Culture

Is Anambra the New Cultural Capital?

Published

6 years ago

January 11, 2020

By James Eze

When governor Willie Obiano allowed a poet to read a poem to the full session of his cabinet, what did you think was afoot?

Well…Lagos, Abuja move over. Anambra is finally here. The cultural orbit is in motion and Anambra is the new capital.

Now take this…Anambra boys have announced their intention to move things back home. And we may be no longer at ease in the old dispensation…

Indeed after decades of living like a luxuriant plant whose roots are in the skies, Anambra’s success stories are finally finding their way home. Governor Willie Obiano has created a harmonious social environment where any gift can find expression and now, Anambra-born entrepreneurs; very much like the proverbial Aku (winged termite) that flies and flaps around for a while only to surrender to gravity and the immense patience of the waiting toad on the ground, are returning to light up a few candles at home.

If there were any doubts about the shift in Nigeria’s cultural landscape, last Christmas erased them completely. Anambra swung into a new social orbit in a manner that took everyone by surprise. In less than a week, the state had hosted massive music festivals and major carnivals in Awka, Uli, Nnewi, Oba and Ojoto. Each show drew incredible crowds that no one knew could come from the state and each show paraded the best talents in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

For instance, Uli in Ihiala Local Government Area suddenly transformed into an entertainment wonderland of sorts on December 30, 2019 when the Okonkwo brothers, Kcee and E-Money arrived with a lorry-load of Nigeria’s A-List musicians and comedians.

It didn’t seem believable but the Okonkwos’ Uli Music Festival paraded acts like Phyno, Runtown, Bracket, Duncan Mighty, OritseFemi, Zoro, Faze, Ruffcoin Nwa Aba, Slow Diggy Nwanne (Slow Dogg), Mr 2Kay, Nigga Raw and many others as well as comedians like AY, I Go Dye, Dauda, Acapella and Funnybone. The mammoth crowd that turned up at the Uli Central School field venue of the show was unbelievable for a show held in a small town.

Davido and Naira Marley’s concert in Nnewi was a landmark event. The show was tagged ‘Anambra Music Festival’ and it lived up to its billing. Put together by Chizzy Entertainment, the show had the massive Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium Nnewi packed to capacity. It also attracted so many important businessmen and women, leading industrialists, politicians and community leaders that seemed unlikely guests of such a youthful celebration. However, these people felt safe enough to come out with their families and enjoy the beginning of another year at the concert.

In much the same way, the Oba Carnival was a huge musical festival that brought Davido back to Anambra in less than one week after performing at Nnewi. The Chairman of Cubana Group, Obiora Iyiegbu whose lifestyle company has changed the face of the Nigerian social scene finally decided to bring his reputation home to Oba, his home town. So, Iyiegbu brought Tuface, Davido, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Flavour, Slow Dog, DJ Neptune, Nigga Raw, KCee and many others to the Merchant of Light Secondary School field in Oba to turn on the heat on the landscape. It was another huge success.

The Ojoto Festival that came even earlier than the Oba Carnival also packed a cast of Nigeria’s finest entertainers. Ojoto is just a shout away from Oba, by the way. Phyno, Olamide, Humblesmith, Illbliss, Waje, Zoro, Ruffcoin nwa Aba, Fireboy, Perruzi and Skibi were all billed to grace the event along with notable comedians like Funnybone, Whalemouth, Kennyblack and Ushbebe among others. The organizer of Ojoto Fest, Dr Kennedy Okonkwo of Nedcom Oaks is full of ambition for the festival. He assured that Ojoto Festival was not a flash in the pan. And that it had come to stay.

But before all these series of concerts and festivals kicked in, Stanel World Awka had in a partnership with Access Bank and the Government of Anambra State organized a Master Class titled “Become More” for entrepreneurs in Awka The event was wrapped up in the evening with a musical concert that featured leading acts like 2Face, Phyno, Slow Dogg, Okey Bakassi and others.

It has to be said though that there is more to the New Anambra than the music festivals and carnivals. The truth is, as the cradle of Igbo origin, Anambra has a rich tapestry of culture and all the high ceremonies that mark Ndigbo out as an ancient ethnic group with centuries old civilization.

The Odinani Museum in Nri, the Igboukwu Museum and the new Enugwu-Ukwu Museum all point to a culture that has traveled through eons of years. The Ofala festivals marked by the various traditional institutions across the state are an extravagant display of a highly advanced culture.

