By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
Statesman and former Nigeria’s Minister for Health, Dr. Tim Menakaya (Ide Umunnya), on Saturday, celebrated the New Yam Festival (iwa ji) at his chukwudumebi home in Umunnya, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State. The festival, put together by Dr. Tim and his wife, Mrs. Ogo Tim-Menakaya, Esq., was well attended by the couple’s friends, kindred, family and associates.
The former Minister, who only recently marked his 92nd birthday, served as Health Minister under Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He is also a founding member of APGA, an industrialist of repute, and a foremost advocate of aku luo uno. A community leader of immense dexterity, Dr. Menakaya is a man of many parts, with solid footprints in medical care, founding Menax Hospital in Onitsha, a leading healthcare provider in Anambra State and beyond in the recent past. He also has footprints in industry, founding Tempo Mills, as well as footprints in finance and in politics.
In his opening prayer, Ven. Emegwa, from Uga, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, thanked God for the life of Dr. Tim and for his wife, Mrs. Ogo Tim-Menakaya. He also told a story of how, despite not being related to Dr. Tim, he was one of those who enjoyed a 5-year (some 10 years) scholarship from Dr. Tim Menakaya in 1981; a testament to the enduring service and philanthropy of Dr. Tim Menakaya.
The new yam festival attracted many diverse reputable professionals and stakeholders who graced the occasion to felicitate with Dr. Tim and his wife, Ogo Tim-Menakaya, Esq. Some of those in attendance were the former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Hon. Justice Paul Obidigwe, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, an industrialist, Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somto Udeze, Chief Uzu Okagbue, former Chief of Protocol to the former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Nwokoye, former Principal Secretary to the former Governor of Anambra State, Hon. Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, former three-term member of Anambra State House of Assembly and former Commissioner for Special Duties, the President General of Dennis Memorial Grammar School Old Boys Association, Dr. Sunny Nwachukwu, Venerable Anikwenwa, Pastor Ejike Nwachukwu, Esq., the leadership of Umunnya Development Union, led by their President, Chief Sir Chinedu Ekwugha, in company of the Union’s Secretary General, Mr. Chidi Okafor, Financial Secretary, Mr. Sunday Mbanugo, and the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Peter Onuigbo, among many others guests.
In his thanksgiving prayer, Dr. Tim Menakaya thanked God for the gift of plentiful harvest and the grace to celebrate the festival. He then asked that God continue to keep and shower His blessings on all and continue to guide us towards abundant harvest in the years ahead. Guests were then treated to sumptuous delicacies to their absolute satisfaction.
New Yam Festival is a remarkable celebration of productivity following the harvest of new yam. For Ndi Igbo, it symbolizes thanksgiving for the harvest, which prepares the ground for another fruitful season in the coming year.
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