Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The Chairman of the Unity Caretaker Committee of the Benue State chapter of All Progressive Congress, Chief Benjamin Omale has lauded the massive turnout of people at the 2025Igede Agba New Yam Festival Celebration.
The Igede Agba New Yam Festival Celebration is a proud showcase of the Igede people’s rich cultural heritage, agricultural excellence, and communal unity. It also stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience, pride, and unity of the Igede people, whose traditions continue to thrive amidst evolving challenges.
The event, held amidst great fanfare and tradition, brought together farmers, traditional leaders, government officials, and community members to celebrate the harvest season and reaffirm their shared commitment to cultural and agricultural development.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief Dr. Omale emphasized the central role of agriculture in both the Igede community and the broader Benue State economy. He noted that festivals like Igede Agba New Yam Festival are not only cultural milestones but also vital platforms for promoting agricultural heritage, encouraging local investment, and fostering unity among the people.
Chief Dr. Omale stated that. “As we gather to celebrate the fruits of the land, let us also renew our collective resolve to invest in farming, empower our rural communities, and preserve the cultural values that bind us together.”
Furthermore, the APC chairman stated that the participation of top state leaders reaffirm
s the crucial intersection of culture, governance, and grassroots development in Benue State.
He added that the massive turnout and kinds words of participants to Governor Hyacinth Alia is a sign that the people of Igede and the entire Zone C are happy with the administration of the governor.
Omale said that it also showed the acceptability and readiness of the Igede people to vote massively for the governor in 2027.
He pleaded with youths in Igede to shun social vices and always believe in the administration of Father Hyacinth Alia whom he described as a youth-friendly administrator.
He however promised that the administration will continue to develop the area as it has been doing since inception in 2023.
Omale alongside other leaders participated in traditional rites and festivities, further strengthening the bond between the government and the grassroots. Their joint presence at the festival underscores the APC’s commitment to cultural preservation, community engagement, and the empowerment of rural economies through agriculture.