Anambra woman celebrates birthday with cutting of yam instead of cake

By Okechukwu Onuegbu 

The first female Artist in the defunct Eastern Nigeria comprising the present five States in Southeast and four in South-South geopolitical zones, Chief Dr Mrs Flora Ifeanyichukwu Nkemakonam Ilonzo recently marked her 79 birthday celebrations with new yam festival.

Ilonzo, a natural healer renowned worldwide for her expertise in Phytomedicine, held the event on September 24, 2025 at the Centre for Psychic and Healing Administration (CPHA- Nigeria), Awka, Anambra State capital.

Although a low-key event, the new yam cum birthday festival was attended by some board members of her company, CPHA, the media, the religious and political leaders, family members, relatives, friends, fans, business associates and others.

Ilonzo, in her charismatic nature, shunned the English cake and cut roasted yams later eaten with ukpaka/Ugba (African oil bean seed), as well as served the guests with sumptuous yam poliage, meat, garden eggs, zobo ( hibiscus tea or roselle juice) and others.

Speaking at the occasion, Ilonzo reiterated the need for Africans to feed on natural food such as plants, fruits and vegetables, which according to her, provides the necessary nutrients needed for longevity, wisdom and knowledge.

The woman, who has been championing a healthy living through the African diets via radio programmes, Nri Anyi bu ogwu anyi (our food is our medicine), stressed the importance of ukpaka/Ugba (African oil bean seed), noting that consuming it would not only boost our immunity but fight diseases, supports digestion, heart and others.

 

She also enjoined the Igbo nation to start cultivating mkpurumpku ji, a yam specie that are usually small, noting that they contain nutrients good for health, especially in prevention and management of cancer and other chronic illnesses.

The Traditional Prime minister (Onowu) of Ebenebe, Awka North LGA, Anambra State, Chief Joe Nwegwu, while cutting the yam on her behalf, praised Ilonzo's wisdom and knowledge of African culture and tradition, which according to him, was why she chose yam to cutting of cake.

"This is a sign of been a good Igbo woman. We started from cutting and eating a roasted yam instead of cake, to eating a yam poliage. This is a wake-up call on the Igbo nation to reduce the rate in which they consume junks in the name of celebrations and modernism. 

"We need to also teach our children efficacy of African food, plants and vegetables because there healthy benefits are numerous to mention. We must learn and also teach our children how to communicate effectively in Igbo language, give them Igbo name for identity, unification and healthy living," he added.

Also speaking, Professor Raphael Nnajiofor Okigbo, a professor of Botany from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, hinted that Chief Ilonzo's teachings and natural herbal healing practise inspired him into researching in that direction, and it has impacted positively on his health and academic community.

"For her birthday to be celebrated with new yam, further communicated her love for nature. August and September are the months the Igbo mostly celebrate yam as king of crops which is also beneficial to our health. I commend her for that. She is thanking God for gifts of life and longevity. The nature has been too kind to her and she has never failed in promoting the cause to the world. I encourage people to eat yam rather than cake," Okigbo added.

On her part, Mrs Obiageri Odiaka, a civil servant, thanked God for the gift of Ilonzo, who according to her, has through her lectures and philanthropism liberated many from chronic illnesses and unhealthy cultures.

"It was through her free lectures I learnt how to manage chronic health related problems using odaa opuee (Bryophyllum pinnatum). We are happy to be with her today to learn more about our local food and pray God to give her longer life and wisdom to impact more lives," she stated.