Culture
Enhance Cultural Crafts and Skills with Western Education- Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye
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BY: Justice Godfry
The award-winning cultural curator, Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye has encouraged Nigerian youths to enhance their cultural crafts and skills with their various level of education. This statement was made at the Women’s Day edition of Yoruba Lakotun, the cultural renaissance show, which took place at Freedom Park in Lagos recently.
According to the renowned artist, “there are a lot of opportunities for people who have an in-depth understanding of the cultural crafts and skills across the globe because the world is currently researching deeply into Africa. We need to start excavating our relegated art works which are currently in high demand in other continents”
“In the last 50 years that I have been practicing various creative skills such as painting, making of adire fabrics, stringing of beads and gele tying. These are the skills that I have been teaching people across the globe. At the moment, younger and educated people who have a firm grasp of these skills are now making electronic designs which is very profitable,” she added.
As noted by the cultural aficionado and host of the show, Olutayo Irantiola, the event was in celebration of the bravery of African women who have distinguished themselves over the ages through their professions and they have gained global prominence in their respective fields.
In his words, “Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye has taken her work across the globe, she has earned global recognition within various arts sphere and she has relentless given back to the society by training hundreds of thousands of people who are also contributing meaningful to the world today. She is an epitome of womanism and having made success of it in the last five decades calls for celebration.”
Other educating and entertaining highlights of this edition, dedicated to Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, the Governor-Elect of Lagos State and other elected officers across the nation, include the Bata Drum Ensemble made up of Muyiwa Adefila; Oloyede Odofin and Olalere Ayantayo. Others activities include Damilola Adebonojo popularly called Iya Yoruba led us on a quiz on tonal marks and Moromoke Lawal popularly called Moromoke Adunbarin spoke on women who have thrived in Pre-Colonial Nigeria like Madam Efunroye Tinubu, Madam Efunsetan Aniwura. Chief Gbemisoye Ayano taught the guests on descriptive symbols.
Yoruba Lakotun is a quarterly cultural renaissance show, which began in 2015, has been at the vanguard of leading topical discussions amongst Yoruba literary and cultural enthusiasts drawn from the corporate and social Nigeria.
L-R Ade Bakare, Founder, Ade Bakare Couture, UK; Chief Mrs Nike Okundaye, Founder, Nike Art Foundation and Curator General, Nike Art Gallery; Olutayo Irantiola, Atokun, Yoruba Lakotun and Ms Iyabode Aboaba, Chief Operations Officer (COO), Freedom Park during Yoruba Lakotun in commemoration of the International Women’s Day held at Freedom Park over the weekend.
Culture
Chief Edozie Imah Honoured As UN Peace Ambassador
—For Remarkable Conflict Resolution Efforts
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Engr. Chief Richard Chukwuedozie Imah was on Wednesday recognized with an ambassadorial award as a United Nations Ambassador for Peace, acknowledging his remarkable contributions to conflict resolution and community harmony.
He was presented with the Chartered Fellowship Award by the International Association of World Peace Advocates of the United Nations Peace Volunteers at a ceremony that took place at the palace of Ezeigbo Ejigbo, Eze Nicholas Emenike Njoku.
By this award, Chief Richard Chukwuedozie Imah, who is also the Onowu (traditional prime minister) of Ndigbo Ejigbo becomes an Eminent Peace Ambassador of the United Nations and a Global Diplomat.
His long-standing reputation as a peacemaker, both within his community and the palace, played a pivotal role in his selection for the prestigious honour.
Presenting the Award to Chief Chukwuedozie Imah before a distinguished audience comprising of family members, friends, business associates, the Eze-in-Council of Ezeigbo Ejigbo, and well-wishers, Bishop Amb. Dr. Prince C. Nkemakolam, representing Ambassador Per Stafsen, World Peace President, said by this position, Ambassador Chukwuedozie Imah is now a symbol of power and strength.
“The newest ambassador, from today, God has added power to your power. God has added authority to your authority. God has added strength to your strength. Wherever you find yourself, you are expected to exhibit the life of an ambassador, speaking for your community with authority as well.
