In what was described by guests as “rare convergence of diverse cultural heritages of the Yorubas, Igbos, Hausas and Idoma ethnic groups in one day and under one roof”.
Lagosians last Saturday, November 16, 2024, witnessed a practical display of love, brotherhood, peaceful, harmonious co-existence and unique interwoven of rich colourful cultural heritages of four major ethnic Nationalities of the Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba and Idoma Communities.
Indeed, it was a cultural fiesta of some sort and traditional expositions of rich Colourful Nigerian cultures coming together in an ambience of peace and fun fare.
Tagged “Igbo Colloquium 2024 and first Ofala Celebration & Cultural Festival of Ndieze Ndigbo Oriade LCDA”, the auspicious event which was held at the popular First Bank Field, Satellite Town Lagos state, had as its center point and Theme: “Living Harmoniously With Our Host Community For Economic Development”.
The event which started at about 12 noon, turned out to be a great fiesta and roll call of dignitaries from the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and Idoma ethnic Nationalities.
Amongst the numerous guests at the occasion were the Executive Chairman of Oriade LCDA, Hon. Ramotalai Olarewaju Akinlola, ably represented by the Secretary to the local Government, SLG, Mr. Razaki Olojode; Royal Father of the Day, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Chibuike Eze Aganama 111, Igwe of Awkuzu; His Royal Highness Alhaji Suleiman (JP), the Emir/Sarkin Hausa Community of Kuje Amuwo land, Oriade LCDA and Speaker, Arewa Council Of Traditional Rulers And Chiefs; Baales Opetedo Ijegun Egba Ibass via Navy Town; Chairman of the Occasion, High Chief Peter Okafor, (Ikwelle Nzenwaku); Chief Barrister Fabian Onwughalu, former President Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State; Former Chief Security Officer, CSO BBA, Prince Celestine Chuks Emechebe; Chief Emmanuel Akajiugo, Chairman, Oraukwu Community in lagos ; Eze Anthony Chigbo Elui, Eze Ndigbo Amuwo Odofin, Eze Sunday Ojukwu, Eze Ndigbo Amuwo Odofin LGA, Eze Odumodu, Eze Prince Emeka Onuoha of Igbeleri Kingdom, Eze Oriaku of Surulere; Secretary Supreme Council Ndieze, Eze Edwin of Surulere; Eze Sunday Stephen Etolue, Ezendigbo na Badagry; Eze JJC Nwosu of Mushin; Chief Emeka Dickson Enemor, Vice president, Big Brother’s international Club; High Chief Linus Ike Onyemaechi (Ochiagha); Ugoeze Francisca Chukwuakalikamadu, Ugoeze Elizabeth Modozie; High Chief Obioma Nnazor, (Aguejemba na Ehihie), National Coordinator,bIgbo ruo Edozie Alaigbo World Wide; Chief Victor Nnotum; Chief Anayo Emmanuel Ohaegbu; High Chief Innocent Ofoleta; Chief Chinedu Okafor; Chief Robert Obasi; High Chief Jerry Njoku; Chief,Hon. Okechukwu Richard Ekweozor,(Asa Nwoke); Chief Vitalis O. Obiakor; Richie Odiegwu Chidi Pius; Prince Raphael Chukwuakalikamadu and Mazi Leo Obasi, amongst numerous others.
At the commencement of the event, the Chief Host, Eze Udo, Eze Chimereze Emmanuel Chukwuakalikamadu and his brother cum royal Eze son , Eze Chinedu Modozie, had mesmerized the marmount crowd that trooped to the venue with their display of elegant but expensive multi colored head gears, as they danced around the arena in their immaculate white upon white royal attires and kings paraphernalia, with musical support by traditional Igbo musical groups, led by the Chairman of the planning committee, Chief Chinedu Okafor, who ensured that every of their dance steps depicts royalty.
Traditional breaking of kolanut and prayers was conducted by Igwe Awkuzu from Anambra State, while assorted foods, drinks, wines and spirits were in surplus supply.
Guests were entertained by different masquerades from the South East, Cultural dance groups from Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Idoma extractions added color to the occasion.
