By Ingram Osigwe
Sunday, December 29, 2024 is a day the ancient kingdom of Akokwa in Ideato North local government area of Imo, and the surrounding border communities will not forget in a hurry.Amid pomps and pageantry and colourful ambience, the maiden carnival of the town took place.
Powered by Akokwa Digital Ladies, ADL, a non profit organisation made up of women of Akokwa descent either by birth or marriage, the fiesta attracted prominent dignitaries within and outside Imo state, including the state’s Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs Chinyere Ekomaru who was the Special Guest of Honour.
Held at St.Peter Anglican Church compound, Akokwa featured march past by the six villages that made up Akokwa, cultural displays, cultural performances, local cuisines displays, handicrafts, workshops, and awards to deserving indigenes and friends of Akokwa.
Among those ADL confered with award at the event included, Hon Ikenga Imo Ikeagwuonu,Lady Maria Ihionu, her husband, Chief Samuel Ihionu( Chimereze na Akokwa), Chief Ingram Osigwe( Enyioha na Akokwa), Lolo Chizoba Offor, Chief Abraham Okechukwu Otti( mighty mighty) Ide Akokwa, Chief Celestine Ebubeogu, Chief Ifeanyi Ojimba, Barr Iyke Onwuchuluba, Chief Patrick Onwuelingo, Chief Chika Nnolum, Barr( Pharm) Steve Okoronkwo, Prof Ngozi Anyikwa, Hon( Mrs) Maureen Ashara, Chief Ifeanyi Ikejiaku,Chief Chijioke Nnaji, Chief Dennis Obi, Dr Tony Onyekwere, Chief( Mrs) Chika Onwuchu among others.
In her keynote address the Deputy Governor commended Akokwa women, describing the carnival as the shining example of women’s pivotal role in community development.” Im honoured to be in your midst, what I’m seeing here today, when I leave here today, I’m going to report to His Excellency the Governor that this is amazing, it is something we should emulate; it is something that should be emulated by other communities. Akokwa women are pace setters.This is indeed a shining example of women’s pivotal role in community development”, she said.
In her welcome address, founder of ADL, Lady Ihionu explained that the Carnival aimed at fostering unity, celebrating and showcasing to the rest of the world, Akokwa’s rich cultural heritage.
ADL’s decision to stage the carnival, she maintained, was not a direct challenge to Akokwa men but the women’s own contribution to putting Akokwa on the global stage, showcasing its rich cultural heritage, its fauna and sauna, fame and economic importance as a border town, as well as positive attributes of its women including include intelligence, wisdom, humility and conviviality.
She expressed immense gratitude to the guests for gracing the carnival despite their tight schedules, assuring that Akokwa women will not relent in projecting the town and its potential to the outside world.”This carnival has come to stay. It has become a yearly cultural fiesta and we, Akokwa women, will never relent in selling our beloved town to the world.
“We are promising that subsequent carnivals will be better than this year’s but one time I can assure you is that, ADL-powered Akokwa annual carnival has come to stay”, she said.
Apart from the Deputy Governor, the carnival attracted the other creme la de creme in the society, including captains of industry, business moguls, top government officials, traditional rulers, and religious leaders in and outside Akokwa, including the Obi of Akokwa, His Royal Majesty Eze (Sir) Ikenna C. Okoli
(KSC) (MSI) (Okoli V.) Agbakwuruibe III who lauded ADL for the Akokwa carnival initiative.
“The message of this Carnival is unity, peace and progress. This carnival is a veritable vehicle to foster unity, show love to one another and render help to the needy”, Eze Okoli said.
Guests, spectators and fun seekers from the neighbouring Anambra communities also graced the event.
One of Imo state’s best event comperes, MC Imo, Akokwa born MC, Okwuruoha and another talented compere, Cruise With Joe were on hand to direct proceedings.
Akokwa, a border town to Anambra state which hosts many transport companies, is strategically located and a major economic hub in Imo state outside Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe hence its social, geographical and economic significance played a major role in attracting business owners and corporate organisations to tap into the huge market and audience the carnival presented.
