Thrills as Enugu Holds 29th Cultural Day.
...Group urges Gov. Mbah to tackle insecurity, bad road network, social amenities.
Emmanuel Clement.
The 29th Enugu State Cultural Day, which took place on December 2 was organised by the Association of Enugu State Development Unions (AESDU), Lagos Branch which came with so much excitement and funfair.
The event which was held at the Police College Field, lkeja witnessed the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. (Barr) Peter Mbah who was represented by the Commissioner for Culture and tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, a large turnout of personalities, captains of industries, and traditional rulers in attendance
The cultural day was chaired by Dr Basil Ogbuanu
The venue presented a semblance of a village or market square where dance troupes and masquerades perform and entertain the people at festivals at the home state as of each of the town unions came with their traditional foods, even the ones you are not likely to see in Lagos.
Prominent among them were abacha (African salad), okpa, akpu with bitter leaf soup, local rice, and beans of all sorts, pepper soup and others. There was plenty to eat and drink. Of course, palm wine was not in short supply.
At the appointed time, the town unions and their troupes filed out one after the other to showcase their cultural heritage.
As one moved from one stand to the other, one was thrilled by the rich cultural heritage and affinity of the Enugu State people. Masquerade (mmanwu), an integral part of Igbo culture, was not missing at the event.
The chairman of the Occasion,Dr Basil Ogbuanu expressed Gratitude to God almighty for making the people to witness yet another cultural day,while commending the organizers for putting up such an event.
Dr Ogbuanu went further to thank the Governor in his effort to tackle insecurity in the state, while urging him to ensure that the security of life and properties is paramount to his government and reduce drastically, stressing that if the governor fails to do something urgent to arrest the current financial and human capital flight, currently being experienced in the south east especially in Enugu state,the trend will continue to do irreparable damage to the posterity of the people.
“Your Excellency ably represented by the Honourable commissioner,sir our people cannot travel to the east with their eyes closed as the issue of insecurity is becoming alarming in the region especially in Enugu state.
“Sir l want to thank you immensely in your effort to tackle insecurity since your assumption in office,but please sir kindly intensify your effort more because our people are scared to come back home but if you assure us today that our safety is guaranteed, then the Enugu festival coming up this month would be a memorable one.” He stated.
He emphasized the need for all lgbos to unite and speak with one voice so that there will be development in the region.
The President Association of Enugu State Development Union, High Chief Linus Ejimofor Igbudu stated that the Enugu State Cultural Day celebration in Lagos has shown in very clear terms the cultural affinity of Enugu people as one could easily see the shared social patterns in especially in arts, music, dance, cuisine and values.
High Chief lgbudu went further to state that the cultural day was a veritable avenue to not only to promote and transmit the cultural heritage to the children and adults in the Diaspora but also to foster brotherliness among the people of Enugu State.
Chief Dr Chris Chilo Offia urged the federal government to do the needful by releasing the leader of the indigenous people of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu so as to reduce the insecurity challenges currently being faced in the country.
The former Chairman/Chancellor of Enugu State Science and technology said that the continuous incarceration of Kanu even after a court of competent jurisdiction had freed him, had worsened the security situation in the zone, noting that if released will reduce insecurity to 50%.
Mr Chukwudi Asogwa, Assistant Director of Socials said that culture defined who we are and also bring out the best in us, stating that those without culture does not have history.
He commended the leadership of High Chief Igbudu for his sterling qualities in moving the association forward, while urging the people to drive home their wealth of experience and resources so that Enugu state can be a better place to be.
Others who spoke with newsmen appealed to the governor to come to their rescue in terms of road network as some of the communities are being cut off from the state capital.
Responding,the Governor Dr Peter Mbah welcoming the people said that he was excited about the large turnout of people, while expressing the need for lgbos to unite so as to realize their potential towards developing the region.
Governor Mbah also said that there was need for the people in the state to see themselves as a single entity and engage in huge investment to develop the area.
While enumerating some of his achievements so far, urged the people to join hands together in lighting up Enugu state to what it used to be,as he intends to bring back Enugu Carnival this month December, which so many activities has been lined up to showcase and bring out the true identity of the Enugu people.
The event was spiced with cultural dancers from different local government,award presentation to some prominent sons and daughters of Enugu state and cutting of the Cultural day cake.
