In the south-east, you may achieve all the academic and career laurels but when the title of a yam master (king of yam) is added to you, the world would bow in a different style. This goes to show how revered the title can be and the aura yam commands in the zone.
Now, a prominent environmentalist and yam farmer, Uchenna Rowland Onyeizu, has been crowned as the Ezeji Oha Ngwa by an elite group of yam farmers under the auspices of the Oha Ngwa Ezeji title holders’ Union.
The coronation ceremony, which took place in Abayi Ohanze, in Obingwa LGA of Abia State, was in recognition of the outstanding performance of Onyeizu as a yam farmer and a strong pillar for the building of a new generation of yam farmers.
The crowning ceremony of the new Ezeji Onyeizu, backed by his father, Rowland Onyeizu, an Ezeji also, who is a surveyor, witnessed the establishment of a special mentorship programme to empower and support young yam farmers.
Speaking at the occasion, Onyeizu, a doctorate degree holder, explained that the mentorship programme was designed for those who have already demonstrated commitment to yam cultivation and were eager to expand their knowledge, improve their farming techniques, and elevate their agricultural practices professionally.
He stated the mentorship aims to nurture the next generation of Ezeji (master yam farmers) in all ramifications.
Onyeizu said that 10 beneficiaries were given 20 barns of yam each for cultivation and an additional 50,000 naira to support their farming.
The newly crowned Ezeji listed the qualifications that would make yam farmers eligible for the programme. Beneficiaries should own at least one plot of farmland and provide a short video as proof; reside in Abia State; and actively engage in yam farming.
The beneficiaries should also provide their personal details and physically make themselves available for the programme’s commencement.
Further, the beneficiaries were required to be willing to be mentored by the organisers of this initiative.
Onyeizu advised: “If you are passionate about yam farming, eager to learn, and ready to take it to the next level, this is your chance to be part of a life-changing mentorship experience.”
The new Ezeji pledged to support small-holder farmers in growing their operations and becoming training centres for youth as part of its plan to advance food security and promote youth employment.
He stressed, “We need to change the orientation of our people towards agriculture, get them to embrace farming to feed themselves, and get our youths gainfully engaged in large numbers.”
Chukwuemeka Obia, the President of Ezeji Ohangwa, regretted that their members had dropped drastically because young men and women were turning away from agriculture. “We expect the new Ezeji to do his best to encourage the young to return to agriculture.”
He noted that Ezeji title holders were highly respected in the society.
He said; “In Igbo culture, some people are crowned kings of yam (Eze ji) based on their commitment to yam farming and production. Yam cultivation is very important in many parts of Igbo land as farmers use it to earn income.”
Gideon Ihejirika, a chief and one of the beneficiaries of the mentorship programme, promised to bring in good returns at the end of the farming season.
Kelechi Nkire, and engineer and chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the Ezeji Coronation, said the objective was to boost yam farming in the area and ensure its sustainability.
He affirmed that the Ezeji title was prestigious and reserved for only those building 20 barns on yams and more.
He emphasised: “This title is not given to people based on wealth or influence. In olden days, a rich man’s wealth in Igboland was measured by the number of yams he had; apart from his wives and children.
“Before Ezeji title will be given to a farmer in Igbo land, the person must have up to 20 barns of yams.”
“If all requirements are met by the person who wished to bear the title, he will call the members of his family or kindred to show them his Oba Ji (Barn of Yam). If there is an old Ezeji (king of yam), he will advise on what to do next and lead to the remaining stage.”
