File photo: Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya
The Special Adviser to Governor Muhammadu Yahaya on Inter-Community Relations, Chief Chidebelu Ewuzie, has called for increased participation in farming to improve food security and create employment opportunities.
Ewuzie pointed out that agriculture is a viable means of addressing hunger and expanding economic opportunities, and thus, urged Gombe residents to take advantage of opportunities in the sector.
“Embrace farming. Agriculture is a sustainable means of addressing hunger and creating employment opportunities,” Ewuzie advised.
He maintained that increased participation in agricultural activities would help strengthen livelihoods and support food production.
The S.A gave this advise while leading the Gombe State-based Igbo community to celebrate the 2026 New Yam Festival.
The event which
brought together traditional leaders, elders, farmers, families and other community members, Arewa PUNCH gathered, was celebrated to express gratitude for a successful harvest, just as it also aims to seek blessings for prosperity and a bountiful farming season.
According to the Gov. Yahaya aide, the festival does not only mark the harvest season but equally promotes the Igbo cultural heritage and unity.
Ewuzie disclosed that the annual New Yam Festival remains an important cultural celebration among the Igbo, stressing, “it symbolises gratitude for the harvest, communal solidarity and hope for greater prosperity in the coming farming season.”
He described yam as more than a staple food among the Igbo, noting that “it represents wealth, prosperity, hard work, fertility and cultural identity.”
Ewuzie added that the festival provided an opportunity for members of the community to preserve their cultural traditions while strengthening unity and peaceful coexistence with other ethnic groups in the state.
The Special Adviser, meanwhile, commended the Yahaya administration for its development initiatives, particularly in agriculture and healthcare, saying the projects had positively affected the lives of residents.
“Governor Yahaya’s administration has performed very well, particularly in the agriculture and health sectors,” he said.
He urged members of the Igbo community to embrace farming and contribute to efforts to improve food security and create employment opportunities.