By Michael Ovat
The 2026 Afiaolu festival which is an age long annual celebration of new yam harvests in Nnewi, Anambra State came to a spectacular close on Friday, 28th August 2026 with the presentation of seven trophies and multiple cash awards totalling about N10 million to high-performing Nnewi youths who participated in seven sporting competitions that were sponsored by eminent and prominent philanthropists and stakeholders of Nnewi community, Ichie Kenneth Maduakor, MD/CEO KM Oil & Gas Limited, Chief (Dr) Ngozi Ukachukwu, MD/CEO Gific Printing Solutions Limited and Dame Princess Esom Nwafor-Orizu, the daughter of Nigeria’s first Senate President and the All Progressive Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwisigo Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.
The competitions primarily aimed to promote the Youth development initiative of the Ejim Emmanuel Ucheagwu led Nnewi Youth Forum is anchored on the Solution agenda of governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
“It was also instituted as a mark of honour to the long-serving Igwe of Nnewi, HRM Igwe (Dr) KON Orizu, CON, JP.
“At the male football section where Ichie Maduakor staked prize money of N5.5 million with N1million for the league winners from each quarter of Nnewi followed by N1 million and N500,000 for the winner and runner-up respectively.
In the champions league played among champions of each quarter, Ndiakwu emerged from Otolo while Ndiakwu-Anozie were champions of Uruagu. Umunnealam won in Umudim and Abubor came victorious in Nnewichi.
The top price for the champions league was won by Umunnealam after defeating Nnewichi in a pulsating final that took place on Sunday, 30th August at the Nnewi High School Football Arena. In all, over 80 matches were played with 45 villages participating in the competition. Out of the number, 15 villages registered in Otolo, 13 in Uruagu, 13 in Umudim, and 4 in Nnewichi.
In the female football section which was bankrolled by Anambra role model for the girl child and the grand patron of Nnewi Youth Forum Ladies Wing, Dr Ukachukwu, with N3 Million prize money, Otolo won the coveted trophy while Umudim won the female volleyball tournament which was sponsored by Dame Nwafor-Orizu to the tune of N1.5 Million.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, the President of Nnewi Youth Forum, Comrade Ejim Emmanuel Ucheagwu thanked the sponsors for their magnanimity and praised the youths for the keen contests and vibrancy that was maintained throughout the duration of the competitions.
He commended governor Soludo for setting the pace of excellence in leadership and providing the enabling environment that has activated the Nnewi Youth Forum to flourish.
He said, ‘Our Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, the Solution Governor, who laid a solid foundation for us to excel, Our Mayor, Hon Echezona Anazodo who is ever present, supportive and instrumental to the successes recorded by Nnewi youths; Our esteemed and respected Igwe, Dr KON Orizu III, whose wisdom and guidance has brought us this far; Chief Ifeanyi Ekwulugwo of Iycon Charity Foundation, for his consistent and immeasurable support; Our amiable sponsors and partners; and several others too numerous to mention; I thank you all for your sacrifices for the progress of Nnewi youths.
“Ucheagwu also praised the Chairman of Nzukora Nnewi, Prince Jude Osumuo for his innovative leadership which has attracted several corporate interests and sponsorships to the Afiaolu festival.
The event was witnessed by a crowd of Nnewi people and visitors as well as dignitaries that include, the Executive Chairman of Nnewi-North local government area, Hon Echezona Anazodo, the traditional ruler of Nnewi, HRH Igwe (Dr) KON Orizu III represented by the Crown Prince, Barr. Obi Orizu, the traditional heads (Obis) of the three quarters of Nnewi, the Chairman of Nnewi Town Union, Nzukora Nnewi, Prince Jude Osumuo, amongst others
