The award-winning Nwoke Udi Palm Wine Bar on Abakaliki Street, Awka , Anambra State came alive over the weekend as it hosted its annual New Yam Festival, drawing large crowds of customers and culture enthusiasts.
The three-day celebration climaxed on Sunday, 8 November 2026, with a special stage appearance by the bar’s Chief Executive Officer, Mazi Ndubisi Eze, who expressed deep appreciation to patrons who turned out in numbers.
Addressing the gathering, Mazi Eze reflected on the bar’s decade-long presence on Abakaliki Street.
“This is our ten years in Abakaliki Street and you people made it possible,” he said.
He reaffirmed the establishment’s commitment to accessibility, stating that the management would continue to ensure that “whenever you come in, even if you have one thousand naira, there must be something for you to eat.”
The CEO emphasised that the New Yam Festival goes beyond entertainment.
“The New Yam Festival is not just to entertain our customers but a keen attempt aimed at keeping our culture and tradition alive,” he noted.
He paid special tribute to his staff and management team for their resilience and dedication, adding a distinctive philosophy on shared prosperity:
“You people will be greater than me as long as you are working hard, because if i can make my workers rich, I know i will automatically become even richer. My workers are not supposed to be poor; when they are rich, I become richer too.”
To customers, he offered prayers for continued success, observing that patronage thrives when people prosper. “You will keep making more money because it is only when you make money that you come to patronise us. We will keep praying for you to be successful in whatever that is good.”
The festival featured a lively line-up of performers across the three days, including MC Abuja, InHouse Superstar DJ Banks, DJ Wendy, a special appearance by Juju Sunday cronner , DJ Buchiano, High Star Dancers, and MC Silent Talkertive.
Sunday’s programme stood out as the high point as Awka-born Ogene cultural musician Ausuma Malaika took the stage alongside masquerades, transforming the venue into a carnival arena.
The grounds filled to capacity from the entrance to the stage area, creating a fun-filled atmosphere that celebrated Igbo cultural heritage.
Throughout the three days, guests were treated to free roasted yam garnished with utazi leaves, red oil, and ukpaka, a traditional gesture that underscored the festival’s communal spirit.
The management of Nwoke Udi Palm Wine Bar expressed gratitude to the Anambra State Government led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo for providing a conducive and secure environment that ensured the safety of guests who travelled from far and near to participate in the annual event.
The successful hosting of the 2026 New Yam Festival further cemented Nwoke Udi Palm Wine Bar’s reputation as both a hospitality landmark and a custodian of local culture in Awka.
