COME SEE YAMS 2026: FR PHILIP OKOYE HARVESTS A TUBER OF YAM WEIGHING 100.65KG

Very Rev Fr Philip Uche Okoye (known as Philoko), an indigene of Igbo-Ukwu community in Aguata LGA who is the Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church in Akpo, Aguata LGA, Anambra State of Ekwuluobia Diocese has celebrated his 10th-anniversary of yam farming as a Catholic Priest alongside the 9th edition of his annual "Come See Yams" on Sunday, August 16,2026 at Akpo.

The event started with Eucharistic celebration of the Holy Mass presided over by Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia - CADEK, His Eminence Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpalaeke, represented by the Chancellor of Ekwulobia Diocese, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Nwankwo and concelebrated  by many priests.

During a homily, Fr Nwankwo thanked God for the gifts of Fr Okoye on the Church and humanity especially using his method of yam farming to improve the Church.

 The Chancellor noted that God called Abraham  and they went in agreement  with the aim of teaching obedience, faith and trust in God.

He asked the people to find out the gifts God gave each of them for humanity.

"We should think of better and more efficient ways of doing things",The Chancellor stated.

Speaking after the celebration of Mass, Fr Okoye went down the memory lane on how he started cultivating yams as a Catholic Priest from the Obeledu community and mentioned many structures he had built with the proceeds at different parishes he stayed at.

Fr Okoye said, "2018 was the fencing of the entire Holy Trinity Parish compound. The individual parishioners had only donated blocks for the project.

"In 2019 the construction of the parapet of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Obeledu was fixed"

"2021/22,the Chapel at Holy Family Parish Akpo was built .

2023/ 24 the Marian Grotto at Holy Family Akpo was built. In 2025 the Parish Secretariat at the Holy Family Parish Akpo was built etc".

Fr Okoye said that he is celebrating his 10th year of venturing into yam farming as a Catholic Priest.

He noted that his expectations in 2027 will be a bigger harvest.

"I am comfortable with the much I am doing in yam farming as a Catholic Priest. The Anambra State government could help farmers by providing modern farming /seedlings to the farmers for improvements.

"Whoever comes around and is willing to learn,am there"

The Chairman of the occasion, Nze Uchenna Okpalanwa(Okwute),

CEO of Cornerstone Global Ventures,Lagos noted that from the records so far, the 100.65kg is the biggest yams cultivated and  harvested in Anambra State by Fr Okoye whom he described as  a perfect gift to the Church and humanity.

In his own views, the Mayor of Aguata Local Government Area and the All  Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Aguata Federal Constituency, Prince Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike commended Fr Okoye for his method of yam farming which he is using to help humanity and the Church.

He noted that the Aguata LGA under his watch had sponsored 20 youths to learn modern agriculture at Songhai farming in livestock rearing.

In their separate speeches, Igwe Arch Jonathan Obiajulu Okpalaezeaja(Nnamoshimili 2), the traditional ruler of Akpo  in Aguata LGA, Dr Joe Okey Okpalaobi(Akunwanne), Sir Iloetonwa noted that Fr Philip Okoye is a blessing to the Parish, the Church and humanity with his gifts of yam farming which he has used the proceeds in building many structures in Holy Family Catholic Church Akpo and assisting the less privileged.

We will remember that the "Philoko Method" of yam farming is a

Seasonless Farming which was initiated by Fr Okoye, cultivating and harvesting multiple yams within a single year at the same land.

The "COME SEE YAMS 2026"exhibition attracted personalities from all walks of life, including the Mayor of Aguata Local Government Area and the All  Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Aguata Federal Constituency, Prince Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike , Igwe of Akpo, Igwe Arc. Jonathan Okpalaezecha, parishioners of Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Fr. Philip's former parish), Obeledu, in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra, indigenes of Igboukwu (Fr. Philip's kinsmen and women), parishioners from St. Michael's parish Nanka among others.

Highlights of the occasion were entertainments, dance groups and distribution of yams to the aged, sick, and less privileged in the community.