Atim Ikpeme
6 November 2009
It was with pomp, class and ceremony that the 2009 edition of the re-branded Ozuruimo Festival held elaborately in Imo State, South East, Nigeria. The four-day Pan Imo State cultural and arts festival began Wednesday, October 28, with a colloquium painstakingly delivered by Prof. Aloy Ejiogu, of the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
The theme of the thought provoking and well attended lecture, which held at the expansive Multi-Purpose Hall, Owerri, was: "The Resuscitation of Mbari Culture As A Depiction of Igbo Industry."
In his captivating and riveting lecture, Prof. Ejiogu, in his well-researched presentation, which was in four parts, held spellbound the guests, who included traditional rulers, students of secondary and tertiary institutions, VIPs and a host of other participants.
According to the erudite scholar, Mbari is a people's way of life and a very significant aspect of a people's culture, especially the Igbos, who inhabit(ed) what is now known as Imo State, in the South East geo political zone of Nigeria.
Prof. Ejiogu, concluded his lecture by urging Ndigbo, especially the Imo State indigenes, not to allow the Mbari cultural institution to die.
In her vote of thanks at the end of the colloquium, international songster, Onyeka Onwenu, who's also the Chairman of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture (ISCAC), organizers of the festival, thanked Prof. Ejiogu for dissecting and giving verve to the topic.
Onwenu, who kept beaming with smiles while the event lasted, also, thanked the Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, for helping to resuscitate the annual festival that began in 1989, promising that more good things would be witnessed at ISCAC, under her tenure.
The Ozuruimo Festival continued the following day with a scintillating and very colourful Boat Regatta, at the famous Oguta Wonder Lake. During the Boat Regatta, several dance troupes and groups competed for honour and glory in their various beautifully decorated canoes, to the admiration of the guests and villagers.
At the end of the day-long event, which the Otu Ajashi Age Grade, was declared the overall winner, by the panel of judges.
On Friday, October 30, the re-branded festival in which all the 27 LGAs in Imo State actively participated, moved to the rejuvenated Mbari Cultural Centre, in the heart of Owerri, for the Egwa Onwa (Moon Light Games), which lasted till the wee hours of the following morning.
The cultural extravaganza that rocked non-stop for four days eventually came to a beautiful and memorable end on Saturday, October 31, with a splendid Carnival Float, which was staged through out the major streets and roads of Owerri, as part of the activities marking the grand finale.
While commenting on the grassroots festival, Hon. Chuma Nnaji, the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, who also doubled as the Chief Host of the festival, expressed joy and pride in its increasing popularity and relevance in bonding the Imo people together.
In his special message, Governor Ikedi Ohakim, who was the Special Guest of Honour, unequivocally maintained that Ozuruimo remains a true festival: "A classic indigenous carnival, a superb cultural gathering. We hope that its concept and ideas will outlive this current generation and remain a worthy legacy to coming generations and the world at large."
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