And just the other day, the new Igwe of Aguleri, Igwe Mike Idigo, set fresh standards in his first Ovala with a well-attended public lecture. Titled ‘Okanga Aguleri,’ the lecture resounded across the cultural landscape to inject a new intellectual ferment to traditional festivals in Igboland.

In much the same way, the Ofala festival of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe remains an important item on Nigeria’s cultural calendar. This applies to many other Ofalas across Anambra State which take place at different times of the year. All these give Anambra the admirable texture of an emerging cultural capital.

There are also other festivals across the state that contribute to this impressive cultural mosaic. The Igu Aro in Nri and Enugwu-Ukwu, the Nwafor Festival in Ogidi and Ogbunike, the Ede Aro Abagana, the Imo Awka festival of Awka, the Eziokpalaigwe festival of Abagana, the Afia Olu festival of Nnewi, the Uzoiyi festival of Umuoji, the Obiora Obosi, the Iwaji festival of Igboukwu and several other festivals across the state keep the social dairy busy all year round.

Lately, the cultural calendar of Anambra State has also taken a tilt towards literary creativity. The Return to Idoto, A Flutter in the Woods, the Chinua Achebe Festival and more recently the Purple Hibiscus Creative Writing Workshop are all interesting new additions to the widening cultural circle of Anambra State.

There are also important memorials like the one marked by Hon Uche Okafor, Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, that drew dignitaries across the state to Ifite-Ogwari, his home town and empowerment programmes like Senator Victor Umeh’s Empowerment Programme for Widows and Indigent Youths which have struck a remarkable social resonance among the people.

The hard fact though is that all these are happening now because Anambra has become Nigeria’s safest state, there are access roads crisscrossing every part of the state and ndi Anambra have finally accepted the Aku luo uno call and that east or west, home is the best.

In the end, we are brought face to face with the inspiring story of a people once pressed to earth by violent crime and abysmal leadership. But in just five years of Governor Obiano’s inspirational leadership, Anambra is on the rise!

Culture

Charles Emembolu Named Chair of Nigeria’s Creative Tech Council (CCTF)

By Sandra Ani

Published

13 hours ago

August 18, 2025

grassroots

Engr. Charles Emembolu, chairman of CCTF

The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) of the Federal Ministry for Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy (FMACTCE) has appointed Engr. Charles Uchenna Emembolu to chair the Council for Creative Technology Futures (CCTF), a pioneering body set to drive innovation in Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries through advanced technologies and platform including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Web3.0, and blockchain.

The CCTF’s mandate is to position Nigeria as a global leader in creative innovation by developing a National Creative-Tech Framework and Roadmap, shaping policy reforms in intellectual property protection, taxation, and technology adoption, and spearheading flagship initiatives such as the Creative Futures Fund, ICE Hubs, and Discover Naija. These will expand job creation, skills development, and global market access for Nigerian creatives across 49 industry sectors.

Engr. Emembolu is a technology entrepreneur, innovation policy advocate, and current Chairman of the Innovation Support Network (ISN) Nigeria, representing over 220 incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs nationwide. He is also Co-Convenor of the Omniverse Africa Summit, which unites technology and creative sector leaders from across the continent.

At the heart of the Council’s direction and coordination is Mr. Obi Asika, the dynamic Director-General of NCAC, whose track record, leadership and deep industry expertise will anchor the CCTF’s vision, ensure high-level stakeholder engagement, and drive alignment across Nigeria’s diverse creative and technology ecosystems. The ministry of FMACTCE is led by Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa.

“Our creative economy is a catalyst for technology-driven prosperity. The present is digital, global, and transformative. Through CCTF, we will channel that momentum into capital, ownership, and innovation, enabling more homegrown platforms that consolidate our creatives’ global leadership as owners of their value ecosystems,” said Emembolu.

The NCAC will serve as the Secretariat for the CCTF, whose inaugural council members are:

Charles Emembolu — TechQuest, IT Expert & Talent Development (Chair)
Misan Harriman — Director/Photographer
Dayo Elegbe — Sponge Group (Digital Marketing)
Bizzle Oshikoya — The Plug (Music & Talent Management)
Kemi Awodein — MD, Chapel Hill Denham (Investments & Advisory)
Osas Peter — Founder, BlackAt
Malik Afegbua — AI Storytelling & Creative Visual Futurism
Sandra Oyewole — Olajide Oyewole & Co. (IP Lawyer)
Judith Okonkwo — Imisi 3D; AR & Deep Tech Leader
Dr. Dahiru Sani — Founder, Kaduna Business School
Dr Chinedu Odoala – NCAC (CCTF Secretariat)

The CCTF will seek to deliver actionable frameworks, after which implementation will scale nationally and internationally.