“You will reign as a king that God has made you. Be a peacemaker wherever there is crisis. As an Ambassador, wherever you show off, peace is bound to reign; wherever there is confusion and you show up as an ambassador, peace takes over. What is happening now is that God has supernaturally, given you a new seat. And we pray that this seat will not hurt you,” he prayed.
Bishop Nkemakolam said that Ambassador Richard Chukwuedozie Imah has consistently worked to resolve disputes between families, communities, and even landlords, demonstrating a proactive approach to fostering peace, noting that his dedication to ensuring harmonious coexistence has earned him widespread respect and admiration.
In his acceptance speech, Ambassador Chukwuedozie Imah thanked God for the Award and noted that he has always been a peacemaker. “I have always liked making peace wherever I am, whether in the palace or in the community. People know me as someone committed to ensuring that peace reigns.”
The new ambassador highlighted his efforts to mediate conflicts in various contexts, including resolving issues among landlords and tenants and emphasized the importance of maintaining peaceful relations, noting, “No matter what happens, we try to calm things down and ensure there is no problem. People have recognized me as a peacemaker because of these efforts.”
With his new role, Ambassador Imah plans to redouble his efforts in promoting peace. He aims to bridge divides between different groups and tribes, using his position to improve lives and foster harmony in Ejigbo community. “As an ambassador of peace, I will work even harder to ensure continued peace among people and communities. Making peace saves lives, and I am committed to that mission,” he stated.
He also assured that his ambassadorial position would be a tool for good, saying, “This position is not for personal pride or humiliation of others. It is to better the lives of people. When you make peace between two people, you save lives. That is what I will continue to do.”
Ambassador Imah expressed gratitude for the recognition and pledged to remain steadfast in his commitment to peace, its core values, crisis intervention, and community service.
High Chief Ambassador James Agom, representing the International Association of World Peace Ambassadors and Advocates, outlined the significance of the inauguration ceremony held to induct Chief Richard Chukwuedozie Imah as a new member of the association.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Agom explained that the association is dedicated to fostering peace and addressing crises, particularly in rural communities and emphasized their proactive approach to identifying and resolving local issues, underscoring the organization’s mission to create harmony and stability at the grassroots level.
The ceremony also highlighted the association’s charitable focus, showcasing its commitment to humanitarian efforts, noting that the induction process for new ambassadors is highly selective, requiring individuals to demonstrate a history of impactful charitable work and a proven dedication to supporting those in need.
“Membership in this association is not just a title but a responsibility,” Ambassador Agom stated. “A genuine charitable heart is essential. Successful candidates must exhibit a strong humanitarian spirit, a willingness to assist communities facing hardship, and a track record of addressing local challenges.”
The award ceremony underscored the significance of Ambassador Imah’s work and serves as an inspiration for others to prioritize harmony and understanding in their communities. It also serves as a call to action for individuals who aspire to join the organization, emphasizing the importance of selfless service in creating a better world.
Culture
Family announces final rites for late Ogbuefi Dominic Nweke
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The funeral rites of renowned community leader, late Ogbuefi Dominic Udegbunem Nweke, have been announced by the family in memory and celebration of his life after 91 years sojourn on earth.
A public statement by the family endorsed by the son and Group Executive Editor, ITREALMS Media group, Sir Remmy Nweke, indicated that his late father’s final funeral rites would commence on Thursday, October 24, 2024, with a wake at the family compound, Umuokpe village, Awba-Ofemili in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
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On Friday, October 25, 2024, he said, the main funeral day would start with a requiem mass by 10am at St. Paul’s (Anglican Church) field Oye-Agu, beside the Central School, Umuokpe Village, Awba-Ofemili to be led by the Parish Priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Joseph Nwilo, with condolence visits thereafter by religious groups, in-laws, friends, well-wishers, and associates.
Nweke also said that Saturday, October 26, 2024, has been dedicated for condolence visits by the Ndi Nze n’Ozo, Lolos and Age Grades, whereas on Sunday, 27th October would be for the thanksgiving mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Awba-Ofemili by 10am.
