Culture
Group takes Ohaneze Ndigbo to the cleaners for placing bounty on illustrious son
A group operating under the aegis of World Igbo Union, has taken the Ohaneze Ndigbo to the cleaners over what it described as a sacrilege the tagging of one of the illustrious son Simon Ekpa as ‘persona non grata’ to Igbo land.
The apex Igbo Organization in the world in a statement on Tuesday by its leader Mazi Ogechukwu Nkere which was made available to newsmen in Abuja, said such call was not only sacrilegious, but also an abomination and frivolous in the face of hundreds of Southeasterners being murdered by marauding Fulani terrorists and Boko Haram in Nigeria without any measurable reaction by Ohaneze Ndigbo to stop the killings.
The statement reads: “The attention of the apex Igbo Organization in the world – The IWorld Igbo Union has been drawn to a sacrilegious publication credited to a moribund organization in the name of Ohaneze Ndigbo seeking a bounty on the head of one of their illustrious sons, Mazi Simon Ekpa in a publication on This Day Newspaper of 1/23/2023.”
He indicated that the Ohaneze has not reacted in strong or measurable terms or issued any active statement to condemn the killings by the terrorists in Southeast Nigeria.
The group which comprises of over 50,000 members of Igbo descent across the world declared the ohaneze ndigbo as a dead and wasted organization that has remained irrelevant in the lives of the average Igbo person in Nigeria.
The group rules out Ohaneze Ndigbo as inconsequential and lacking capacity to decide for over 70 million Southeasterners and Biafrans that are cut across the Southeast Nigeria begging daily to live from the horrors of terrorist invaders imported into Nigeria by the current Nigeria leadership aided by Ohaneze.
The statement declared the group’s total and unwavering support for their illustrious son in the person of Mazi Simon Ekpa who has been exposing the ills and havoc that Fulani terrorists have been wreaking in all parts of Nigeria including the killing of Christians, burning of homes and markets and more recently, the killing of the Catholic priest father Achi in Kaduna State Nigeria.; this killing has been condemned by the United States government and the Vatican.
They said: “One of the major position and factors that will reduce terrorism in Nigeria and in extension the western world would be an immediate call for an independent Referendum by the United Nations in Nigeria.”
According to them, the dangerous diversities in Nigeria in areas of tribe, religion, ethnicity, language and culture, coupled with the corrupt leadership and their destructive policies has created lots of insecurity and deaths in the Country.
“The inability of the government to obey court orders especially in the case of the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra) of whom Mazi Simon Ekpa is an ardent follower despite the United Nations call for his immediate release and compensation.
It will be recalled that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu whose disciple is Mazi Simon Ekpa has been discharged and acquitted by almost 3 independent courts in Nigeria and also by the United Nations committee on extraordinary rendition.
“Despite all these calls, the Nigeria government has refused to release him, and the moribund Ohaneze Ndigbo has been an accomplice in this total disregard for the rule of law. The world currently awaits United Nations action on the expiration of their order to the Nigeria government to release Nnamdi Kanu.
The World Igbo Union leader used the medium to call the attention of the world leaders, INTERPOL, and leaders of thought and inform them that the Ohaneze Ndigbo group has been rejected by majority of Igbo citizens because of their role and silence on the killings and destruction of properties and means of livelihood of Igbo citizens in Southeast Nigeria.
“The moribund Ohaneze Ndigbo has committed sacrilege in Igboland by placing a $50,000 bounty on the head of an innocent and illustrious son of Igboland whose only crime was calling for the freedom of his people and their self-protection from Fulani terrorists that have invaded Southeast Nigeria.
“These terrorists has wreaked havoc in Ehamufu Enugu state where over 200 innocent men, women and children were massacred in their own land without protection from either the state or federal government, In fact a Sahara newspaper report on December 24th, 2022 enumerated how the Nigeria military masterminded the Ehamufu killings of these innocent citizens.
“The Nigeria government has daily rehabilitated and reintegrated known terrorists into the country’s security forces and use them to kill, maim and burn down innocent peoples homes and businesses especially those that condemn this practice and seek for their freedom from Nigeria.
“The World Igbo Union hereby calls on the international body, INTERPOL and Nigerians to disregard the sacrilegious call by the moribund Ohaneze Ndigbo and its Secretary Okechukwu Isiguzoro.
“The group declared its unflinching support for its erudite scholar and illustrious son Mazi Simon Ekpa whose expositions have created lots of awareness to citizens from the Southeast Nigeria on ways to mitigate and protect themselves against Fulani terrorist invaders.
It described Ohaneze Ndigbo as a stooge of the Fulani terrorist government in Nigeria whose actions have led the United States embassy to order families of embassy employees to depart Nigeria due to heightened risk of terrorism in October 2022.
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In her bid to advance the culture and creative economy sector in Nigeria the Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa will officially launch the 54th edition of the Art, Culture, and Creative Economy Summit (CCES)
The event is billed to take place on Monday, August 26th, 2024, at the Ajuji Greenwich Hotel, Abuja.q1
The special adviser on media to the minister Nneka Ikem Anibeze indicated that the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) under the Minister’s leadership, organized the pivotal event to showcase the culture and creative economy sector in Nigeria.
According to the statement the summit will feature the presentation of the Minister’s roadmap for the sector, expected to be adopted by subnational entities, and provide a platform for subnational stakeholders to share their approaches to the Council’s development plan.
“Musawa will also unveil new initiatives and cultural elements essential in promoting peace, unity, integrity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and connectivity across the nation, aligning with the broader goals of NAFEST and other National Cultural celebrations, paving the way for Nigeria’s cultural revival.
