OFAAC Briefs Press On The 19th Celebration Of Anioma Cultural Festival On April 21
The Organization's President, Arc. Kester Ifeadi in a press conference at Orchid Hotel Asaba, recalled that the planned edition of 2024 was called off as a result of the unexpected demise of the former Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, the Omu Anioma/Omu Okpanam, Obi Martha Dunkwu as Patron and Matron respectively; while he also paid tributes to other founding members of the Organisation.
Ifeadi however, expressed optimism that the Organization in conjunction with the eminent Anioma Traditional Rulers were ready to showcase the best cultural outing of all times in this year's edition of the festival.
Meanwhile, the abridged version of the excerpts of his media address reads as follows below;
"With utmost humility and sense of responsibility, I welcome you all to this press conference, especially our Traditional Rulers who are the custodians of our culture and traditions, our Board of Directors, members of the Organization and gentlemen of the press.
"I recall that sometime last year, we gathered in this form, where we told the entire world that our festival that has held for over 20 years was beng temporarily suspended in honour of these great men and women. Today, we pay tribute to all of them and many more that we have lost in the cause of this campaign.
"Over the years, we have made some landmark achievements. Our traditional dress has become a common place now. Our musical instruments and dance styles have become prominent. We were recently discussing with Traditional Rulers on the need to invest in the training of our young people in fluting skills, believing many of them would benefit from it; because that is also a key aspect of our culture that is dying or becoming extinct. Anywhere we are, the flute (Akpele) has become our signature tune. Most of you who are familiar with the Nigerian Passport know that before this recent one that some of us are still carrying, you will see what Anioma contributed in it. There are two Anioma Cultural dance groups that were depicted in that passport.The fact that OFAAC has provided a platform for the unity of our people is worth mentioning.
"Anioma Cultural Festival is a festival where you have the Ika man, the Ndokwa man, the Aniocha man, the Oshimili man and the Ukwuani man, all dancing together in happiness. All our Traditional Rulers from these zones making up Anioma are united on one common purpose under the platform of Anioma Cultural Festival. Those are part of what OFAAC has created as an initiative and we are very proud of that. The festival has also continued to act as a bridge between the different cultures in Delta State. This is evident by the attendance of Paramount Rulers from other parts of the State, including the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Pere Akugbene Mien and others who have in the past celebrated with us.
Beyond that, we have the micro-credit scheme for our members. We have the death insurance policy for some of our members whom it has pleased God to call home. We have the Anioma essence and so many other ways of propagating our culture that we have sustained for the past 22 years. So, this is a veritable opportunity to appreciate all stakeholders in this Organization for all we have achieved. I pray that God gives us the strength to do even more for our people.
"We are going to give prizes and people have started donating the prizes as we speak. We are going to have our food on display and also come up with interesting varieties of our cuisine. So, this year is promising to be among the best, and we encourage everybody to be a part of it. We also promised you last year, that this year, we would come back with vengeance. This year, by the special grace of the Almighty God, we are happy that we are back and will do what we are known to do best. That is, the flagship of our Organization - the Anioma Cultural Festival. This is an Organization that has withstood all odds because it is non-partisan. It is purely to promote the identity of our people, because we know who we are. We are a unique set of people bounded together by geography and culture; and we are very proud of it.
"I want to appreciate some of our sponsors over the years, who have been very magnanimous and who are still standing firmly with us. Most importantly is the Grand Oak (Distillers of the Seaman's Aromatic Schnapps). That is the drink of Royal Fathers. I don’t think there is any festival where you don't have Seaman's Aromatic Schnapps there, and now they are also going to be part of this year's edition of Anioma Cultural Festival. Of course in the past, we had MTN, we have had Zenith Bank and most of the banks are also promising to be part of what we are doing this year. Most especially, the Delta State Government has always supported us, and as we seek and continue to count on their support, we pray that God continues to reward them. I want to appreciate all of you and I say God bless you all. Thank you", Ifeadi posited.
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