He recalled that his late father, also known as Ozo Sopuluchukwu of Awba-Ofemili, passed on Friday, August 9, 2024, at the age of 91 years at the Regina Caeli Hospital Awka, in Anambra State.
Sir Nweke said that until his late father’s death, Ozo Sopuluchukwu was the patriarch of Ozo Nweke kindred of Umuosite village, Awba-Ofemili.
Reputed for his hardwork and frankness to matters, Ogbuefi Dominic Udegbunem Nweke adopted his Ozo Sopuluchukwu title in reverence to God Almighty in all that concerned him with peaceful disposition.
Until his demise, Ogbuefi Dominic Udegbunem Nweke was the famous sibling of the direct Ozo Nweke dynasty.
Late Ogbuefi Dominic Udegbunem Nweke is survived by his wife, Princess Christiana Nweke, sons, daughters, in-laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Culture
Young Artists Win Big as Enugu Marks End to Sit-at-home with Art Competition
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Young people of Enugu State have smiled home with various cash prizes and commendation letters, as winners in the art competition to depict the transition from Monday sit-at-home to productive Monday emerged.
The joint winners are Mstr. Nwachukwu Sunday and Ms. Ukeje Olubebe Victory, while Ms. Nkiruka Ogbonna is the runner-up.
The competition, according to the Special Assistant to Governor Peter Mbah on Visual Communications, Mr. Great Okeke, was put together to allow the youth of the state to tell their stories during and after the sit-at-home.
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“The governor came in and made that declaration that there was no longer sit-at-home in Enugu State. So, after one year, we tried to put the art competition together for the youth of Enugu State to tell us their own stories about the sit-at-home.
“For instance, you know the students were among the most hit because they did not go to school on Monday before now. They lost 52 days out of the 365 days in each year that it lasted. And, at the end of the day, those in secondary school would still compete with others in Lagos or other states in the same examinations such as JAMB UTME and WAEC,” Okeke stated.
Presenting the prizes, the Secretary to State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, expressed happiness over the restoration of the entrepreneurship, productivity, and studies in all parts of the state on Monday, saying the sit-at-home was a sad and shameful part of the state’s history it wants to put behind it.
“One of the key things the governor said at the very beginning was that the sit-at-home syndrome that had lasted and changed what we are as a people, who are entrepreneurial and fearless, was over in Enugu.
“Before that, activities in Enugu State dwindled and you can see the first drawing here shows the very basic things that happened: people going out to sell, but they could not anymore because they were scared of the confusion, the chaos, the running around, and of course the syndrome that when you moved around and you saw the Sienna and it was tinted, that something bad was going to happen.
“So, I am happy that I can see the transition you depicted and that joy and order have come back. You were selected because you really reflected the thinking of this administration. In your storyline, you expressed the desires of the governor for Ndi Enugu to feel that level of safety, for commerce to come, for our people to live in joy and peace, and for our state to be great again,” Prof. Onyia stated.
Speaking, the winners, Nwachukwu Ozoemena and Ukeje Oluebube, said they were motivated by the theme of the competition, especially given the frustrations they suffered as students and youth while the sit-at-home lasted.
“The theme says “The echoes of sit-at-home”. So, immediately I saw the theme, I was very thrilled and it encouraged me to say yes, I need to do that which I have been keeping in mind. I said let me express myself.
“The message here is that anybody should move around and do his or her businesses because Enugu State today is free on Monday as other days of the week. Normalcy has returned because this current administration has actually helped us by keeping up with the promise to protect lives and property,” Ozoemena said.
On her part, Ms. Ukeje said, “My first painting depicts the dark part of the sit-at-home where I used the tomato seller as a topic. From the picture you see Sienna and whenever people see Sienna they will scamper for safety because of fear of the unknown gunmen.
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“From the second painting, you could see her sitting at home and peeping through the window, seeing the unknown gunmen with their Sienna and no one is moving because of fear. “But the third picture depicts the return of normalcy on Monday after the emergence of Dr. Peter Mbah as the governor of Enugu State. The woman can now take her perishables to the market and sell since there are security personnel everywhere. She is now happy.”
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