2022 New Yam Festival ( ESI)
Shaibu in the company of other dignitaries converged on Uralo Primary School which was agog with music, dance, eating, and fun fare in a carnival-like celebration. He was represented by the Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Hon Imonofi Inusa.
In his address delivered by Imonofi, the Deputy Governor congratulated the people of Iraokhor for the Esi celebration. He specifically acknowledged the important role Iraokhor plays in the socio-cultural life of the people of Avhianwun Clan, especially in the celebration of the New Yam Festival.
Shaibu assured the people that there was no crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, adding that what is happening in the party was nothing but a mere family misunderstanding, assuring that it will soon fizzle out.
He told the people that he was going to come back soon with the PDP candidates for all the elective positions for campaigns, pleading that they should support the PDP in the coming general elections.
Different age grades, men, women, the local hunters, traditional dancers, and masquerades led a procession with newly harvested yams to the admiration of everyone present at the event
The various presentation was eventually made into a pyramid of yams, depicting the hallmark of the event and the farming strength of the ancient Iraokhor community, which is the legendary owner of the prestigious new yam festival (Esi).
Iraokhor is one of the four villages that make up the Avhianwu Clan in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State. Incidentally, it is home of the current Ogie Avhianwu, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Aberelire Jackson Dauda Etokhana ( Oghiavianwu of Avhianwu) who graced the occasion in elegant royal apparel
Other important guests, were the Head of Service of Etsako Central Local Government Council, Dr. Sunny Yerumo, Community Head of Ivhiunone Sub Clan, HRH (Engr) Emmanuel Ogah and of course, the chief host of the day, the traditional head of Iraokhor Sub Clan, HRH, Thomas Ilogho. Former Commissioner For Youth and Sports and former member, Edo State House of Assembly, Damian Lawani, Esq, a former Vice Chairman of Etsako Central Council, Rotarian Kelvin Akhigbe, All Progressives Congress Chairman in Etsako Central Local Government, Comrade, Comrade John Saliu, Edo State Coordinator Security Network, Col Bankole O. Omomia, rtd, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Comrade Ebomhiana Musa who is a son of Iraokhor.
According to history, the Iraokhor subclan has the legendary right and ownership of the ESI festival and takes the lead in the celebration which is usually done between August and September every year.
Thereafter, the other communities (villages) follow in this order, Ogbona, Arua, and Unone the two last villages also called Fugar
According to the tradition of the Avhianwu people, the Ogbona subclan takes charge of ‘Ogbhe,’ whose responsibility is the proclamation of the date of the commencement of the festival, while the Unone sub-clan controls the ‘Ukpe’ and Arua takes charge of ‘Okhuo Zibo’
Though the new yam festival is celebrated by almost every ethnic group in Nigeria, its uniqueness in Avhianwu culture and the carnival mode it was celebrated by the Iraokhor people Saturday 20 August 2022 is aptly captured by the Deputy Governor, who described the people as “culturally powerful, small but mighty”.