Ibore-Irrua, Agog, As Chief Ugbesia Celebrates New Yam Festival
By: Oriaifoh Godwins
All roads led to Ibore-Irrua, on Friday and Saturday the 14th and 15th of November 2025, where Chief Tr. Dr. Abudu Ugbesia, JP, the Chairman, Edo state Traditional Medicines Board, TMB, celebrated the 2925 New Yam Festival.
Speaking with Media men at the venue of the event, High Chief Ugbesia said; "I am delighted to see all these people that have come to celebrate with me. It is because of the love they have for me that made them to come".
"The New Yam Festival, is a festival that I celebrate every year and I am glad that this year's festival, has turned out to be a very memorable one..."
This year's celebration of the new Yam festival by high Chief Traditional Doctor Abudu Ugbesia, where people from different walks of life, and people from far and wide, were not only present, but were actively present, to celebrate with Chief Ugbesia, at his country home, in Aforkharia quarters, proved beyond every reasonable doubt, that he is a man honoured, not only at home, but also honoured abroad.
Amongst the array of those in attendance to celebrate with high Chief Ugbesia, included the Ifesowopo Tradomedical Association of Nigeria, the National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicines practitioners, NANTMP, Edo state Chapter, the National Association of the Elderly People of Nigeria, the Igbo Community and more.
Delivering their Goodwill messages on behalf of a Ojirrua of Irrua and the Okaijesan of Esanland, High Chief Thomas Aghemelo, who led other high ranking Chiefs from the Okaijesan Palace to the event, said; "Alhaji W. O Momodu, ll, JP, the Ojirrua of Irrua Kingdom and the Okaijesan of Esanland, sent us to extend his felicitations to Chief Abudu a worthy son of Irrua kingdom, on this occasion of his celebration of the New Yam Festival". High Chief Aghemelo also acknowledged and hailed the efforts of Chief Ugbesia in the last Edo state gubernatorial election that saw the emergence of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the winner.
High Chief Ogbomo, the Chairman of the Association of Elderly People, Edo state chapter, also on behalf of the Association felicitate high Chief Ugbesia for the successful celebration of the New Yam Festival.
Others that equally spoke to express their felicitation with High Chief Ugbesia, include Ifesowopo Tradomedical Practitioners, the National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners, NANTMP, and the staff of Edo State Traditional Medicines Board.
Speaking on behalf of the members of staff of Edo State TMB, the Board's Secretary, Mrs. Uwaifo Vivian Ganiyat, described High Chief Abudu Ugbesia as an innovative, productive and selfless man who has been able to move Edo state Traditional Medicine Board to a new level with his innovative acumen, saying; "...he relates with people without discriminating. As you can see with me here, are Yoruba people that came all the way from Benin to celebrate with him".
The celebration of the New Yam Festival, by High Chief Abudu Ugbesia, comes up yearly, every November.