The premises of Moshood Abiola stadium and environs in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) went agog as members of Abuja chapter of Anambra State Towns’ People Association (ASTPA) gathered to promote unity, celebrate themselves and rekindle their cultural heritage, writes Abba -Eku Onyekachi.
Since its formation, the Anambra State Towns’ People Association (ASTPA), being an association of Anambra towns’ unions in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), brings Anambra citizens together every two years, to among others, enhance unity, rekindle rich cultural heritage, empower members, share business and progressive ideas. They also use the Association and the celebration to among others, plan how to enhance development in the state, so as to collaborate with the government in power back home in Anambra State towards achieving a common front.
At the Anambra Day Celebration, each member town union participates in the cultural competition, by displaying and showcasing their culture and at the end of the competition, the town unions that win first, second and third positions, are announced and given prizes, based on the position. Among the communities that had won first positions in the past in the competition were: Awka, Ekwulobia and Awkuzu.
Raffle draws are also organised and the winners are usually announced. Through the raffle draws, things like cars, plots of land, deep freezers, bags of rice, sewing and grinding machines, among others are usually won.
The association usually sends motivational messages across through a theme-message. The themes they used in the previous celebrations were among others: “Igwe bu Ike”, literally meaning, There is Strength in Unity; “Aku Ruo Ulo” which urges members to invest back home. To demonstrate this homeland consciousness, the ASTPA was said to acquired hectares of land in Nando, Anambra state, named ASTPA Estate. It was also gathered that numerous Ndi Anambra in the FCT and in the Diaspora, as well as town unions have subscribed to the noble project;
Other themes are: “Taa bu Gboo”, meaning, It is not Yet Late.This theme encouraged members that they can still meet up. But the one of this 2023 had the theme of, “Maka Ndozi Anambra”, which however means, Rejigging Anambra.
What made this 2023 edition unique was the multitude of people in attendance, with rich cultural heritage display from town unions, and it made the Moshood Abiola Stadium, the venue of the event full to its capacity by those who came ”to do Christmas” for their eyes and those who came to entertain them with their culture. Illustrious sons and daughters of the state were honored with award, based on achievement and recognition.
The rich cultures of Ndi Anambra displayed include: musics, dances, masquerades, acrobatic dancing, such as the Mkpokiti Acrobatic Dance from Umunze in Anambra state, which has not only gone international and won many prizes, but also had their picture printed in Nigerian currency and post office stamp.
The masquerades that entertained the people, were among others, the great Ijele masquerade, being the most huge of all masquerades; the Izaga masquerade, being the tallest of all masquerades, the popular Ihiala masquerade, Ejionu, the Agaba, Ogbomma, Mgbedike, Agboghommonwu, Obuibu.
Women groups from different communities were not left out, as they entertained the audience with various rich cultural dances, music and songs. Foods of culture, oil and palmrafia wine were produced in abundance by communities and they were all generous with them.
The conditions for winning in the competition were among others, based on early payment of dues, uniformity, punctuality, cultural performance and display, having met the criteria at the end of it all, the Abuja chapter of Uga Improvement Union (UIU) won first position in the overall fiesta cultural competition in this 2023 edition, while second and third positions went to Enugwu – Agidi Brotherly Union and Nteje Development Union respectively.
Although in the raffle draws that were done, many others won different things ranging from sewing and grinding machines, deep freezers, gas cookers, bags of rice, among others, but the executive officer of the Association from Achina Town Union, Chuks Anozie won star prize of a plot of land in ASTPA Estate in Nando, Anambra state.
Speaking at the occasion, the Local Organizing Committee Chairman of the event and the Chairman, Publicity Committee, Amaechi Ezeokoye and Remigius Ezenwa respectively, similarly thanked God for the success of the event and urged town unions that were yet to join the Association not to hesitate to do so, due to its benefits. “Town unions that are yet to join this association shouldn’t hesitate to do so, due to its benefits,” appeals Ezeokoye, while Ezenwa thanked God for its success and hailed those who helped in making the occasion a success.
Extending warm wishes to the ASTPA members, the representative of Anambra South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah saw the event as a testament to the state’s commitment to preserving its culture, promoting unity and diversity, bringing community members to honour their roots and showcasing their talents. An event like this, according to him, does not only bring happiness to the communities, but also serves as an avenue for cultural exchange and understating, even as he hailed Ndi Anambra for positive impact they have had on the FCT.
Also in a goodwill message, an illustrious son of Anambra, Hon Chinedu Obika who represents AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency at the National Assembly hailed the event, saying the seed the indigenes were sewing that day, through showcasing of their cultural heritage would advance the course of binding the people.
Earlier in his welcome address, Sir Arinze Anadu called on all the stakeholders to collaborate with the government in power to make Anambra, being the Light of the Nation, the best state in Nigeria. The administration, according to him was premised on transparency, responsiveness, members and youths’ welfares and skill acquisition, among others. He however appealed to the state government to recognise ASTPA as a community in the Diaspora and include the Association in its annual budgetary allocations.
Meanwhile, the member representing Aguata Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon Dom Okafor in a key not speech noted that Anambra was blessed with exceptional human capital, rich history, abundant natural resources, and has produced extraordinary individuals who have excelled in various fields of endeavour.
Calling for prioritizing infrastructure, ease of doing business in Anambra state, investing in sustainable energy solutions and harnessing the state’s agriculture to reduce poverty and stimulate economic growth, he urged them to remember that their strength lies in their unity, even as he added that they rise above ethnic, religious and political differences and work collectively towards the common goal of a better Anambra.
Advising Anambra people in the FCT to remain united and always think home, the President General (PG) of the ASTPA, Chief Arinze Anadu said that they use the event to among others, promote unity, love, development, business opportunities, even bring about marriages.
Anadu informed that they use themes at each year’s event to send positive messages across to the indigenes.
Earlier in his welcome remark, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Simon Okeke said: “Anambra is known to be The Light of the Nation and we should live up to that name.
“Let us continue to be ideal men and women of the progressives. We should live up to our name by virtue of the way we compose ourselves both publicly and privately. I am directing this specifically to our Anambra youths. Our people become known to conquer most physical, natural and man-made obstacles on their way to business pursuits. Our legendary swift moves to succeed where others have failed by the side should be something to be thankful to our God.
“But this should be without being arrogant and too loud. Some of our youths are known to be too loud in their victory over all odds of their business pursuits. Our being loud and arrogant attracts the envy and disgust of our neighbours and host communities. Such trends are alien to the core values of Ndigbo. Let it be known that being our brothers’ keepers is one of the core tenets of Onye Igbo,” he reminded.YOU CAN USE ANY OF THE PICTURES BELOW:
Masquerades and acrobatic dancers at the 2023 Anambra Day Celebration
