The Vice-Chancellor of Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN), Professor Christopher Ogbogbo, has urged the Anioma people to use the New Yam Festival to appreciate God and preserve their cultural heritage.
He made the call during his celebration of the festival at the university’s campus in Ibusa, Delta State.
Ogbogbo described the festival as an important occasion for the Anioma people to celebrate the harvest season and express gratitude to God for a bountiful yield.
He said the celebration also provided an opportunity for ADUN to appreciate God for its intellectual and institutional achievements in 2026.
“For ADUN, it is an opportunity to tell God thank you for the harvest of intellectual products, including academic publications, research grants won by professors, and the graduation of quality and qualified students,” he said.
He added that the institution was also grateful for its individual and collective progress throughout the year.
The Vice-Chancellor described the festival as a critical aspect of Anioma culture, explaining that yam symbolises all agricultural products harvested during the year.
He disclosed that ADUN was the first and only university in the world with a Centre for Anioma Studies.
Ogbogbo said the university was committed to leading research and promoting excellence in the study of Anioma cultural heritage.
He commended those who joined him in celebrating the festival and promised a grander celebration in 2027.
The Director of the Centre for Anioma Studies, ADUN, Dr. Evelyn Onwaniban, said the Anioma people celebrated the festival regardless of whether the harvest was bountiful.
Speaking with members of the university’s Information, Communication and Protocol Unit, Onwaniban explained that the festival promoted institutional bonding and communal celebration.
She added that it also showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Anioma people.
“As a centre, we will use this opportunity to document the rich cultural displays for future generations,” she said.
Another participant, Professor Christy Isitua, described the gift of life as the greatest blessing and a reason to appreciate God.
Among those present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isa Rambo Saidu; the Registrar, Navy Captain Amed Tijani Abdulahi; and the University Librarian, Navy Commander Emmanuel Ameobi.
Other senior management staff of the institution also attended the celebration.
