By Ochuko Akuopha

ASABA – THE people of Abavo kingdom, Ika South Local Government Area,  Delta State, have commenced their annual new yam festival.

The commencement of the festival with the grand finale coming up on 6 October, 2024, was announced by the Obi of the Abavo kingdom, HRM King Uche Irenuma in line with the custom and tradition of the kingdom.

A statement released by the palace and signed by the Chief of Staff to the monarch, Chief Yusuf Odige, the Odafin-ako-eze of Abavo kingdom, noted that the monarch urged the people of Abavo to use the opportunity to come together as one family to celebrate another year of fruitful harvest.

The statement noted that the festival would usher  the planting of one hundred  trees “within the now designated Green Zone Area.

to serve as the lungs of the area at the Historic Abavo Forest and wildlife reserve.(Ogbe-enya-Nze) as a way of combating some of the changes we have noticed on our environment as a people.”

The statement said: “The palace calls on the good people of Abavo kingdom to continue to remain law abiding as well as continue to support the programs and policies of Governor Sheriff in repositioning the State towards a greater heights.

“The traditional ruler also used the opportunity created by this year’s celebration to plead to the State Government to call on the contractor handling the Umutu-Abavo-Agbor end of the warri -Uromi-Abuja federal highway rehabilitation to as a matter on urgency return to site as the deplorable conditions of the road has killed the economics lives of the area and contributed to insecurity along the highway.

“He called on Abavo people to use this year festival celebrations to reach out to their families, neighbors, friends and loved ones so as to foster oneness and closeness among our people.

“This year’s celebrations usher in the planting of one hundred (100) tress within the now designated Green Zone Area to serve as the lungs of the area at the Historic Abavo Forest and wildlife reserve.(Ogbe-enya-Nze) as a way of combating some of the changes we have noticed on our environment as a people.

“The Monarch calls on his people to support Non-Governmental Organizations working within the area in combating the effects of climate change.”