Ayaka Igbo Marks New Yam Festival, Celebrates with Widows in Nando

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By Nkechi Ikenwoke

The grate son of Abubeagu Nando and businessman in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Onyeka Akwueze also known as 'Ayaka Igbo Niile' has recently marked his New Yam Festival with the windows and less privileged in his village.

The gathering which took place in his compound was commenced with prayers, officiated by Catholic priest, Rev. Father Fred Ndimaeme who commended Chief Akwueze over his love for humanity and widows in particular and also advised women to remain faithful to God and good follows of Christ.

Items shared among windows include one thousand tubers of Yam, five hundred Chickens, Bags of rice and Money which turned all the women into a mood of joy as well as celebration even as they thanked and prayed for long life and prosperity in his entire household.

Speaking to pressmen, Chief Akwueze said he always remember widows every New Yam Festival including Christmas and Easter festive period for over twenty one years now which makes the women to turn out in Mass for collection of wrappers, bags of rice and many more.

"It gives me joy that I use to give especially widows; the less privileges such attention and gifts. I started with a bag of rice in 2000 which I shared to them in measuring cups....."

"By the grace of God today, I share up to five hundred bags. I doesn't hire musicians for entertainments or mount canopies. Instead, I convert the expenses to what the windows will benefit for their living. I am doing it to please God. You can see them going home happily and grateful. I have helped a lot of people who also calls me on phone to support me"

"As a titled man, today made it official day for me to start eating new yam which can not start without the widows. That is why I have shared tubbers of yam and chicken among them to enable them celebrate with me in their various homes. This has made many people to call me 'Okpataokeluora'. I don't worship any Oracle or have a secret cardboard in my home, No! My heart is open", he said.
Chief Akubeze further stated that he is a politician with no interest to have any position in government but always found joy in it to remember the windows in his own capacity adding that his late mother was once a widow after the death of his father over eleven years ago.

He also urged all the well to do men in the community and beyond to impact on lives of the needy than to spend lavishly in occasions just to obtain firmness or personality in the eyes of people.

In an interview, one of the beneficiary, Mrs Udekwesili Anakansi who is also a widow said she was invited to benefit in the free will gifts given to them by Ayaka Igbo.
She further expressed her gratitude and prayed that God will replenish his pocket in thousands folds.

"Since he remembered that the windows should eat just as God has blessed him, his pocket shall never run dry. I don't have husband again. It has been long my husband died which brought about hardship and suffering in my family. Our marriage was blessed with seven children", she concluded.

In attendance in the gathering were the former President General of Nando, Chief Ibekwe Onuorah, Nando First Indigenous Catechist, Clement Emelife, elders of the community, Abubeagu youths among many other visitors.

The widows

Tubers of yam and chicken share among widows

One of the beneficiaries seen appreciating Chief Akwueze while receiving her bag of rice