By Cyprian  Ebele, Onitsha

Anambra Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, disclosed that it will partner the Tourism Volunteers Network, Anambra Chapter, to host a grand Picnic and Funfair to promote  recreation habits amongst the public.

Mr Don Onyenji,Anambra Commissioner for Culture,  Entertainment and Tourism made this disclosure during a meeting with the executives of Volunteer Network Anambra chapter in his  Jerome Udoji office, Awka, state capital  and called on Anambra public to develop the habit of taking a rest after hard day’s job to gain longevity. 

 Onyenji noted that the program was necessitated by the ministry’s desire to promote healthy living through relaxation and fun making with families and friends to build stronger family ties.

He said that the upcoming events are inline with the ideals of Gov.Charles Soludo’s manifesto to develop the state into a prosperous mega smart-city, attracting people for business, living, and leisure for the common good of all.

The Commissioner  said that the groundbreaking of the  event will take place at the Anambra Film Village located behind the Kenneth Dike Library  on Sunday, 13th October.

According to him the event will feature cultural kids’ ballet dancers, exciting games such as ludo, Ncho, tug of war, and more, as well as cultural musical entertainers. 

Onyenji assured that the attendees would  also enjoy local cuisine including roasted plantain/yam and sauce, African salad (abacha), palm wine and a variety of other side attractions.

“The Solution government is transforming Anambra into a place of leisure and relaxation through the ongoing construction of the Solution Fun City, Solution Neighborhood Leisure Park, and other notable projects aimed at enhancing relaxation. 

“These developments will brighten up the state and increase the number of tourists visiting the area,”Onyenji assured.

The Commissioner  invites the public, especially parents to come with their children and enjoy the cultural fiesta for their relaxation and longevity.

Speaking, The Executive State Coordinator and Chairman of the Planning Committee of Anambra Tourism Volunteers Network, Ms. Chinazom Okey-Umeh, explained that the upcoming event will be a unique one in the state.. 

Okey-Umeh assured that the program will feature a variety of exciting activities, including old-school cultural games, cultural kids’ ballet dancers, cultural musical entertainers, local cuisine, among others.

“We utilise our network to promote tourism and showcase it to the world to attract investors and tourists to the state, create job opportunities and boost the state’s internal revenue generation,” she stated 

She then urged all parents to bring their kids and swimming trunks to the picnic and funfair on October 13 as there are children’s swimming pools, a kiddie section, and more for relaxation and entertainment.

Recall that Anambra government has earlier advised the residents to create various facilities for their relaxation and recreation so as to live a healthy life.

 Consequently the state government in partnership with industrialists in tourism and entertainment industries are constructing sites for public leisure. 

“Anambra Christmas Village, with Descendants Fortune Investments Ltd and Soulcity Obosi Tourism Town Smart City ,with Soulcity Integrated Resource LTD, amongst others, are some of the entertainment partners.

By Mark Akudu, Kogi 

The Governorship Candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the last Governorship election in Kogi State Alhaji Yakubu Muritala Ajaka has congratulated the winner of the 2024 Miss Nollywood international beauty pageant Miss Hassana Ozohu Salisu.

Ajaka made this known in a statement signed and issued to Journalists on Tuesday in Lokoja.

He described Miss Salisu as a shining star who has made not just Kogi State proud but the entire nation.

The former SDP Governorship Candidate charged Miss Salisu to use her new office to bring development to Kogi State adding that the State is filled with raw talents.

According to him “I Alhaji Yakubu Muritala Ajaka SDP Governorship candidate in the 2023 election heartily congratulate crowned Miss Nollywood international beauty queen 2024/2025 Miss Hassana Ozohu Salisu. 

“We also salute the people of Ebira land for their love and support. We shall partner with Miss Nollywood international on different projects to bring the dividend of democracy to the people”.

Meanwhile, the Candidate of the People’s Redemption Party, (PRP) in the last Governorship election in Kogi State Abdullahi Bayaro has also congratulated Miss Salisu for her recent victory as Miss Nollywood international beauty pageant.

Bayaro, in a statement noted that Miss Salisu victory in Bayelsa State was divine, stressing that his doors are widely open for partnership with the beauty pageant.

“We are proud of Miss Hassana Ozohu Salisu for achieving this success. Am joining the host of others to extend my gratitude to all those who have made this possible for my sister from the Eastern Senatorial District.”he stated. 

The PRP Candidate for Ankpa State Constituency in the last general election in Kogi State Neziru Ubelle described the victory of Miss Salisu as historic, adding that it signals a new dawn in the movie industry in Nigeria.

By Cyprian Evele, Onitsha

The Anambra state Commissioner for culture, entertainment and tourism, Don Onyenji, has attacked unbelievers of Igbo new yam festival, who describe it as being sin and fetish.

Reacting, during the new yam festival of his Akwukwu community, Idemili South Local Government Area, he reiterated that there is no iota of truth in what they said stating that the new yam festival is one of the rich cultural heritages of the Igbo race.

“It is our culture, time to thank God for the abundant harvest and for  guidance and protection during next season farming for bumper harvest. During this period also it calls for blessing from God on us and the land..The new yam festival is being observed mostly from August to September after which we plant for next season.

“In some communities it is called Ifejioku, Ilo Mmuo, and so on.So it is not fetish and whoever that says it is sin or fetish may not even know the name of his father.. Such a person should be taken to a psychiatric hospital,” he fumed.

On farming he stressed the need for all especially the youths to go into farming adding that it is a lucrative business and major means of fighting hunger in the land, saying, “We have yam barns and in those days the rich is measured by the number of yam barns he has”.

He advised all to emulate Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s action by going into agriculture stating that the governor has given out incentives to the people to assist them embark on farming even if it is on a small scale just to feed himself if he can’t go commercial.

