The Imo State Ministry of Culture and Creative Arts, on Tuesday May 23, unrolled the red carpet to celebrate the World Day for Cultural Diversity 2023.
The event which took place at Imo State Cultural Centre annex-Imo International Exhibition Centre Owerri, Imo State, was under the leadership of Commissioner for Culture and Creative Arts, Mazi Uche Ohia (Ph.D.).
In his opening remark, the Commissioner commended the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma for his visionary policies which he said have created an enabling environment for the ministry to join the rest of the world in showcasing the rich culture of Imo State and other cultures in Nigeria.
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He noted that culture should serve as a fulcrum for peace and for building unity in diversity.
Ohia disclosed that the ministry had concluded plans to launch a multimedia initiative to rekindle the state’s heritage and revive time-honoured values to forestall succeeding generations being cut off from their roots.
The commissioner urged indigenes of Imo State to ensure their cultural heritage and values are rekindled, sustained, promoted, preserved and transmitted to their children.
He frowned at the new trend of young people adopting alien values and cultures in Igbo land when there is a rich and fascinating heritage.
Ohia lamented that most Igbo children being brought up in urban Nigeria including Owerri are unable to communicate fluently in Igbo language or in the dialect of their immediate community and opined that parents encouraging such misnomer are creating problems for the future of their descendants.
“Our music, dance, foods, arts and other symbols of our culture are being discarded by our youths in preference for foreign cultures”, adding that a situation where our culture and our heritage in all ramifications are not receiving adequate attention in schools and also in homes was highly worrisome as a tree cannot stand without its roots.
He charged parents and teachers to wake up and change what he described as ugly trend so as not to allow Igbo language, culture and entire heritage to go into extinction as predicted by UNESCO.
He disclosed that the 2023 World Culture Day celebration was a teaser for the Imo Cultural Festival, OZURUIMO being planned by the ministry to take place later in the year.
He called on all patriots, all lovers of culture and all communities in Imo State to join hands with government to ensure that the flag of our cultural heritage is kept flying from generation to generation.
The guest speaker at the event, Sir Dr. Okey Anukwuem, The Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties, a talented artist in his own right also exhibited his wonderful Artistic creations.
Dr. Anukwuem thanked the Commissioner for Culture and Creative Arts and the ministry for organizing the wonderful event.
He said that such events should be regular in the state to discover new talents and to showcase the creativity that abounds in the state as well as to provide entertainment to the populace inorder to reduce stress.
Also present at the occasion was the EZE IMO and Chairman of Imo State Traditional Institution and Community Policing, His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. Emmanuel C. Okeke (JP), who could not hide his admiration and appreciation of the rich cultural displays and exhibitions of traditional foods and art works that was showcased by the different troupes. He commended the Hon. Commissioner, Mazi Uche Ohia, the ministry and the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture for their effort toward ensuring the promotion of Igbo Culture and values. He assured the ministry of the support of traditional rulers. He explained that many royal fathers who wanted to could not attend the celebration because they were having a meeting at the same time that the event was taking place.
The event was graced by many special guests, Government officials, dignitaries and students from various institutions. Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism and Hospitality, Chief Eke Ikechukwu Henry (JP) popularly known as Ekeson was visibly in attendance helping to ensure the smooth running of the parade and the exhibitions and adding colour to the event with his ebullient dance style. The Chairman of the LOC and Ag. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Barr. Mrs Franca Otuokere and heads of departments both of the Ministry of Culture and Creative Arts and the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture as well as staff were present in their traditional attires. Some ministries such as Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Power, etc were represented by their Permanent Secretaries. Heads of Departments of our tertiary institutions and corporate bodies. Heads of Departments of history, theatre arts, fine and applied arts, etc from Imo and Anambra States attended the event. Heads of several institutions and agencies including the curator of the National Museum, Mr. Chamberlain Amadi Nwosu and management staff of the Museum were in attendance. The masters of ceremony, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Culture Ugomma Omeogo and the Public Relations Officer of ISCAC, Callistus Ahanonu added much humour to the event as they recognised guests and unveiled the programme.
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Creative artists were not left out, as they exhibited and showcased a rich variety of art works, drawings, and paintings that carried a lot of messages. Omenka ndi Imo Arts Gallery located within the complex with a rich collection of artwork on several media whose members include many award winning artists was a cynosure of all eyes. Many participants that visited the exhibition in the Omenka gallery were highly impressed with the creative talent of the artists and the beauty of the artworks.
The occasion was climaxed by the exhibition of different native foods by different restaurants that graced the occasion, like Geldine Kitchen, Evette Institute of Catering, Hotel Management, and Fashion Designing, Mbari Kitchen and many other food outlets and restaurants that also displayed their local cusines. The judges, led by Sir TUC Nwokonkwo had a hard time choosing the best cook particularly as the cooking competition was not restricted to one particular traditional delicacy. Contestants were allowed to choose what to cook and exhibit. At the end, Miss Chiamaka Obieze of Evette Institute emerged as winner of the first prize in the cooking contest. The winners included Fangche Ruth (Abacha), Okoro Henrietta (Achicha na fio fio), Perpetual Odilechukwu (Ehuru), Okike Amara chi (Miyar wake with tuwo-shinkafa), Chizoba Bethel (Bole), Emmanuel Goodness (Ji agworo-agwo), Chukwumma Ngozi (Native rice), Ebri Mary (Okpa), Chibuihe Immaculate (Usu oka) and Obiezie Chiamaka (Nkwobi).
It was a spectacular celebration the like of which has not been witnessed in Imo State in a long time.
The Historic event was concluded with the presentation of certificates of participation to all the participants and prizes/certificates to the winners of different contests.
Students and participants from Evette Institute swept away most of the prizes in the cooking contest with various traditional delicacies. They also exhibited a high sense of organisation, discipline and neatness which earned them commendation from all and sundry in the event.