Source: Techeconomy

Culture

African Union Declares 2025 the ‘Year of Reparations and African Heritage’ and Launches Decade-Long Action Plan

By Celestine Achi

Published

6 days ago

August 13, 2025

grassroots

The African Union has officially designated 2025 as the “Year of Reparations and African Heritage,” launching a coordinated decade-long initiative (2026–2036) to address the lasting impacts of slavery, colonialism, and systemic global inequalities.

Africa’s call for reparations from former colonial powers has moved from activist and academic discourse to the forefront of continental and international policy. The African Union (AU) has formally designated 2025 as the “Year of Reparations and African Heritage,” marking the beginning of a coordinated, decade-long campaign to address historical injustices stemming from slavery, colonialism, and systemic inequities in global governance.

The AU’s mandate, endorsed at the highest level, calls on all member states and AU organs to take concrete actions in pursuit of reparations. This includes redress for the transatlantic slave trade and its enduring legacy, colonial exploitation, arbitrary borders, the destruction of institutions, as well as contemporary neocolonial structures, economic imbalances, and debt burdens.

In a historic decision at the 7th AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in July, leaders agreed to extend the program beyond 2025 into a Decade of Action on Reparations and African Heritage (2026–2036). This move signals a sustained, strategic approach to securing justice and restitution for Africa’s people.

“This, undoubtedly, gives us as a Union the opportunity to sustain the momentum for the realization of this noble cause and also to develop well-thought-through strategies to mobilize adequate resources to support the domestication of the subject,” said Ghana’s President, speaking on behalf of the collective African leadership.

The push for reparations has also begun to influence policy debates in Europe. In a recent formal inquiry to the European Commission, European Parliament member Barbara Bonte questioned the effectiveness of Brussels’ Africa policy and asked whether the EU has critically assessed its approach in light of Africa’s growing demands for equitable engagement.

The AU’s initiative reflects a continental consensus that historical injustices remain unresolved and continue to shape Africa’s economic, cultural, and political realities. By prioritizing “Reparations” in the official designation, the AU underscores the issue as a matter of justice rather than symbolic reconciliation.

The coming decade will see coordinated campaigns, diplomatic engagement, and legal strategies aimed at compelling former colonial powers to acknowledge, apologize, and compensate for the lasting impact of historical wrongs. For Europe and other actors, this moment represents both a challenge and an opportunity to redefine relations with Africa on a foundation of fairness, dignity, and mutual respect.

The AU’s message is clear: Africa’s demand for reparations will remain at the center of its international agenda for the next decade. The global response to this call will shape not only the future of EU-Africa relations but also the broader quest for justice in the international order.

Culture

Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Bags Ugosimba Chieftaincy Title in Enugu

…Says ‘I love your state’

Published

2 months ago

June 10, 2025

grassroots

Oluremi Tinubu Bags Ugosimba Chieftaincy Title in Enugu

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Ugosimba 1 Enugu” (Jewel/Eagle from another kingdom)by the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council.

She received the title on Tuesday during her two-day working visit to the South East state.

Conferring the title, alongside other officers, patrons, and members of the Council, the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu, said the honour was in recognition of her love for Enugu State and service to the nation and humanity.

“Our First Lady served in the senate for three consecutive terms and was honoured with the Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON. Nobody could say you were silent at the parliament.

“The good news is the humanitarian part of you. We looked at the way you love Enugu State. We are thanking you for what you do for the midwives, for the nurses. Personally, I am a nurse too. I appreciate it when it comes to the less privileged, healing the sick, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry. So, we are here to recognise and appreciate all these good works you are doing. It’s only God that can pay you for your good work,” he said.

An evidently elated Mrs. Tinubu, thanked the Government and people of the state for their overwhelming acceptance and love.

She described Enugu as a peaceful state, saying that she felt inner peace since she arrived in the state capital on Monday.

While also appreciating the royal fathers, she described the title as a special honour, not only to her, but also her husband, President Bola Tinubu, and the entire family.

“Thank you so much for all the support you have given. Today is indeed a great honour to me personally and also to my family. I love your state; it is such a very peaceful state and a very peaceful ambience.

“I want to thank Your Majesties for this honour done to me and also to my husband as well; and I know he will be very delighted and I believe the children too will be delighted.

“It is not that I have not been given titles, but this one is quite special and I believe it is God-ordained. And as you have honoured me today, Enugu State will know it for good.

“This moment will remain special in my heart and I will always remember your people for good and for the honour you have done for me. And this is not the end because our tomorrow is here already,” she said.