He commended the President General of his community, Chief Udoka Ejiako who Presided over the new yam festival on behalf of the community in the absence of the monarch.

Earlier in his speech while cutting the new yam, the PG, said it was inherited from their forefathers adding that it is an age long cultural heritage  that will never go into extinction.

According to the PG during this period of the new yam festival there is no enmity among the people, stating, ” We prepare ourselves for this period to be on good terms with our brothers and sisters. There Will be no enemy. 

“Yam is the Chief of all crops and it is worshipped like deity. After the new yam we embark on next season farming . Tradition is dynamic and as such can not go into extinction. After my cutting the new yam the oldest man in the community will follow suit by doing the same before the entire community,” he disclosed further.

He advised those who believe that the new yam festival is sin and fetish to  repent adding that there is no way they will condemn yam which God made to be bigger when l cultivated, to be sin. 

Also the youth leader in the community, Peter Anamchukwu, said the new yam festival is inherited from their forefathers and can’t go into extinction.

“We inherited it from our forefathers and it is not fetish as believed in some quarters. It is a cultural festival of Igbo race,,, he explained.

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

The agrarian community of Nguzu Edda,  Afikpo South Local Government of Ebonyi State has concluded its new yam festival ceremonies with a call on their people to sustain the prevailing peace in the area.

Leader of Edda Progressive Union, Calabar branch, Chief Collins Okorie Udu explained that the ceremony is the grand finale of their new yam festival celebrations, which is called ‘Igba nzu’.

 He said that apart from the merriment of the occasion, the celebration has remained a rallying point for unity among his people. 

“This ceremony was handed over to us by our forefathers. It has continued from generation to generation. It’s always peaceful. And the Nguzu man is known for peace”, he said.

Okorie,  Chief Executive Officer , MCRICH  Ventures Ltd enjoined his people to give more attention and priority to farming, noting that it is the solution to the harsh economic conditions in Nigeria.

“As you can see, I am at home celebrating our new yam festival with my people. It’s time to share with one another, the season of reunion. We come together as a people, appraising how the season has been. Above all we use the occasion to give thanks to God for life, for good harvest and pray together for better harvest in the next season”, he said.

He explained that, “My people are peace loving. Even our sons and daughters who are abroad are doing this same celebration wherever they are. Even at home here, you noticed that the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru was at this year’s festival ably represented. That’s very good of him, to show interest in the cultural advancement of the State”.

He applauded the Governor for what he described as a show of commitment to the needs of the people and assured him that his Edda people would remain behind his administration.

From Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

The governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, on Tuesday, joined the people of the state in commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the state’s creation, saying that his administration was also getting ready to celebrate the 115th anniversary of Enugu city as a pre-eminent centre of history, commerce, and administration.

He paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers of the state, reiterating his administration’s determination to hasten their lofty dreams to fruition.

Speaking at the ceremony organised by the Enugu State Development Association, ESDA, in the state’s capital to mark the 33rd anniversary of the creation of the state on August 27, 1991, Mbah, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, said his administration was determined to bequeath a state where unprecedented development, social justice, and equal opportunity reign.

The governor said, “As we commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the creation of Enugu State, I congratulate Ndi Enugu and enjoin them to always take pride in its long and illustrious history. Enugu State may rightly be described as 33 years old as a formal state. Yet, its history stretches farther back.

“The history of Enugu is very much the history of Nigeria’s evolution from pre-amalgamation, when the discovery of coal in Enugu, in 1909, became a watershed moment for the then fledgling Southern and Northern Protectorates.

“So, today is an opportunity to recall the sacrifice of our founding fathers, for whom the creation of our dear state was a lifelong project. We honour their steadfast commitment, not just in words, but by our bold actions aimed at enthroning a new socio-economic order consistent with the dreams that birthed Enugu State.

“We carry in our hearts the fire of the dreams of the titans whose struggles helped make Enugu the cosmopolitan state that it is today.

“Indeed, we recall as well the sacrifice of our forebears whose sweat and toil built the coal mines from where much of the wealth that oiled the wheel of development of our dear nation was derived. Let us be inspired by their resilience and sacrifice.

“In November, we would be celebrating the 115th anniversary of Enugu as a pre-eminent centre of history, commerce and administration. The pride that Enugu State’s history inspires should never seem like a false dawn.

“Today serves as yet another reminder that we carry the weight of history and the people’s expectations, which could be lessened only through sustained delivery of people-centred governance. It is a cause to which I am wholly committed. 

“Together we can make Enugu State the premier destination for investment, business, tourism, and a place where basic utilities can truly be taken for granted. We are actually ticking all the boxes – from public water supply to quality public education and expanding the primary healthcare system.”

Calling for optimism, Mbah assured, “The dreams of Enugu’s founding fathers are not dreams betrayed. We have an absolute fidelity to those dreams, and to our pledge to bequeath a society of which the generations yet unborn will always be proud.

“So, let optimism blossom where cynicism once reigned, for we are on the cusp of a renaissance.”

In his welcome address, the President-General of ESDA, HRH Igwe Ezeudo Abel Nwobodo, paid tribute to the founding fathers and leaders of the state from inception till date, lauded Mbah transforming dreams to reality at great speed.

“We are indeed particularly grateful to God for our amiable, capable, indefectible, and quintessential governor, whose mantra, ‘Tomorrow is here’, is a manifestation of fulfilment of the dreams of our founding fathers, who saw a greater tomorrow ahead of them,” the elder statesman said.

In his remark, the Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu, said Governor Mbah was divinely prepared and preserved to lead Enugu into the long-awaited development and prosperity.

Asadu also stressed the need to educate the younger ones on Enugu’s historic journey to statehood to enable them appreciate the sacrifices and struggles that birthed the state to prepare to work for its continued greatness.