Highlights of the meeting will be the deliberation and adoption of the format and syllabus for major national culture events, including the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) and the International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC).
“These discussions will be critical in ensuring the successful planning and execution of MEFA, Nigeria’s Got Talent (NGT), Innovation Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE), Origins, and Creative Leap Accelerated Programme (CLAP).
Key stakeholders, including Commissioners and Directors of the 36 States Councils for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy/History and Culture Bureau, FCT Council for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Sister Parastatals, and the media have been formally invited to participate in this significant event.
The 2-day summit will also feature presentations from other agencies on their strategic roadmaps, as well as innovative ways to unlock financial resources for the sector by multilateral organizations and funding partners.
The Minister’s leadership and vision are driving an 8-point agenda to grow Nigeria’s creative economy through public-private partnerships and strategic investments.
The National Council for Arts and Culture, has unveiled a landmark partnership with, a leading force in Africa’s performance venue sector, Mefa Abuja to launch a comprehensive network of world-class entertainment venues across Nigeria.
NCAC is one of the agencies under the Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy.
The special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze quoted the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Obi Asika to have stated at the signing ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, that the collaboration will deliver six multi-functional venues in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Enugu, and Ibadan
He said it will also provide sustainable income streams for artists, foster a vibrant performance culture, and capitalize on Nigeria’s growing music market.
Asika described the partnership as a groundbreaking milestone, emphasizing its potential to transform Nigeria’s entertainment and sports landscape.
“Today is a historical day for the Council as we sign this MOU to deliver 6 venues across Nigeria, kicking off with Abuja and Lagos, which will provide world class spaces that are multi-functional and that deliver live entertainment and sports and enable capacity building.
“We are delighted to partner with Mefa and look forward to bringing these facilities live to provide more opportunities for all Nigerians”.
“This pioneering initiative solidifies NCAC’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s cultural heritage and providing platforms for emerging talents.
“It aligns with the Ministry’s 8-point plan by promoting strategic partnerships, contributing to GDP growth, and enabling environment.
Earlier, the Co-founder of the partnering company ,Yinka Obebe hailed the partnership, saying it will create a platform for artists to thrive and contribute to the sustainable growth of the entertainment sector.
“Our partnership with the National Council for Arts and Culture marks a significant milestone in our mission to revolutionize Nigeria’s entertainment landscape.
“By establishing these venues and curating regular performances, we are not only creating a platform for artists to thrive but also contributing to the sustainable growth of the industry”.
The initiative includes Mefa’s incubation program, dedicated to developing emerging artists and equipping them to maximize the benefits of their live performance careers.
As a premier institution in Nigeria, NCAC plays a crucial role in advancing the country’s cultural heritage and providing platforms for emerging talents to showcase their work. This partnership cements NCAC’s position as a driving force in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
The Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa has promised to amplify the Iri Ji Ndi Igbo National New Yam Festival to global recognition.
The Minister made the pledge when a delegation of traditional rulers and people from the South East states of the country paid her a courtesy visit in Abuja
Musawa who promised to attend the festival billed for August 31st, 2024 in Igboukwu, Anambra state emphasized the importance of the New Yam Festival, likening it to other internationally renowned festivals. She committed to supporting it to attract global attention, particularly from Nigerians of Igbo descent in the diaspora.
“The Iri Ji Ndi Igbo New Yam Festival is extremely important as the Argungu fishing festival and the Orisha festival as well as all other internationally renowned festivals. The New Yam Festival deserves that same promotion and accolade.
“The New Yam Festival is a vital aspect of Igbo culture, and it is essential that we delve into this rich cultural heritage to showcase Nigeria’s diversity to the world.
“The Ministry is committed to supporting the festival to attract attention from Nigerians of Igbo descent in the diaspora, tapping into the vast resources and potential for cultural exchange.
“To amplify the festival’s global reach, we will work towards involving UNESCO experts in the festival and submitting it for possible enlistment. This will not only highlight the festival’s cultural significance but also contribute to Nigeria’s cultural renaissance.
“Despite funding challenges, the Ministry is committed to making the Iri Ji Ndi Igbo National New Yam Festival a flagship event for Nigerian culture and tourism and we will work tirelessly to ensure its success and recognition globally.”
Earlier, the delegation comprising traditional rulers of the South East states led by HRH Eze Sylvester Onuegbu from Oguta, Imo State called on the Ministry to provide critical support for the success of this year’s festival.
He thanked the ministry, who through one of its agencies, the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation NTDC built the National Yam House in Igboukwu as the national Secretariat for the Festival organizers.
The organizers expressed confidence that with the Ministry’s support, they can make this year’s festival a success and pave the way for future growth and development.
“We are grateful for the Ministry’s past support, but we need more to take this festival to the next level. This festival has suffered a serious setback due to the paucity of funds to enrich its cultural Content and package it to national and international standards. We believe that with the right support, this festival can become a flagship event for Nigerian culture and tourism and enlisted by UNESCO”, said HRH Eze Onuegbu,
In his remarks, the Director General of the National Council of Arts and Culture Obi Asika described the Iri ji New Yam Festival as a global phenomenon.
“All the festivals of Nigeria are our mandate so, Iri Ji is a critical festival for us. We hope to be there on the 31st of August to capture the festival and communicate it at a higher level”.
A Member of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism, Hon Okafor Dominic Ifeanyi also called on the Hon Minister to recommend the festival for budgetary allocation for continuity.
He commended her passion for culture and looked forward to welcoming the Ministry at the grand finale of the Iri Ji festival
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