Besides cooked foods of different cultural backgrounds, raw food items, such as yam tubers and live chickens were gifted to many guests as take away.
There was tight security arrangements,as the Army, police, Vigilante men and different para- Military outfits of lagos State government were on ground to boost security as well as protect lives and property.
In his speech after the opening remarks by the two vasertile Masters of Ceremony ,(MCs), led by Igbo Jonathan Ozioma, alias “Ekwe MBA” and Mr. Emeka, aka “Ara na zu nwa”, and short speech by the Chairman of the Occasion, High Chief Peter Okafor, Eze Chukwuakalikamadu, known for his age long campaign for peace and harmonious coexistence amongst ethnic Nationalities, explained that the monumental occasion was a great moment for stock taking and appraisal of our fate yesterday, today tomorrow.
According to Eze Ndigbo in Oriade LCDA, he thanked the Yoruba host community for their magnanimity, adding that there is urgent need for national forgiveness and reconciliation, hence the love of God Almighty should bind and not blind citizens .
He said: “This event gives us the opportunity to review our essence and particularly proffer ways and manner to improve on our common bonds, aspirations and mutual relationships with our host brothers “.
To cap it all, guests from far distances were provided with comfortable accommodations at Gossard hotel, just a stone throw away from the venue.
As at about 10pm, guests were still glued to their seats, enjoying the scintillating and down memory lane vibes from the live band and Disc Jockey groups .
See text of the Speech delivered by Eze Chukwuakalika mmadu Emmanuel, Ezendigbo Oriade LCDA, on his one year Anniversary Celebration:
Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to our one year Anniversary celebration and cultural Festival.
You have come from far and near and we thank God for bringing you safely to this monumental Occasion, He will as well lead us all back safely to our individual destinations in jesus name. Amen!
Obviously, today’s event doesn’t need much explanation or elucidation but for benefit of those who are not aware, may I seek your permission to highlight the nature and essence of today’s occasion.
Today is the rememberance of the date on which I was coronated as the Ezendigbo of Oriade LCDA. it is also a great moment of Stock taking and appraisal of our fate yesterday, today and tomorrow. This Event gives us the opportunity to review our cultural essence and particularly proffer ways and manner to improve on our common bonds, aspirations and mutual relationship with our host brothers etc. It is the moment to display and celebrate our ethics cultural diversities and heritages. (the hausas, yorubas, igbos, efiks and ibibio) etc.
With the Spirit Of “EBE ONYE BI KA O NA AWACHI” it is in line with this intending realization of a common unity, Understanding and mutual relationship with other tribes particularly our host brothers the yorubas the driving THEME of this year’s event is “LIVING HARMONIOUSLY WITH OUR HOST COMMUNITY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT”. This theme was chosen to remind us of the needs and benefits of living in peace with our host community.
Now let us forgive each other with all our prejudices resentments, tears, doubts and anxieties. let us bury our individual grudges if any, forge ahead where love, understanding and empathy shall be the driving force in our community development. As humans indebted to death and accountable to just one God , I mean God not religion. May I remind you, no Particular God for the igbos, hausas neither yorubas.But one single God of love and truth.
The love of God should therefore bind us, not blind us! in the devotion of another soul, we reach the depths of our own. In tears of another being, we perceive the anguish buried in our soul. We lift ourselves, when we lift another and hurt ourselves when we hurt others. Our lives are entwined and so are our souls.it is strange that many of us would be seen as strong believers in the teachings of the bible and Koran, even though our practical life doesn’t affirm this spiritual submission to the Almighty Father, it is my view that the manifestations of this spiritual inclination can best be demonstrated through our love for fellow human beings, and in our deliberate efforts at bringing happiness into the live of our neighbors.
if we can claim to love God or Allah which we do not see, why should we have problems loving human beings we relate with each day.? in fact, there is more to our collective humanity than we are often ready to acknowledge.
Finally, however, I must not fail to thank our host community for their magnanimity, to the hausas receive our loves.And to everyone present I praise you for making out time out of your tight schedules to be part of this I’m monumental event.
May God grant you journey mercy to your respective destinations. Amen.