CYRIL MBAH, Abuja
Igbos resident in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have resolved to return the suspended Igbo Day celebration and use it as a day when the customs and traditions of the ethnic group will reverberate and take centre stage in the minds of residents of the territory.
The resumed Igbo Day will also be used to re-enact the traditions and cultural practices of the people and will help unite and reduce disputes among the factionalised Igbo leaders, especially in Gwagwalada, one of the six area councils of Abuja.
Elders of the Igbo community, who gathered to witness the first edition of Igbo Gadigide Cultural Festival held in Gwagwalada at the weekend promised to make peace in the interest of the people and to unite the people and rekindle the passion of their followers into fervent preparations for the return of the widely acclaimed Annual Igbo Day celebration in the territory.
The decision to resume Igbo Day celebration was taken by the Igbo elders led by Mazi Dibia, during the historic occasion when members of different factions of the Igbo community, who hitherto were bitter arch-rivals, gathered together and were seen embarrassing and greeting each other at the first edition of Igbo Gadigide Annual Cultural Festival launched by the FCT southeast community at the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Ground, Old Kutunku in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Spokesperson of the conveners of the programme, Chief (Mrs.) Princess Tobechukwu Okaforocha explained in an interview with newsmen that what motivated the group to launch the Initiative, which targeted young people and families was the desire to encourage youths to start speaking Igbo, appreciate their culture and start dressing in the traditional manner of southeasterners.
Evangelist Princess Tobechukwu stated that the initiative garnered enormous support and responses from the people and approval from many businessmen, especially Igbos in the Diaspora who gave both morale and financial support for the success of the noble project.
The event was attended by several participants from across the six area councils of Abuja and surrounding northern states.
The group’s leader expressed disappointment over the growing trend among Igbo parents and youths born in urban areas who refuse to speak Igbo and communicate only in English in total disregard for the Igbo language and she explained that no effort will be spared in reinventing the language and culture first in the FCT and across Nigeria.
Also speaking in an interview, a community leader of Old Kutunku, Ichie Onwuka Dibia stated that Igbos must unite to defend their traditions and language from the attack of western culture and civilization and he promised to do everything possible to enable the community restart the annual Igbo Day celebration.
The competitions between the youths were keenly contested and winners emerged as follows: Breaking of kolanut:
Okwuma Joshua Chibuike came 1st, Okechukwu David Olisaeloka came 2nd while Odika Oluebube Anthony came 3rd. Cooking competition: saw Obiakor Susan Oluebubechukwu as 1st, Anonye Angela Chinecherem came .2nd while Mba Loveth Ukamaka took the 3rd position.
In dancing competition: Ogbu Precious Okechi & others. came fourth, Nwaezeagu Vanessa-vivian Chimaobi came 1st, while Okike Uchechukwu Rosemary came 2nd with Obiechina Chinecherem in 4th and Oraekeyi Nnenna 3rd position.
Other activities that were featured included Cultural quiz Competition, which saw Dike Joy Chiamaka 2nd. Nworah Favour in the1st position, Nworah Chinazaekpere came.4th, Ugwuoke Chisom Divine finished in the 3rd position and Chukwudi Chisom Favour took the.5th positions. Cash prizes and various gift items were distributed to the winners.
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