The Traditional Ruler of Ebenebe in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Christopher Emeka Nnaegbuna, has called on young people to embrace agriculture as a pathway to prosperity, saying farming remains an effective tool for tackling poverty, unemployment and crime.
The monarch made the call during the 2026 Arum Ji (Iri Ji) New Yam Festival, where he urged youths to return to the land rather than roam the streets or engage in cultism and other criminal activities.
The 2026 festival marked the 29th Arum Ji celebration under the monarch’s reign and attracted traditional rulers, farmers, community leaders, political stakeholders and visitors from within and outside Anambra State.
The celebration began with a Holy Mass officiated by four Catholic priests, followed by traditional rites involving the Igwe-in-Council, Ichie and Ozo title holders, age grades, women’s groups and families.
In keeping with tradition, the traditional ruler performed the ceremonial tasting of the new yam before residents were permitted to eat the season’s harvest.
Addressing residents and visitors at his palace during the annual harvest celebration, Igwe Nnaegbuna described agriculture as the foundation on which many successful sons and daughters of Ebenebe were raised.
“Agriculture remains the surest path to prosperity,” he said.
“Most educated people from Ebenebe, including myself, were raised by farming families. Our forefathers were renowned farmers, and that legacy must continue.”
The monarch, who described himself as an active farmer, said he had ensured that his children also embraced farming, insisting that the community’s fertile land offers enormous opportunities for wealth creation.
“I am a farmer, and my children also farm. Rather than roaming the streets or engaging in crime, our young people should return to the land,” he said.
He added that productive engagement in agriculture would help keep youths away from cultism and other criminal activities.
“Idleness breeds crime. When young people are productively engaged in farming, they are less likely to join cult groups or engage in criminal activities.”
Igwe Nnaegbuna also advocated mechanised farming to boost food production, create jobs and attract greater investment to rural communities, urging governments and other stakeholders to support agricultural development.
The monarch reiterated his commitment to peace and security in Ebenebe, saying the palace had introduced community rules discouraging violence, cultism and the use of weapons to settle disputes.
He dismissed social media reports linking criminal activities to the community, maintaining that Ebenebe remained peaceful and would not tolerate crime.
Earlier, the Traditional Prime Minister of Ebenebe, Onowu Joe Nwaegu, said the festival marked the completion of the farming cycle that began earlier in the year.
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Beyond the cultural celebrations, Nwaegu said the festival had evolved into a four-day event that attracts visitors from different parts of Anambra and beyond.
“One of its major highlights is the annual yam competition, where farmers present some of their biggest harvests for weighing, with the winner receiving a cash prize of about N3 million,” he said.
“The competition, introduced more than 15 years ago, was designed to encourage farmers to increase production and restore pride in agriculture.”
The President-General of Ebenebe, Raymond Arinze, described Arum Ji as an opportunity to thank God for a successful farming season and commended the unity enjoyed under the monarch’s reign.
Also speaking, the Women’s Wing President-General, Theresa Okonkwo, urged families to keep their children away from trouble, stressing that peace remained essential for the community’s development.
Among the visitors was National Youth Service Corps member, Femi Ologunwa, from Ondo State, who said witnessing an Igbo New Yam Festival for the first time was a memorable experience and praised the colourful display of culture and hospitality extended to guests.
